?Chapter 778:

    A faint trace of disappointment flickered in Mariana’s eyes at her sister’s words. Deep down, she had suspected it. Kiley wasn’t in Sceibar just to see her. Still, Mariana reminded herself that Kiley had always been like udius — ambitious, driven, and guided by what was best for the family, not sentiment.

    “I get it. I’ll give it everything I’ve got,” Mariana replied, keeping her voice steady.

    That didn’t escape Kiley’s notice. A quietugh slipped out as she leaned forward. “You sound a little upset, Mariana. But I promise I didn’t juste here on Cooper Group’s behalf,” she said, cing her ss down with care.

    Her tone softened a beatter. “I also heard things didn’t end well for you back home. Aurora Apparel Company got pulled out from under the Cooper Group, didn’t it?”

    Mariana had tried to stayposed, but Kiley’s words struck a nerve. Her eyes turned misty in an instant.

    No matter how loud or fearless she usually was, standing before Kiley always made Mariana feel like a younger version of herself — uncertain, exposed, and longing to be understood.

    That night at Cooper Group’s event still haunted her. Losing Aurora Apparel Company had left a bitter taste she couldn’t shake. She had counted on the giarism scandal to drag Maia down and reim the brand, but her n had backfiredpletely.

    Now that Kiley had brought it up, Mariana realized it was the perfect moment to unload everything she had been holding back.

    She bit her lower lip briefly to steady herself, then nodded and began recounting every slight Maia had supposedly inflicted — each one exaggerated to cast Maia in the worst possible light.

    Among her many usations, she didn’t forget to im that Maia had made advances toward udius.

    Kiley’s mood shifted instantly. Her jaw tightened, and her eyes lost all warmth. “So that’s the kind of woman Maia is? A seductress hiding behind a sweet face?”

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    For someone like udius — reserved, disinterested in women, and alwaysposed — to fall for her? That was shocking.

    He had even tapped into Cooper Group’s finances to throw an extravagant birthday party for Maia.

    Having spent the past few years focused on expansion overseas, Kiley had distanced herself from local affairs. Her focus had been strictly professional. If Mariana hadn’t shared all this face-to-face, she never would have believed that her level-headed brother could act so recklessly.

    If left unchecked, Maia would eventually stand in the way of Cooper Group’s ambitions.

    Without missing a beat, Kiley’s face hardened, and her tone dropped to a chilling calm. “Anyone who crosses the Cooper family pays a price. Leave this to me.”

    At that, Mariana’s lips curved slightly, her eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction. “I really appreciate it, Kiley.”

    Now that Kiley had taken charge, she was confident that Maia’s downfall was only a matter of time.

    Before either of them could say more, a rxed female voice drifted in from deeper within the suite. “Kiley, do we havepany?”

    Startled, Mariana turned her head toward the sound just as someone stepped out from the bedroom.

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