Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 26:

Rosanna had recently purchased an array of extravagant, though unnecessary, luxury items. Had Maia made such purchases, Richard would have swiftly rebuked her with a harsh scolding. However, Rosanna was his own daughter, who had been lost to him for seventeen long years.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Richard was unable to utter a single harsh word. Instead, he let out a frustrated sigh.

Sandra, noticing Richard’s dilemma, took a moment before gently approaching Rosanna. She clasped her hand and sighed softly. “Rosanna, our family’s situation isn’t what it once was. Maybe it’s time to scale back on the luxury shopping. Are these items truly necessary?”

Sandra’s tone was as gentle as possible, yet it caused Rosanna’s eyes to well up with tears instantly.

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Rosanna’s head dropped, tears flowing freely as she looked completely devastated.

Immediately, Sandra regretted her words.

Rosanna had been away from them for seventeen years, enduring untold hardships. Sandra now questioned her own judgment. What harm was there in Rosanna indulging in a few pleasures? She didn’t think Sandra should criticize her.

Sandra was just about to comfort Rosanna when she heard Rosanna, her voice slightly choked, saying, “I won’t spend the family’s money so carelessly anymore. But these things… actually, Vince bought them for me.”

Sandra was taken aback. Vince was the one who had made the purchases, intensifying her sense of remorse. She took Rosanna’s hand more firmly and guided her to the sofa, her expression one of regret. “I apologize, Rosanna. It was wrong of me to criticize you.”

“It’s okay, Mom. You were just concerned about our family’s well-being — I get it.” Rosanna tried to show empathy and understanding. “But, Mom, what did you mean earlier about our family’s situation changing?”

With a heavy sigh, Sandra explained the abrupt severance of ties by their largest business partner.

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Rosanna’s expression grew troubled as she hesitated, then looked at Sandra. “I have something to tell you, but I’m not sure if I should.”

Sandra offered a comforting smile. “Whatever it is, you can share it with me, dear.”

Encouraged by her mother’s reassurance, Rosanna decided to confide. She exhaled deeply and said, “I saw Maia at the mall today.”

“Maia?” Sandra’s expression became concerned, her eyebrows furrowing.

Rosanna gave a confirming nod. “I caught her shopping at a high-end store. More than that, I saw her stepping into a Rolls-Royce. Could it be that she doesn’t feel the need to return to us because she’s found a better situation, one where she looks down on our family? Curiously, our family crisis coincided with her distancing herself. I’m uncertain if these events are related.” Her voice was even, conveying a message that was clearly understood.

Out of Rosanna’s view, Sandra’s hands balled into fists.

It now made sense why Maia’s demeanor had drastically changed after prison — her behavior wasn’t just unfriendly; it had turned scornfully hostile. It seems she had secured a powerful backer.

Four years behind bars didn’t exactly give Maia the chance to cozy up to anyone influential. Where could she have found the time — or the people — to build that kind of support? The idea that someone important might be backing her just didn’t add up.

Watching Sandra’s puzzled expression, Rosanna stepped in with a quiet but timely suggestion. “She only just got out. There’s no way she secured a place to stay that fast. Could it be… she made arrangements before she was locked up?”

“Before she was locked up?” Sandra echoed, clearly thrown by the possibility.

“Wasn’t she always head-over-heels for Vince?”

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