Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 73: Maxwell didn't spare him another glance. He turned to one of his men and gave a cold order. "Cut off all ten of his fingers and toss him out of the black market. If he ever sets foot here again, you know what to do."

"What? Cut off all my fingers?" Panic ripped through Denny's mind.

Without thinking, Denny collapsed to his knees, clutching Maxwell's pant leg like a drowning man grabbing driftwood. "Mr. Payne, please! I was wrong! I swear, I've learned my lesson! Just give me another chance! I'll never do it again!"

Cold and unmoved, Maxwell shoved Denny away with a hard kick and flicked the dust from his pants. "You knew the rules. Break them, and you pay the price." No amount of begging was going to buy Denny forgiveness. Maxwell's men closed in without hesitation, dragging Denny toward the exit. A sharp, bloodcurdling scream shattered the heavy air moments later, sending a ripple of dread across the entire Underbarrel.

Vincenzo's body shook so badly that he almost collapsed. His head stayed bowed, too terrified to even glance up.

At first, Maxwell looked ready to speak, his gaze cutting toward Vincenzo. But then his eyes caught Maia standing nearby.

Most people would have flinched at that scream. Maia, though, stood still as stone, watching it all unfold like it had nothing to do with her.

Curious, Maxwell tilted his head slightly. Anyone who had survived Wront's prison, he thought, wouldn't be scared easily.

A soft chuckle escaped him as he made his way toward Maia, narrowing his eyes just a little. "Miss, since you're the one who uncovered this whole mess, why don't you decide the owner's fate?"

Straightening her posture, Maia brushed off his suggestion with a cool air of indifference. Instead, she strolled over to Vincenzo and asked in a steady voice, "Have you seen the bracelet?"

For a moment, Vincenzo just blinked at her, stunned.

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He quickly found his tongue and shook his head. "Miss, that bracelet isn't here." Maia's brow furrowed slightly. "You're certain?"

Rubbing his sweaty palms against his pants, Vincenzo answered, "I may run The Underbarrel, but I'm a serious collector too. Rare artifacts, hidden treasures - this market sees it all, and I know every piece that crosses my path. The bracelet you're talking about? That's no common trinket. If it showed up here, I would have known."

A shadow passed over Maia's eyes.

So, Rosanna had lied to her again.

Slowly, Maia's fingers curled into tight fists. A cold, mocking smile played at the corner of her mouth.

"Rosanna, I've already warned you. If you keep pushing me, I'll make sure you answer for every single lie," Maia muttered to herself.

With no reason to stay any longer, Maia softly thanked Vincenzo and turned to leave.

Just as she reached the door, Maxwell's voice called out, pulling her back. "You still haven't told me what to do about Vincenzo!"

At the sound, Maia stopped, pivoting slowly to face him. Her eyes dropped to Vincenzo, who was still shaking like a leaf. Her voice stayed steady and cool. "He really didn't know. You can't punish someone for ignorance."

The second her words landed, Vincenzo crumpled with relief, sinking into a deep bow. "Miss, I owe you my life. If you ever need anything-anything at all-I'll come running!"

Off to the side, Maxwell's gaze followed Maia's retreating figure, the weight of his stare sharpening.

No matter how he looked at it, Chris' wife was not the simple woman she pretended to be.

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