Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 637: Not far off, another figure had seen it all. From a distance, Melanie watched the exchange unfold. Her eyes narrowed, her fists clenched in silent fury. Without a word, she turned away and climbed into her car, never looking back. A storm of accusations swept the internet that day, branding Maia a plagiarist. Melanie's cousin, Mariana, fueled the fire with an Instagram post, setting a pile of MCN's clothes ablaze in a public spectacle, her caption a veiled jab calling Maia a thief.

Larkin's evidence, meticulously laid out, left little room for doubt: Maia's designs mirrored those of an overseas fashion designer, stitch for stitch. The revelation hit Melanie like a punch, shattering the fragile respect she had begun to build for Maia. Disgust coiled in her chest. She constantly reminded herself that a woman as deceitful as Maia was utterly unworthy of her father. The Cooper Group, her father's pride, would never stand for such a person, either. Melanie vowed to shield her father from ridicule, her resolve hardening like steel.

Stepping into the house, she caught her father's voice drifting from the living room, warm and steady. "Ms. Watson, you have my full trust in this matter. If you need any support, just say the word." Melanie froze. "Ms. Watson? He's speaking to Maia?" Her father's words echoed in her mind, each syllable stoking her anger. The audacity of Maia, worming her way into her father's good graces after such a scandal, set Melanie's blood boiling. Melanie's suspicions hardened into certainty - Maia was cunning, no doubt about it.

Even now, she was trying to manipulate her father, wrapping him around her finger like a puppet. She would never let that happen - not on her watch. Unbeknownst to Melanie, it was Hurst who had reached out to Maia. News of the plagiarism allegations had prompted him to call, offering his help with genuine concern. Over the phone, Maia's voice remained calm, tinged with gratitude. "I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Cooper, but I can handle this on my own." Hurst, respecting her resolve, ended the call and turned toward the kitchen for a glass of water.

That was when he noticed Melanie standing across the room, her face shadowed, eyes blazing like embers. "Melanie?" gⱯlnσνℓs․cøm is a world of wonder Hurst's brow furrowed, concern etching his features. "Is something wrong? Did something happen at school?" She strode toward him, her steps deliberate. "Were you just talking to... "Maia?" Her voice cut through the air, sharp and accusing. Hurst blinked, caught off guard, then nodded. "Yes, why?" Her father's casual admission snapped something inside her. "Dad, Maia's a public disgrace! The evidence of her plagiarism is undeniable.

Why are you still defending her?" Melanie's hands clenched into fists as she continued, her voice rising, "Don't tell me you're actually... interested in her?" Hurst's eyes widened, shock giving way to a stern frown. "Focus on your studies, Melanie, not this nonsense." To Melanie, his sharp tone felt like a confession, as if she'd struck a nerve. . . .