Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 43:

The moment Pattie saw her, she clasped her hand tightly, her eyes welling up. “You were beyond amazing just now, Maia!” She dabbed at a stray tear and mischievously added, “I swear, next time I run into Brielle, I’m teasing her relentlessly. How did she ever hit number one when she can’t hold a candle to your voice?”

“Don’t tease her too much. She gets embarrassed easily.” Maia laughed softly as she sank into her chair, her hand gripping the table slightly. The whiskey from earlier was making itself known. She felt a wave of dizziness come over her.

Pattie noticed something was off. She leaned in and sniffed. “You’ve been drinking?”

“Only a bit.”

Pattie’s smile vanished as she stared at her. “Since when do you even drink? Who were you with?”noveldrama

Trying to brush it off lightly, Maia smiled faintly. “Someone praised me and insisted on raising a glass. It seemed rude to decline.”

Noticing Maia’s flushed face, Pattie concluded that her friend had indeed had more than enough. Concerned, she said, “Come on, I’ll drive you home.” Maia gave a quiet nod. She didn’t feel like staying, not with Jarrod still lurking around.

Right as they were getting to their feet, a man in a sharp suit blocked their path, wearing a polished smile that meant business.

“Ms. Miller,” he said with a courteous smile.

Realizing that it was Starlight Bar’s manager, Pattie immediately adopted her most professional attitude, standing a bit straighter. “Jack, what can I help you with?”

With a soft laugh, Jack Morris looked over at Maia standing next to Pattie. She might have been with her, but he couldn’t recall ever seeing her before. He assumed that she was one of Pattie’s newest discoveries. Someone fresh, someone talented.

“Your friend delivered an unforgettable performance of ‘One More Day,'” Jack said earnestly. “I’d love for her to become a regular performer here.”

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Pattie raised an eyebrow and looked at Maia.

Feeling somewhat tipsy, Maia replied politely, “I appreciate it. But I’m going to have to pass.”

Not one to give up quickly, Jack leaned in a little. “Don’t worry. The pay’s not going to disappoint you. This is what I’m putting on the table per night!” He held up five fingers.

Five grand per night. Not bad at all for a newcomer.

He expected excitement. Maybe even immediate acceptance.

To his surprise, Maia shook her head. “Thank you, sir, but I’ll have to turn it down.”

Surprise flickered in Jack’s eyes before he pulled himself together. “So, you’re a friend of Ms. Miller’s. Let me be sincere. How does ten thousand a night sound? Same rate I give the stars.”

A figure like that would’ve drawn in more than a few fading stars hoping for one last shot. Offering a deal like that to someone without a name? Unthinkable.

And yet, Maia simply answered with a composed smile, “It’s really not about the money, sir.”

The offer should’ve stunned any singer, but she didn’t flinch. Jack was taken aback. Her voice wasn’t just good. It was something else entirely — better than anything he’d heard, even from his biggest stars. If she ended up performing at a rival bar, Starlight would be in real trouble. They had plenty of cash but not enough talent.

Frustration tightening his jaw, Jack pressed once more. “Fifty thousand. That’s the kind of money we reserve for stars. If you refuse this, people will say you’re being unreasonable.”

Maia gave him a half-smile, her words steady despite the lingering haze of alcohol. “To be honest, I’ve served time. I just got out. Aren’t you worried I’ll hurt your bar’s reputation?”

Jack’s eyes widened.

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