Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 592: Pattie often steered the conversation toward Roland, while Elvira kept shifting it back to Maia - sending subtle signals to Roland as her eyes flicked to Maia. "Roland, this dish is delicious!" she said, her tone loaded with meaning. He caught on and offered Maia a bite. Pattie's eyebrow arched. "Looks delicious," she murmured. "I'd like to try it, too." A surge of unease hit Elvira - her instincts screamed that Pattie was interested in Roland. And that was something Elvira would never allow.

"Pattie, let me help with that!" Elvira stood swiftly, reaching out to place the dish on Pattie's plate. After that, instead of sitting down, she stayed standing, deciding to subtly warn Pattie against dreaming about her brother, Roland. She pulled a rare, old medical book from her bag and handed it to Maia. "Happy birthday, Maia! You always said you wanted an ancient medical text, right? I went through a lot to find this rare edition. Hope you like it." Her words paused as she noticed Roland still spaced out beside her, leaving her momentarily speechless. She shot him a sharp look.

"Roland, didn't you prepare a gift for Maia yesterday, too? Show us!" He hesitated, pressed his lips together, then pulled a small square box from his bag. Pattie's eyebrows twitched - something about that box screamed "ring." Maia caught the tension too, curling her fingers instinctively, remembering Roland's talk about marriage, her breath catching. "Maia, happy birthday," Roland said softly as he opened the box slowly. Both Maia and Pattie sighed with relief at what they saw inside - a pair of pearl earrings. Elvira blinked, confused. She had clearly put a ring in this box secretly.

How did it end up being earrings? ν⧸ⅽ Maia smiled, holding the gift, and looked at both of them. "Thank you for the presents. I really love them." Suddenly, Pattie stood without a word and grabbed Maia's arm. "Maia, come with me to the restroom." Before Maia could say anything, Pattie had already pulled her up and away. Once they left, the atmosphere in the private room tightened. Elvira crossed her arms and fixed a sharp look on Roland. "Roland, this wasn't how we planned it, right? Weren't you supposed to confess your feelings to Maia? Where's the ring?" His face didn't change.

He was always careful, and luckily, he had double-checked the gift before coming. "She's already married, and it isn't appropriate for me to give her a ring gift, especially with Pattie around," he said calmly. Elvira was rendered speechless. It was a total flop! Frustration and anger swirled inside her. Didn't having Pattie here make it better? She wanted Pattie to get the message that Roland's heart belonged elsewhere, to stop her from chasing him. Outside the room, Pattie guided Maia to the far end of the corridor, making sure no one could overhear their conversation.

The night was quiet beneath the moonlight, the lake sparkling softly with ripples. Pattie leaned against the railing, a questioning look in her eyes. "Maia, what's going on with Elvira? She's been playing matchmaker for you and Roland all along, hasn't she?" . . .