Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 445:

“Why bother with a birthday party now when I never got one in the first place?” Maia said flatly. “We’ve already gone our separate ways, haven’t we? Rosanna is your real daughter, so just throw a party for her.”

Richard’s fingers curled slightly, and a flicker of discomfort crossed his face. “It was all a big mix-up back then. Rosanna still sees you as her sister. She feels guilty that you’ve spent all these years locked up without ever having a real birthday celebration with us. She’s the one who suggested celebrating together. I’ve already sat down with your mother and sister to clear the air. So why are you still holding on to the past?”

He paused, then spoke more gently, his voice steady. “Maia, I showed up today because I want you to leave the past behind. It’s time we all moved forward. If you’re ready, the Morgans are more than ready to take you back.”

Maia met Richard’s gaze with icy composure, her expression unreadable. Beneath that calm exterior, she had already unraveled every layer of his carefully constructed scheme.

The birthday party was Rosanna’s idea, and it carried an unmistakable air of manipulation. Richard’s shrewdness as a businessman was evident in every move he made.

Maia was well aware of the dire situation the Morgan family was in. She had known that they’d come crawling the moment her true identity was exposed. The Morgans would eventually approach her, attempting to pressure her into a relationship to benefit from her.

Unfortunately for them, they weren’t very clever.

Richard likely believed that his words would sway her, but Maia was no longer the naive girl she’d been four years ago. She had long since stopped caring about the Morgan family.

But Maia knew that if she refused today, they would surely create a scene, spreading rumors and playing the victims. They’d claim that they’d tried everything, only for Maia to be ungrateful and hostile, using the public to elevate the Morgans while dragging her name through the mud.noveldrama

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It was a strategy that gave them the option to strike or pull back, leaving her no way to refuse.

Maia glanced up at Richard. She had to admit that he was a bit smarter than Sandra and Rosanna, but not by much.

Richard swallowed, his nerves showing. “Maia, I’m personally inviting you. Why hesitate? Wouldn’t it be better for our family to be united? I’ve been focused on business and neglected you, but I’m here now to make it up to you.”

Seeing Maia still silent, Richard grew uneasy. Truly, she was ungrateful!

Just as he was about to speak again, Maia cut him off. “Fine. I’ll attend.”

“That’s better. I’ll leave now. Look forward to the party; this time, we’ll celebrate as a family.” Richard loosened his clenched fists and walked out.

He was glad their conversation had been private. If there had been anyone else in the conference room, he wouldn’t have been so humble.

Regardless, Maia’s agreement was all that mattered. The future of the Morgan family rested on her shoulders. Maia was their key to prosperity, an endless reservoir of wealth.

As Richard’s figure disappeared, Maia felt a flicker of disappointment. No, in fact, she had stopped expecting anything from them long ago—so how could she be disappointed?

She knew that the Morgan family had never truly cared for her. Their so-called birthday celebration was nothing more than a facade to exploit her.

Maia’s gaze lingered on the bustling traffic below through the floor-to-ceiling window, a wicked smile creeping onto her lips.

It seemed the Morgans hadn’t been humiliated enough, daring to approach her again.

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