Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 548: Above them, heavy clouds rolled in, swallowing the moon's soft glow. Meanwhile, the guests started welcoming Mariana warmly. Richard and Sandra pushed through the crowd to greet her. No one held it against Mariana for arriving late. If anything, they believed she had missed the earlier excitement. Richard moved forward with a polite tone. "Miss Cooper, it's an honor to have you here. Your presence truly elevates the Morgan family's standing!

The dancing just wrapped up, and now we're about to get to the best part of tonight's celebration - the cake cutting." "Better late than never," Mariana replied with a smile. She then nodded toward the gifts being brought in and added, "But before we begin, may I present my gifts first?" "Right this way, Miss Cooper!" Sandra's beaming smile could have illuminated the entire hall. She was certain that Mariana wouldn't show up empty-handed. Surely, she had brought something grand for Rosanna.

Otherwise, Rosanna would feel quite overshadowed tonight, especially since she hadn't received many gifts compared to Maia. As Rosanna's mother, Sandra couldn't bear the thought of her daughter being overlooked entirely this evening. Walking alongside Mariana, Sandra glanced at the two large items being carried behind her and said softly, "Miss Cooper, it's already wonderful that you've come. Why go through the trouble of bringing such enormous gifts?

Rosanna's going to be absolutely delighted." Rosanna, who had been quietly following them, tugged at her mother's sleeve and whispered, "Mom, don't say that. I'm sure Mariana brought something for both me and Maia, so Maia will be happy too." Sandra paused, caught off guard by her daughter's thoughtfulness. Even after spending the evening in Maia's shadow, Rosanna showed not a hint of jealousy. Sandra's heart swelled with pride. Her daughter was kind to the core. govέ. m "Mrs. Morgan, today is both Rosanna and Maia's birthday. How could I not come?" Mariana said modestly.

"Besides, these gifts are just a small token of my appreciation. They're not particularly valuable." No one took her modest words at face value. The extravagance of the gifts couldn't be ignored. Each box was so large that it required help to carry, radiating pure luxury. The size alone made it clear that they were anything but ordinary presents. There was also a second, unusually shaped package - broad yet oddly slim. Guests began whispering, their curiosity and envy swirling as they speculated about what could possibly be inside Mariana's lavish gifts.

Just then, Claudius appeared behind Mariana, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Mariana, what are you doing here?" His words sounded half-annoyed, half-concerned, though only a few could sense the worry hidden beneath. Most, however, only noticed how highly the Cooper Group seemed to value Maia. If both the heir and the eldest daughter had come in person, it spoke volumes. Still, a few couldn't help but wonder. While everyone knew that Mariana and Rosanna were close, things between Mariana and Maia had always been less than friendly.

At the Cooper Group gala, Maia had put Mariana on the spot in front of everyone, but the family had managed to hush things up just in time. Thanks to their quick cover-up, most of the mid-tier families remained completely unaware of the old resentments simmering between the two women. If Mariana had shown up with a single present, everyone would have assumed it was for Rosanna. However, bringing two gifts made it clear that one was meant for Maia. Now, everyone was buzzing, eager to find out what Mariana had chosen for Maia and whether Maia would even accept it.

When Claudius' familiar voice rang out behind her, Mariana turned with a dazzling grin. "Oh, so you're allowed to make an entrance, but I'm not? I'm just here with gifts, nothing more!" She shot Maia a knowing look, mischief flickering in her eyes. Leaning closer, she lowered her voice and teased her brother, "Claudius, you definitely made quite an entrance tonight. Any idea what you'll tell Father once you're back home?" . . .