Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 699: He leaned in a little, eyes locked on her face, which was clearly trying not to crack up. Tilting his head, he said, "If my looks are that impressive, maybe I should start charging people to admire me. Think I could live off my face?" Maia took one look at his dangerously charming expression and lifted her brows teasingly. "Why not? Word on the street is people are lining up just to be your sponsor!" With that, she spun around and headed toward the couch with a satisfied little sway. Chris trailed right behind her, settling down next to her on the couch.

He let out a quiet chuckle and said, "Well, for now, you're the one footing the bill. And hey - I've got a code of conduct." His voice was warm, with a playful edge. His eyes sparkled, full of mischief. "Plus, I can't have you losing sleep over me, darling." Maia's heart skipped a beat as those words hit her. Every time he called her "darlin'," it carried a possessiveness that she couldn't quite resist. Trying to keep her cool, she turned her face away and replied in a hushed tone, "Who'd waste time worrying about you?" After a beat, curiosity got the better of her.

She glanced back and asked, "But seriously, how did you pull it off? Getting Mr. Payne involved couldn't have been easy. That was no small favor. And there's no way he would be willing to help me just out of his kindness." Chris gave a casual shrug and lifted his hands. "I just had to be stubborn and smooth-talk him!" Maia shot him a skeptical look from the side, her tone tinged with irritation. "You really think I'm buying that? If you don't want to explain, just say so. Actually, I-" Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly felt an arm wrap tightly around her waist.

And before she had time to react, Chris had already pulled her into his arms. Chris leaned close to Maia and whispered, "Already upset? Alright, I'll be straight with you." Maia raised one brow and replied, "Fine, go on." Chris kept his voice steady. "It's simpler than you think. I once pulled Maxwell out of a tight spot, so he's in my debt." Latest stories on gαℓησvℯs․com Chris wasn't lying. Half a decade ago, he had indeed rescued Maxwell, which explained why Maxwell stuck by him and trusted him. Maia studied Chris's face carefully.

Noticing his relaxed manner, steady eyes, and natural tone, she believed he was telling the truth. Still, a flicker of worry crept over her. Chris, a chauffeur, had been shot and had saved Maxwell. It seemed like he was living dangerously, balancing on a razor's edge where one slip could mean disaster. She knitted her delicate brows and asked, "You didn't take a bullet meant for Maxwell, did you?" . . .