?Chapter 788:

    A slow, chillingugh drifted from nearby. “Is that so? Are you Alice Byrd?” The speaker’s tone dripped with arrogance and authority.

    Maia nced up to see an elegantly dressed woman emerge from behind Mariana, icy and poised, her presence casting a hush over the crowd.

    Kiley advanced, her eyes fixed on Alice with scorn. “Since when do you get to have a say here?”

    The sheer force of the woman’s presence left Alice momentarily speechless, forcing her to step back.

    Trying to regain her footing, Alice asked warily, “Who are you?”

    “Kiley Cooper,” the woman replied in a cool tone, her face betraying little emotion.

    Everyone nearby was stunned. A whisper quickly spread through the crowd.

    “That’s Kiley Cooper, the CEO of Radiant Jewels, the famous jewelrypany.”

    “I just heard she was the one who told the organizers to track down the artist behind this painting. Maybe she wants to buy it.”

    “Matias sure has good luck. I wish Ms. Cooper admired my work like that.”

    At that moment, Chris stepped out from behind the crowd.

    “Wow, I didn’t expect to run into both of you here.” He stood casually next to Maia, his posture rxed as he watched Kiley and the others.

    Mariana froze when her eyesnded on him, shock widening her gaze.

    “Chris… why are you here too?” Her voice trembled, her hands clenching so tightly that her nails nearly pierced her palms.

    Why were Chris and Maia appearing together like this? What kind of connection did they share? Could Maia be the mysterious woman rumored to be supporting him?

    Chris nced toward themotion, shed azy grin, and shrugged.

    “Just a coincidence.”

    “A coincidence?” Mariana ground her teeth, fury zing in her eyes. They were in Sceibar, a country far from home. Who would believe such an excuse? Especially when Chris was standing right at Maia’s side, clearly acting as her shield.

    Kiley’s gaze then locked on Chris. Her stare dripped with disdain, her voice sharp and cold.

    “Chris? The illegitimate son of our Cooper family. How dare you show your face here? This isn’t your ce.”

    To everyone’s shock, Chris smirked, utterly unfazed, and replied with ease.

    “Yeah, I’m an illegitimate son. But that doesn’t stop me from going wherever I please. And it certainly isn’t your concern.”

    Kiley’s expression darkened instantly. The crowd gasped in disbelief. Someone had actually dared to talk back to the CEO of Radiant Jewels in public.

    Raegan’s first reaction to Chris’ bold reply was surprise. She gave him a careful once-over.

    He was tall, broad-shouldered, slim at the waist, and strikingly handsome — truly a rare find among men. For some reason, the face of the man she longed for day and night shed into Raegan’s mind. Though she had never seen him in person, she imagined he must look exactly like Chris.

    But a man could not be judged by looks alone. Talent, influence, and wealth were what truly made someone stand out. How could an illegitimate Cooper son ever measure up to the man she admired?

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