Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 413:

Without hesitation, Claudius raised his voice, calling out, “Someone!”

An attendant quickly approached, bowing respectfully. “Yes, Mr. Cooper, how may I assist?”

With a brisk motion, Claudius handed Rosanna over to the attendant and said, “This lady has injured her ankle. Please take her to one of the guest rooms to rest.”

Rosanna’s complexion paled. She had envisioned Claudius accompanying her, providing an opportunity for them to be alone. Instead, he dismissed her abruptly.

Her strategy of playing the frail and vulnerable woman had always worked with other men; even Vince had been easily swayed. However, Claudius appeared indifferent.

Was it possible that she held less allure for Claudius than Maia, a woman who had experienced prison and had already been married?

Rosanna was not ready to give up. Holding her ankle, she wobbled and cast a pleading gaze at Claudius. “Mr. Cooper, my ankle is in severe pain. I can’t walk any further. Could you please carry me?”

Claudius responded with a cold look and said to the attendant, “She’s unable to walk. Fetch a chair so Miss Morgan can sit here.”

A gentle chuckle slipped from Maia, unable to contain her amusement. Next to her, Chris folded his arms and looked at Claudius with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. “Claudius, you’re quite oblivious to women’s tactics. Don’t you see her plan? She’s aiming for you to carry her to a guest room for some private time. She’s hoping that in a moment of weakness, you’ll fall for her and stay the night. Her ultimate goal is to secure a place as a lady of the Cooper family.”

Chris’s remark, though light-hearted, cut through Rosanna’s act with unyielding clarity.

Upon hearing this, Claudius turned a cold gaze upon Rosanna and said, “A woman of your stature aspiring to join my family? You’re living in a fantasy.”

Rosanna’s tears flowed freely as she was engulfed by humiliation and rage. Shaking, she covered her face and hurried away from the gathering, deeply embarrassed.

As Rosanna retreated, Maia fought back laughter, turning to Chris. “You really say exactly what you think, don’t you?”

Chris lifted his eyebrows and shrugged dismissively. “Seems her ankle’s all better now, huh? I was only lending a hand.”

The gentle light from the chandelier highlighted his striking features, captivating Maia for a brief moment.

Then, as if the earlier disturbance had vanished, Claudius reappeared before Maia, toasting her with an uplifted glass. “Miss Watson, care for another drink?”

Before Maia could respond, Chris grabbed the glass and drew her close, his gaze fixed on Claudius with clear hostility. “Miss Watson doesn’t drink well, so I’ll take her to rest awhile. And just as a reminder, she is a married woman, Claudius. Perhaps it’s time to abandon any inappropriate ideas.”

Chris then firmly placed his arm around Maia, guiding her away from the scene.

From behind them, Claudius called out, his tone laced with tension, “Miss Watson! Are you really going to leave with him?”

Maia, eager to distance herself from Claudius, nodded. “I apologize, Mr. Claudius Cooper, but I’m feeling quite tipsy.”

Claudius’s tone became urgent. “Chris is merely a playboy who manipulates women. Doesn’t it concern you that he might take advantage of you while you’re drunk?”

Maia turned her gaze to Chris, noticing his clenched jaw. A wave of discomfort briefly passed through her, but she quickly reassured him, saying, “I appreciate your concern, Mr. Claudius Cooper. However, Mr. Chris Cooper is merely showing kindness, and I have no reason to reject his generosity.”

With these words, she discreetly signaled Chris by pulling at his sleeve. Grasping her intent, Chris no longer hesitated and snugly wrapped his arm around her as they departed.

As he witnessed this, Claudius’s complexion paled, a surge of fury tempting him to shatter the wine glass he held.

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