Chapter 433
Chapter 433:
“The man who went to the hotel with Maia is Chris,” Rosanna declared hotly. “I witnessed it myself. No doubt about it. Maia has absolutely no shame p>
With a sharp clatter, Mariana’s trembling hand dropped the phone, sending it crashing to the floor.
Hearing only dead air from the other side, Rosanna quickly asked, “Mariana, what’s wrong p>
Meanwhile, Mariana remained frozen where she sat, stunned beyond words. How could this nightmare possibly be real?
Her nails dug into her palms, and her lips pressed into a bloodless line. Fury surged through her like wildfire, making her want to destroy something, yet there was nothing nearby she could hurl. Besides, appearances still mattered—she couldn’t lose control in public.
But Maia had gone too far this time. Maia had mocked her at the event and now was targeting Chris. Mariana couldn’t endure the thought of that woman wrecking her future.
Rosanna’s voice filtered faintly through the speaker.
Snatching up the fallen device, Mariana ground out through gritted teeth, “Find a way to lure her out. I want to ruin her reputation p>
Rosanna faltered, resignation flashing through her voice. “Maia practically sees me as an enemy. If I approach her directly, she’ll definitely refuse p>
Mariana’s patience snapped.
“Are you useless or what?” she snapped icily. “I don’t care how you manage it. Get Maia to show up — lie to her if you must. Fail, and don’t bother contacting me again p>
Without waiting for an answer, Mariana ended the call.
At the Morgan estate’s dining hall, Rosanna had stepped out to answer her phone and had yet to return.
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Richard grew visibly annoyed. “What’s taking Rosanna so long? Who’s she chatting with that she needs privacy p>
Sandra gave him a look and said mildly, “She’s no longer a child. It’s normal for her to have secrets p>
Richard’s brow furrowed. “Rosanna’s too trusting. I worry some shady character might trick her.” He put down his fork and directed a stern glance at Jarrod. “As her brother, you ought to keep an eye on her p>
Across the table, Jarrod, who had been distant and distracted since coming home, poked absently at his meal. Richard’s sharp rebuke jolted him. “Huh? What? What happened p>
Richard’s face darkened further. He pointed a finger at him. “You waste your time day after day. What exactly is filling that head of yours p>
Sensing that something was off, Sandra intervened gently. “Jarrod, you’ve been out of sorts lately. Is there something you’re not telling us p>
Jarrod hesitated. Should he reveal how Maia, once dismissed as insignificant, had humiliated Mariana, the Cooper Group’s precious jewel? But confessing that would mean admitting how badly he’d embarrassed himself too.
After considerable hesitation, he finally murmured, “Father, Mother… Maia spent over a decade under our roof. Things have spiraled out of control now, which none of us ever intended. Isn’t it time we tried to repair what’s broken between us p>
The dining hall lapsed into a short, heavy hush following his appeal.
Then, without warning, Richard smashed his palm against the tabletop, his face contorting with rage. “Repair things with her? We provided for her for seventeen years, and this is how she shows her gratitude p>
Sandra hurriedly stepped in to diffuse the situation.