Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 867: Vince staggered back a few steps before regaining his balance. Chris stood firm, an unyielding barrier between Vince and Maia, who lingered just beyond, her silhouette framed by the neon glow of the city street. An illegitimate son of the Cooper family dared to stand in his way? The thought burned through Vince's mind, stoking the fire in his bloodshot eyes. He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms as he fought the urge to swing. "Maia," he pleaded, voice cracking like a man gasping for his last breath, "why won't you look at me? I've changed. I swear it.

I'd marry you - give up everything for you." Murmurs rippled through the gathering crowd, a sea of curious faces illuminated by the flicker of phone screens. Some snapped photos, their whispers buzzing like static. Maia, the rising star, was a magnet for attention, and this public unraveling was pure gold. Seeing the situation escalate, Maia reluctantly stopped in her tracks. She turned, her expression cold as winter frost. "Vince," she said, each word clipped and deliberate, "we've been done for years. Stop harassing me." Vince's shoulders slumped, but only for a moment.

His gaze darted to Chris, venom lacing his tone as he jabbed a finger in his direction. "Is it because of him? This... nobody?" He sneered, his voice rising to a fevered pitch. "A social outcast of the Cooper family. You're falling for his lies, Maia! That Rolls-Royce he's flaunting? Borrowed. He's got nothing. I'm the heir to the Ward family - me!" Chris's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing to slits. Vince's tirade grew wilder, his voice a snarl. "You think you can play the Cooper heir, huh? Deceiving her with your pathetic act?

I'll rip that mask off your face!" Hearing that, Maia could no longer stand it. She stopped, turning to Vince, who was now out of control, disregarding his image and verging on hysteria. "Enough!" g‎‎‎‎‎ν‎‎‎‎.‎ⅽ‎‎ Her voice cut through the noise, sharp and unyielding. She stepped closer, her gaze locking onto Vince's. "I won't let you slander Chris. I know exactly who he is - more than you ever will. If you're unraveling, get help. A psychiatrist, maybe. But I've said it before, and I'll say it again: there's nothing left between us." Her words struck Vince like a physical blow.

He staggered, eyes wide with disbelief, as if seeing her for the first time. "You... you knew all along?" His voice trembled, barely above a whisper. "Then why still choose him?" Maia's expression didn't soften. "Don't assume everyone's as shallow as you are," she said, her tone laced with disdain. "You chase profit, power, status. That's not love. You'll never understand what it means to truly win someone's heart." She turned, her heels clicking sharply as she moved to leave. "I'm done here.

Keep this up, and I'll call the police for harassment." Vince stood rooted to the spot, his body quaking - not with anger, but with something darker, more unhinged. His bloodshot eyes followed her retreating figure, a predator tracking prey. His lips twitched, a grotesque parody of a smile. "Maia," he whispered, the name slithering from his mouth like a curse, "you're mine. No one else's... only mine. I will definitely win you over and never let you go." A jolt ran through Vince as he jerked his head up, red-rimmed eyes catching the light, an unnatural grin pulling at his mouth.

Without warning, he lunged forward, and Maia and Chris watched in stunned disbelief as he yanked open the front of his jacket. . . .