Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 921: At the same time, a figure lurking in the shadows near Elysium Apartments quietly tailed Maia as well. He was none other than the private eye, Cade. At Elysium Apartments, sunlight shimmered off a sleek silver Maserati, scattering flashes across the polished parking lot like dancing mercury. Maia emerged from the stairwell with calm precision. Dressed in a tailored black suit that cut a commanding silhouette, she radiated effortless confidence.

She slid into the driver's seat of the luxury sports car, adjusted the seat and mirror with the ease of someone who had done it a thousand times-but didn't start the engine right away. Instead, she pulled out her phone and typed a quick reply to Claudius: "Sure. Let's meet in two hours at Starlight Café, right next to the MCN building." Message sent, she tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, started the car, and rolled out of the apartment complex with graceful control. Sunlight streamed through the side window, outlining her features in a crisp, elegant profile.

She looked focused and unbothered. What she didn't notice, however, was the black Rolls-Royce Phantom that purred to life just moments after she drove off. Inside, Chris steered with one hand while the other draped casually over the window frame, his eyes locked on the gleaming silver Maserati ahead. He followed at a measured pace, always twenty yards behind. Even when Maia began weaving through slower cars, Chris glided after her like a shadow, never breaking his rhythm. "Not bad," he muttered, amused. "She's been practicing." He tapped the accelerator, keeping pace with ease.

His calm belied the calculation behind his every move. She was headed to MCN-likely for work-then a meeting with Claudius. Traffic thickened, but Chris adjusted effortlessly. The Phantom moved with the confidence of a predator. Further back, a black Buick surged through traffic, trying to catch up. Inside, Cade was growing impatient. "Slow down! Follow that Rolls-Royce Phantom!" he barked from the back seat. : Ɐν⸬ His assistant glanced at him through the rearview mirror, confusion plain on his face. "Sir, shouldn't we be following Maia? She's in that limited-edition Maserati.

If I don't floor it, we'll lose her." Cade shot him a glare. "Shut up. Do you want to be spotted? Believe me, if you go after her car, her bodyguard will clock us immediately. Play it smart. Follow the Phantom-Maia's bodyguard." The assistant hesitated, then his eyes widened in realization. "Wait... you think the guy in the Phantom is her bodyguard?" "Of course he is! Were you even paying attention earlier? How could you miss that Maia has a bodyguard?" Cade was nearing the edge of his patience, silently wishing his assistant possessed even a hint of his own sharp instincts.

"Keep your distance. We can't afford to be seen." Cade frowned, his thoughts turning bitter. Maia's Maserati already drew enough attention, but her bodyguard in a Rolls-Royce Phantom? That was overkill. At times like this, Cade couldn't help but think he was in the wrong line of work. Private investigation paid peanuts. Bodyguards for the rich? That was a goldmine. Meanwhile, across town, Claudius was aimlessly cruising through Wront's bustling downtown in his custom Porsche, the engine purring beneath him. Though the A/C hummed gently, his palms were slick with sweat.

"I'm driving around like an idiot," he grumbled. "What am I even doing?" His phone buzzed. He glanced down. Maia had replied to his message: "Sure. Let's meet in two hours at Starlight Café, just next to the MCN building." . . .