?Chapter 795:

    All of it lived on that canvas.

    The bird that had fallen was the woman she once was. And the phoenix rising? That was her.

    Right then, many people began rallying behind Mariana, convinced her reasoning made perfect sense.

    “I agree with Miss Cooper. That woman? She’s just a fashion designer with a criminal record, yet she dares to parade around as Matias. Art isn’t about bold ims — you need actual skill to back it up.”

    “What Maia said sounds fake to me. Even the most gifted artist needs years to mature. How could she possibly pull off something like Rebirth in just four years? It’s far-fetched. Not even a fool would believe it.”

    “Some people will do anything for a taste of fame. Honestly, I don’t believe she painted this at all. She’s probably faking the whole Matias identity just to ride the buzz. It’s disgraceful. That ‘Maia’ signature? She probably scribbled it on the painting herself.”

    “She shouldn’t even be here. Someone like her doesn’t deserve the spotlight. Get out!”

    Insults flew from every direction, each sharper than thest. Alice’s desperate protests were drowned out by the tidal wave of scorn rising in the hall. Every eye was fixed on Maia.

    Still, she did not move. Maia stood like a mountain in the storm — calm, unwavering, her gaze steady.

    Narrowing her eyes at Mariana, she let her lips curl into the faintest smile. “So tell me, what kind of proof would satisfy you that I am Matias? Or perhaps you already have something in mind?”

    A flicker of hesitation crossed Mariana’s face as the memory of her humiliating defeat at the Cooper Group banquet resurfaced. To her, today felt like the perfect moment to turn the tables.

    Trying to appear unfazed, she arched her brows in mock interest, though the smug twist of her lips betrayed her. “If you really created something like Rebirth, then you should be better than me. Paint something right now. If your work surpasses mine, I’ll admit you’re Matias.”

    ??????????? ??????????????? ɡ??????ν??????﹒?????

    The room erupted in chatter. Many found Mariana’s proposal fair and leaned forward eagerly, waiting for the confrontation.

    Maia, however, remained silent — perfectly still.

    Her silence, in this setting, came across as hesitation — perhaps even doubt. Whispers quickly turned into ridicule.

    “See that? She’s hesitating. She knows she can’t do it.”

    “She came here with nothing but empty talk, and now she’s stuck. Does she even realize how many acimed artists are in this room? She’s walking straight into humiliation.”

    “All that boldness earlier, and now she won’t even open her mouth. What happened to her confidence?”

    More voices piled on, the chatter swelling around them.

    Out of nowhere, Maia finally broke her silence. Her tone was cold and deliberate. “Mariana, if I prove I am Matias, then what bes of the usations you’ve thrown at me?”

    Mariana let out augh, dripping with disbelief. “You seriously think you stand a chance against me, Maia?”

    .

    .

    .