Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 663: "You, Alice! Everyone thought you were some giant in global design, but in the end, MCN just had to flash some cash, and you sold your soul! Lining your pockets and twisting facts to help crooks-how could you?" Larkin's voice shook, his anger rattling every limb as he kept pointing at Alice. Next, Vance's outrage took center stage. "Ms. Byrd, I can hardly believe this! You've thrown away your reputation for a quick profit?

Is this really how a respected master of international fashion design behaves?" Maia's lips pressed together in a thin line, her stare icy as it swept over the two men. Scorn flickered in her eyes, layered with open mockery. "How pathetic." She didn't bother raising her voice, but the words cut sharply through the tense air and reached every corner of the room.

Without missing a beat, Maia turned their accusations around and retorted, "Larkin, you call yourself president of the Wront Fashion Association, yet here you are-trading your dignity for cash, fabricating rumors, attacking MCN, and twisting the facts. Tell me, do you feel no shame? Does this suit your station as president?" No sooner had Maia spoken than a hush swept over the hall. Tension gripped the crowd. Her comeback landed with absolute precision, leaving everyone awestruck. Speech failed Larkin, and the flush on his cheeks deepened to a furious red.

Even so, surrender was not in his nature. He needed to stir conflict between Alice and Maia before losing all ground. A spark of inspiration lit in his eyes. Larkin snapped his attention to Alice. "Ms. Byrd, have you ever stopped to think Maia might be lying to you? The truth is, she's not Salina at all! Remember her record-Maia's a known thief. She must have swiped Salina's designs more than once and is now parading around, pretending to be her right under your nose!" No sooner had those words left his lips than the entire hall buzzed with hushed whispers and wild guesses.

"That's enough!" Alice's voice sliced through the noise, crisp and unyielding. A steely glare pinned Larkin and Vance where they stood. "Do you really take me for a fool?" Rage boiled beneath Alice's skin, twisting her features in a way that left no doubt about her mood. If Maia's opinion hadn't mattered to her, she would have already unleashed a string of curses on Larkin without a second thought.

gαℓησνs․cо, your storytelling home She did not hesitate when she said, "I have no doubt in my mind that Maia and Salina are the same!" Alice's breathing turned sharp and uneven, her patience wearing dangerously thin. Raising her voice, she said, "Don't act like I haven't figured you out. You never cared about being original or about industry values. Since the very beginning, all you ever wanted was to destroy MCN and take control of the luxury custom fashion market!" There was no attempt to sugarcoat Larkin's agenda as she called him out in front of everyone.

Her tone hardened, cutting through the noise. "Instead of putting in the work and letting your skills speak for themselves, you play dirty. Did you see what Lark Fashion tried to pass off as new designs today? It's embarrassing. No one in their right mind would pay money for this mess!" . . .