Chapter 16
Chapter 16:
The sales associate, shocked by what she had just heard, instinctively took a step back, and her gaze toward Maia shifted.
When Maia turned to see who was behind her, she found Rosanna standing there. Beside her was a woman wobbling on high heels, her makeup bold enough to be seen from across the mall.
“Come on, Stacy. Please don’t say things like that — she’s my sister.” With a light tug on Stacy Bennett’s sleeve, Rosanna spoke gently, her tone unsure as her eyes flicked toward Maia. “This is a surprise, Maia — I didn’t think I’d see you here. Stacy’s a good friend of mine, but she tends to speak without thinking. If she upset you, I’m truly sorry for her. Please don’t take it to heart p>
Without Maia saying a single word, Rosanna managed to play the victim — like she’d been the one hurt all along.
Watching the scene unfold, Stacy immediately stepped in front of Rosanna like a self-appointed bodyguard. “Why are you apologizing to her, Rosanna? What did I say that wasn’t true? She had the audacity to commit a crime and then pretend she was the victim p>
With a sigh and a look of concern, Rosanna said, “Stacy, come on. Maia knows she made a mistake. Let’s not drag it all up again p>
“You’re too forgiving for your own good!” Stacy huffed, frustration bubbling up. “Your family cut her off completely, yet you still insist on seeing her as your sister? Have you forgotten how she betrayed you? She was terrified you’d come back and take her place, so she stole Radiant Jewels’ most prized piece and tried to make it look like you did it. If people hadn’t sided with you, she’d still be out here living like royalty while you rotted in a cell p>
Maia let out a dry, humorless laugh.
It amazed her how effortlessly Rosanna could twist the truth, how convincingly she could portray herself as the innocent.
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Maia found herself wondering how these same people would react when Rosanna’s carefully crafted mask finally slipped.
When Rosanna dared to look up and meet Maia’s eyes, she quickly looked away again, guilt flickering across her face.
“Maia spent seventeen years in my home. Took on all the expectations that were meant for me. Maybe she just couldn’t accept my return, afraid that I would take p>
“Back to her happy life as a Morgan, so she acted impulsively. Four years is a long time to reflect. I believe she’s changed,” Rosanna said, her voice trailing off.
Something about Maia felt completely different now, even after four years apart. Her gaze stayed calm, untouched by emotion, but the coldness in her eyes sent a shiver down Rosanna’s spine.
Something in Maia’s eyes — sharp and unblinking — felt like a predator stalking prey in the dark, and it sent a cold shiver crawling down Rosanna’s spine.
“Changed, really?” Stacy scoffed, eyes narrowing at Maia with contempt. She tilted her head, full of disdain. “She just got out of jail and already thinks she can walk into a luxury store like she belongs here. Does she think she’s still a Morgan? Where would she even get the money to afford something like that? And now she thinks it’s okay to try on MCN’s most coveted dress p>
With a cold chuckle, Stacy stepped closer to Maia. “Right, I keep forgetting — you’ve been locked away for four years. You have no clue what’s going on. That dress? It’s worth more than your entire life’s savings. Even if you sold everything you have, it still wouldn’t be enough p>
They had shown up today for a reason. Word had spread that this boutique might be displaying that particular dress, and both women had hoped to claim it first.
Running into Maia here, who casually asked to try on the “Blue Sea” of all things, wasn’t part of their plan. The idea of her touching a gown with that kind of value — a woman with a criminal record, no less — seemed laughable.
To them, it was nothing short of absurd.