Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 523: "Are you blind to Mr. Cooper presenting Rosanna's gift? Your obliviousness is astounding. Stand aside." With benefits at stake, Richard abandoned all pretense of cordiality toward Maia. Henceforth, Rosanna and Claudius commanded his undivided loyalty. Maia shot Richard a disapproving look. When he had invited her before, he was all smiles, but now that he had secured ties with Cooper Group, his attitude had changed completely. The Morgan family members were just as she had imagined-only interested in benefits.

When Maia remained rooted in place, Richard prepared another rebuke, but Sandra intervened. "Richard, calm yourself. The room bristles with guests. Simply disregard her." Stacy observed this exchange with cruel amusement, unable to resist jabbing. "Maia's behavior reveals pure envy of Rosanna's achievements. Such pettiness!" Her cutting remark directed a wave of judgmental glances toward Maia from the surrounding guests. With Claudius approaching Rosanna, clearly for a proposal, Maia's presence seemed a deliberate intrusion.

What justification did she have for positioning herself there, if not to steal the spotlight? Was she plotting to lure Claudius away, reprising her tactics with Vince? Dream on! Amid the collective scorn from onlookers, Claudius advanced toward Rosanna. Barely containing her eagerness, Rosanna crafted her features into what she considered her most captivating smile, her voice honeyed as she murmured, "Mr. Cooper..." In a twist that stunned everyone present, Claudius turned away from her and walked purposefully toward Maia, stopping directly in front of her.

Maia looked up at him with genuine confusion, her bewilderment reflected in the widened eyes of every guest watching the scene unfold. Claudius smiled warmly at her. "Ms. Watson, happy birthday! Did you enjoy the fireworks display and the illuminated wishes on the building facade? The song Enchanted was created especially for you. I believe you understand its meaning more deeply than anyone else here." Check full story at gον. ⓒ A profound silence fell over the hall. It was so complete that you could hear the slightest rustle of fabric.

The guests stood motionless, too shocked to speak or even breathe. What did Claudius just say? The viral Twitter song, the spectacular fireworks, the breathtaking projections on the mining company's facade - none were intended for Rosanna! They were birthday gifts for Maia? How could this be possible?! Wasn't Maia already bound in marriage? Could Claudius' prolonged bachelorhood stem from harboring feelings for another man's wife? A collective realization dawned across the assembly. Stacy stood paralyzed with disbelief. History repeated itself.

First, Vince slipped through Rosanna's fingers, and now Claudius gravitated toward Maia instead? Impossible! She glanced anxiously at Rosanna, worrying her lip between her teeth, searching desperately for words of consolation that wouldn't come. The color drained from Rosanna's face, her breath coming in shallow, violent bursts. Her mind refused to accept what her ears had just heard. Claudius wasn't here for her? He was here for Maia? Why, then, had he accepted her carefully crafted invitation?

To create such an extravagant celebration for Maia during what should have been their shared spotlight - how was this anything but calculated humiliation? . . .