Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 813: Why Maia? What did that woman have that set her apart? A prison record and four wasted years - Raegan saw nothing in Maia that could rival her own loyalty and accomplishments. Therefore, Raegan refused to believe the leader held any true affection for Maia. She had to be nothing more than a piece on the chessboard, another of the leader's carefully placed shadows. Yet when Raegan glanced down, she saw the deep crescent marks her nails had pressed into her palms. The sudden creak of a door pulled her from her thoughts.

Clouds of steam rolled out from the bathroom, drawing her back to the present. Kiley stepped into the room, her hair still damp as she ran a towel through it, the belt of her bathrobe loosely knotted. With an easy tone, she asked, "So, did you find anything interesting?" At the sound of Kiley's voice, Raegan quickly collected herself. Her response was smooth, carrying no hint of the turmoil she'd just felt. "It could be nothing. Maybe Maia isn't backed by any group after all. Still, this Mr.

M character strikes me as strange." Tapping her slender fingers against the laptop screen, she turned to Kiley with a small, knowing smile and continued, "My guess? He's the one pulling strings for Maia, inventing all these credentials and stories for her. And honestly, I haven't seen any evidence of her painting talent." Raegan rose with practiced grace as she spoke, then reached over to take the towel from Kiley, gently running it through her hair as she added, "So... I doubt your sister will lose to Maia at tomorrow's art competition." Kiley's expression finally relaxed a bit at her words.

Raegan's analysis aligned with her own views, and the doubt that had lingered about Raegan began to fade. Perhaps her initial caution had been misplaced. Experience had taught Kiley that plenty of people approached her with hidden motives, each hoping to use her for their own gain. Yet Raegan stood apart from the rest - just her presence in a room seemed to draw every gaze her way. at ν． There was a quality about her that felt almost otherworldly, a beauty that seemed to belong to some visiting angel.

Kiley struggled to recall the details of their first encounter; the memory was blurred by the immediate bond they had formed, as if two kindred souls had stumbled across... Each other after a long separation. The night slipped by in a haze of laughter and shared drinks, and they had been inseparable ever since. Remarkably, only a month had passed since that fateful evening, one that had arrived with no stars in the sky. Because of this, Kiley kept her guard up - not completely trusting, but more afraid of what it would mean to lose Raegan. "Your reasoning is sharp.

It lines up with my own thoughts," Kiley murmured, her lashes lowering as she spoke. "I'll admit, I'm eager to see what happens. Once Maia is defeated in the contest tomorrow, we can start unraveling her reputation little by little. I wonder - when her back is against the wall, will that elusive Mr. M finally reveal himself to save her?" "If Mr. M is willing to lavish Maia with such expensive gifts, I doubt he'll simply disappear when she's in trouble. Wouldn't you agree?" A gentle tone carried through Kiley's words, but a playful curve hinted at something sharper beneath her smile.

"Anyone, whether Maia or her mysterious benefactor, who crosses paths with the Cooper Group puts everything on the line." . . .