Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 409:

So that was the way it was.

Maia nodded, absorbing the backstory of the cake, though a question lingered in her mind.

Chris’s fond memories hinted at a warm bond between his grandfather and his mother, suggesting that his grandfather had a favorable view of her. This made Maia wonder why Chris’s mother hadn’t become part of the Cooper family. Why was Chris considered an illegitimate child?

She knew it wasn’t her place to dig into such personal details. They weren’t truly a couple; there was no need to probe so deeply into personal histories.

Before she could stop herself, Maia said, “Do you love this strawberry cake too?”

Chris responded with a gentle smile, “It’s been my favorite since childhood.”

With a soft sigh, he added, “Sadly, I haven’t enjoyed these banquets much, so it’s been quite some time since I last tasted this cake.”

Maia considered this for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Her extensive culinary adventures had equipped her with a rare ability — to dissect and replicate any dish she sampled. She felt confident about recreating the strawberry cake.

While looking at Chris, a new thought struck her. Leaning forward, her expression one of intrigued amusement, she whispered, “Mr. Cooper, were you the one handling the troublemakers during the earlier blackout?”

Maia had honed her night vision skills under Zoey’s rigorous training. Thus, when the lights went out, she adjusted to the darkness as seamlessly as Kolton’s covert operatives.

She clearly observed what those people were trying to do, and how they ultimately ended up on the floor, unable to get up.

Kolton had secretly planned an operation to swap out her design plans. Maia was poised to step in, but unexpectedly, Chris emerged, swiftly incapacitating the operatives with such efficiency that they couldn’t fight back.

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His actions were crisp and precise, reminiscent of an ancient combat technique she had only heard about in legends.

How was Chris familiar with such a skill?

Maia realized that there were depths to Chris she hadn’t yet explored.

With a casual smile and a slight squint that added to his charm, Chris leaned in, locking eyes with Maia. “How could I stand by and do nothing if my wife is in danger?”

Maia responded quietly, concerned that others might overhear them. She stayed close to Chris as he leaned in, his face nearly touching hers, close enough to almost brush against her nose.

The subtle scent of cedar emanating from him made Maia’s cheeks warm with a blush.

She quickly stepped back and whispered, “Be careful not to let anyone hear us.”

Chris closed the gap once more, his voice carrying a probing tone. “Are you really that concerned about people finding out I’m your husband?”

Chris had deliberately kept his marriage to such a formidable woman a secret from his family to avoid complications. Yet, Maia’s words unexpectedly irked him.

Maia paused, weighing her words. It wasn’t fear that motivated her caution; she simply wanted to avoid any unnecessary complications. To overthrow Kolton and help Chris ascend as the head of the Cooper Group, she knew their strategies needed to be discreet and calculated. The fewer people aware of their marriage before they achieved their goal, the better — particularly those within the Cooper Group.noveldrama

With this in mind, Maia looked up to meet Chris’s eyes squarely. “Mr. Cooper, haven’t you also chosen to keep our marriage hidden from others?”

She had observed that none of the Cooper Group employees, nor anyone else present, seemed aware of their marital status.

Chris’s expression tightened as his dark eyes narrowed.

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