Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 51:

The air in the room thickened with tension. Sandra and Richard exchanged bewildered looks, their confusion evident. Jarrod, caught off guard, hesitated.

He’d wanted to say something, but the memory of Maia effortlessly downing an entire bottle of whiskey the previous night at Starlight Bar held him back. He chose silence instead.

Still, as Maia’s brother, it made sense that he would be concerned for her health. But he couldn’t help wondering why Vince was involved at all.

Had Vince forgotten that he had nothing to do with Maia anymore? The woman he was going to marry was Rosanna.

Rosanna’s expression soured, her grip tightening on the glass. Her fingers clenched around the wine glass as she forced an apologetic tone. “Oh really? I didn’t know Maia couldn’t drink,” she replied, forcing the words through a smile.

She set her glass down gently, pressing her lips together as her eyes flicked toward Vince. “Seems you know her better than I do, Vince. I must’ve been mistaken.”

Sandra, sensing the discomfort, quickly interjected. “Oh, sweetheart, that’s all in the past. Vince cares for you above all else. Just look at the gifts he brought you yesterday — almost a hundred thousand dollars’ worth. That’s a love others can only dream of.”

Sandra’s tone was meant to soothe Rosanna, but it was more a show of superiority toward Maia.

After all, Maia had once pursued Vince with fervor, yet he hadn’t so much as glanced her way. Not a single gift had been given.

But now, Rosanna was showered with luxury, and Sandra was eager to flaunt it. Sandra hoped Maia would realize that Vince was now Rosanna’s. All Maia needed to do was give her blessing and step aside.

Maia’s amusement only deepened as she heard Sandra’s words. Her gaze flicked to Vince beside Rosanna, an eyebrow arching in mock surprise. “Wow, nearly a hundred thousand in gifts? Vince, you really are generous.”

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Vince’s gaze darkened, his hand clenched at his side, betraying his discomfort. He understood what Maia was insinuating. Only yesterday, he’d sent her a four-hundred-thousand-dollar bracelet, which she had outright rejected.

Clearing his throat, he replied evenly, “Mrs. Morgan, you’re too kind. Rosanna is my future wife — this is the least I can do.”

At this, Sandra’s face lit up with delight. “Well, what do you think of what I brought up earlier? Shouldn’t you and Rosanna start making plans for the engagement party and the wedding soon?”

Vince gave a nod. “You’re absolutely right, Sandra.”

At that, Rosanna lit up, her face glowing as a wide grin took over.

Then, without warning, Vince turned his attention to Maia. “Maia, what do you think? Got any advice for me?”

She hadn’t been paying attention at all. In her mind, Vince was a chapter that ended four years ago and was never worth reopening. Whatever plans he had with Rosanna were none of Maia’s concern.

At that moment, the only thing Maia cared about was figuring out how to get Rosanna to spill the truth about Vicki’s bracelet.

That sudden question from Vince jolted her. She narrowed her eyes, confused by the shift.

Around them, the entire Morgan family sat in stunned silence.

Rosanna’s grin faded in an instant. She was the one he was going to marry, so why in the world was he seeking Maia’s opinion about their wedding? It hit her then — how Vince had been watching Maia throughout dinner. She remembered how he stopped her from raising a toast to Maia just earlier.noveldrama

Was Vince still clinging to whatever he had with Maia?

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