Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 681: Richard's anger boiled over. "Where the hell are the security guards? Get this lunatic off the stage!" When no one moved, he whirled toward Larkin, his voice sharp with command. "Larkin, what are you waiting for? Remove this man immediately!" Larkin met Richard's gaze, and something cold flickered in his eyes before spreading into a bitter smile. The fog of deception finally lifted from his mind. That night, Richard had deliberately shown him those photographs-bait in an elaborate trap.

Richard had used Lark Fashion as his weapon to destroy Maia with plagiarism accusations, knowing exactly how it would play out. Larkin had been nothing more than Richard's disposable pawn. "You manipulative bastard!" Larkin's voice cracked with fury. "You played me like a fool!" With his company's reputation already in ruins, dignity became a luxury he could no longer afford. His voice rose to a shout that echoed through the stunned auditorium. "Richard, you snake! You claimed to love Maia like a daughter, then fed me Alice's designs, making me believe that Maia was a plagiarist.

Everything you've done has been calculated to destroy her!" Maxwell's patience finally snapped. "Hey, hey, hey! Are you two finished with this soap opera? I don't have time to watch you tear each other apart." He scratched behind his ear with irritation. He had to admit that Richard had a talent for misdirection. Just when the crucial moment arrived, Richard managed to create chaos. Maxwell's gaze cut through Larkin like a blade. "Shut up." Recognition dawned in Larkin's eyes, and the color drained from his face. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as his voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Mr.

Payne?" Maxwell offered him the briefest of nods. "So you do know who I am. Then keep quiet." Larkin's hands flew to his mouth, clamping over his lips as if to trap any words that might escape. The crowd erupted in fresh murmurs of confusion. How could a seasoned businessman like Larkin, well past fifty, cower before someone so young? . The deference in his tone had been unmistakable. What kind of power did this stranger wield? Those big shots who knew him whispered his name with a mixture of awe and fear. This was Maxwell Payne, the shadow king of the black market.

Every illicit deal, every forbidden transaction flowed through his network, and crossing him meant courting destruction. Whispers claimed that above even Maxwell lurked a crime syndicate boss who controlled Wront's entire underworld. When someone of his stature chose to speak, silence became the only safe response. . . .