Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 545: The guests standing closest froze, their faces a mix of shock and awkward realization. "Look at that seal... It's legitimate. Stamped by Cooper Group. So that really is Angel's Tear..." "Heavens! Who is this Mr. M anyway? With money like that, he might even outrank the Coopers! Maybe he's from one of those elite families in Drakmire?" The words sliced through the doubters like a winter gust, leaving them red-faced and speechless. Richard felt his knees wobble. The weight of regret pressed down harder than ever.

If only the Morgan family had treated Maia with decency - if they hadn't cast her aside - maybe they would have had a stake in all this fortune too. Sandra drew several sharp breaths in a row, her chest heaving as she struggled to steady herself. The shock from the documents nearly sent her to the floor. She had braced herself for drama tonight, but this? This was seismic. She never, not even in her wildest speculations, imagined that Maia had such a powerful backer. A single gift-just one-had flipped her entire worldview on its head. From a distance, Jarrod stood frozen.

His teeth sank into his bottom lip without thinking, an old, nervous habit from years ago. The Maia he remembered-the woman he once watched walk away in shackles-was gone. Four years in prison had reshaped her, hardened her, and elevated her. To Maia now, he was probably just background noise. The whole Morgan family, for that matter-dust in the rearview mirror. Yet they still fantasized about Maia kneeling down to apologize, begging to return to the Morgan family. Jarrod couldn't help but laugh, the gift in his hand slowly slipping and falling heavily to the floor.

Across the room, the masked man stepped forward. With both hands, he lifted the gemstone high and offered it to Maia. G aln ove ls . com has stories you'll love "Miss Watson," he said with elegance and calm, "it now belongs to you." Maia blinked, unsure she had heard correctly. Was he... actually giving it to her? She stared at the gem-the Angel's Tear-so close that she could see the shimmer ripple inside it like a living flame. It was breathtaking. For her, being able to see the Angel's Tear gemstone up close was already enough, fulfilling one of her small wishes.

She stepped back gently and shook her head. "I'm sorry, this is far too valuable," she said, her voice steady but sincere. "And I don't even know who Mr. M is. I truly can't accept this. But please thank him for me-for the incredible performance tonight, and for letting me see the Angel's Tear up close." The words fell like a hammer in the room. A sharp collective gasp echoed from the young women nearby. She said what? She didn't know Mr. M? That couldn't be right. Who would give such a luxurious and extravagant gift to someone they didn't know?

But after their earlier embarrassment, no one dared to say a word out loud. Pride had already slapped them once tonight-they would not risk another. Only Rosanna, cheeks flushed and eyes glossy, stared at Maia in disbelief. Why would this woman refuse something like that? If it had been her, she would have clung to it like a lifeline. The masked man offered no argument. As if expecting the refusal, he gave a knowing smile and calmly placed the Angel's Tear back inside its box. Then, with the poise of an old-world gentleman, he turned to Maia.

One hand on his abdomen, the other tucked behind him, he bowed low. "Ms. Watson, Mr. M anticipated this response. Therefore..." His lips curled into another smile beneath the edge of his silver halfmask. His tone was gentle, almost teasing. "I will follow his instructions and deposit the Angel's Tear gemstone at the Bank of Wront. Only you will have the authority to access it." He bowed once more and added, "Mr. M's gifts have now all been delivered. I must take my leave." . . .