Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 13 Summary
In Chapter 18 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Marina Finley confronts the growing tension in her workplace as she grapples with the unsettling closeness between her colleague Shawna and her boss Lavern. Despite Robert’s attempts to diffuse the situation, Marina’s determination to assert her presence in the office is palpable. She feels a mix of curiosity and dread about the secretive meetings between Shawna and Lavern, which only intensifies her anxiety as she realizes her access to her own office has been revoked, likely at Lavern’s command. This revelation ignites a cold fury within her, prompting her to demand Shawna’s presence in the meeting.
As Marina enters the conference room, she disrupts the dynamic between Shawna and Lavern, immediately shifting the atmosphere. Her sharp remarks and biting sarcasm towards Shawna reveal her disdain for the perceived favoritism and the undermining of her position. Lavern’s attempts to maintain authority are met with Marina’s defiance, as she insists on her right to participate in discussions regarding company matters, especially concerning the critical Wonder Group project. The tension escalates as she challenges Lavern’s decisions, implying personal motivations behind his professional choices.
The confrontation reaches a boiling point as Marina and Lavern exchange barbs, with Marina accusing him of prioritizing personal relationships over the company’s interests. Lavern counters by asserting that the decision to withdraw from the Wonder Group project was a collective executive choice, dismissing Marina’s concerns as uninformed due to her absence from recent meetings. However, Marina remains undeterred, confident in her understanding of the situation and unafraid to challenge Lavern’s authority.
As the meeting dissolves into chaos, with department heads fleeing the room, the focus narrows to the charged interaction between Marina, Lavern, and Shawna. Marina’s refusal to back down signifies her determination to reclaim her position and influence within the company, rejecting the notion of becoming a passive figure in Lavern’s life. The chapter encapsulates the emotional turmoil of ambition, rivalry, and the struggle for power in a corporate setting, leaving readers on edge as the confrontation between Marina and Lavern intensifies.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 18**
Robert shook his head vehemently, his expression a mix of urgency and anxiety. “No, Ms. Finley, that’s not possible. Mr. Ross is currently in a meeting. Perhaps you could wait in his office? I can get you some coffee,” he suggested, his voice rising slightly in pitch as he attempted to defuse the tension.
As he spoke, he gestured toward Lavern’s office, his hand reaching for the doorknob, his movements almost too eager.
Marina, however, redirected her focus, her determination unwavering. “No, thank you. I’ll wait in my own office.” It was conveniently located right next to Lavern’s, a constant reminder of the close proximity to the chaos that was unfolding.
Lately, Shawna and Lavern had become practically inseparable, and the speculation surrounding their private meetings gnawed at Marina, filling her with an unsettling mix of curiosity and dread. What exactly were they discussing behind closed doors? The thought alone made her stomach twist.
Robert lingered in the hallway, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, reflecting his unease.
Without sparing him a glance, Marina grasped the handle of her office door, her fingers trembling slightly as she scanned her fingerprint. The lock beeped, but instead of granting her access, it flashed an error message. She tried again, and then once more, each attempt met with the same frustrating denial.
Robert kept his head bowed, his breath shallow as he sensed the rising tension.
Then it struck Marina like a bolt of lightning: someone had reset the fingerprint lock and erased her access from the system entirely.
Only Lavern had the authority to make such changes, and the realization filled her with a cold fury.
Her eyes narrowed into slits, glinting with determination. “Call her over,” she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Robert stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. “Ms. Thornton is in a meeting with Mr. Ross. Perhaps it would be better if you waited in Mr. Ross’s office for now?”
Marina’s mind raced. “Ms. Thornton? After Wonder Group let her go, Lavern swooped in, giving her a place in the company and even handing over my VP office to this newcomer. How audacious!”
A chilling laugh escaped her lips as she fixed Robert with a piercing gaze. “You covered for him so well in front of me, and yet he doesn’t even value your loyalty? He allows some wide-eyed rookie fresh out of college to snatch your position right from under you?”
Robert froze, shame washing over him as he hung his head. He had underestimated Marina’s awareness.
“Sorry, Ms. Finley,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. Marina chose to ignore him, striding purposefully toward the conference room.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Shawna had taken Robert’s place, seated comfortably at Lavern’s right, her pen dancing across her notepad as she diligently jotted down notes.
Dressed in a tailored black business suit, her skirt was noticeably shorter than usual, accentuated by sheer black stockings that clung to her legs.
Lavern sat at the head of the table, his face a mask of seriousness as he absorbed the reports from the department heads. Feeling a bit mischievous, Shawna couldn’t resist teasing Lavern, her toe playfully nudging him under the table.
He shot her a fleeting glance, his expression a blend of sternness and reluctant affection, a silent warning that didn’t go unnoticed.
Just then, the door swung open with a force that startled everyone inside. Marina entered like a tempest, and Shawna instinctively jerked her foot back, colliding it painfully with the table leg, causing the entire conference table to rattle.
The room, filled with sharp-minded professionals, immediately registered the commotion, their eyes darting between Shawna’s flustered face and Marina’s icy demeanor. It was clear to everyone that tensions were running high.
They braced themselves for Marina’s expected outburst, yet she simply smiled, her gaze locking onto Shawna. “You alright there, Ms. Thornton? Did your foot take a hit?”
Shawna’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she averted her eyes, unable to meet Marina’s piercing stare. “I-I’m… fine,” she stammered, her voice shaky.
Marina raised a skeptical eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “I thought perhaps your foot was aching, which is why you decided to slide it over to Mr. Ross for a little rub, you know, just to ease the pain.”
Shawna’s embarrassment deepened, her gaze dropping to the floor as humiliation washed over her.
Lavern frowned, his voice deep and authoritative. “Marina…”
He couldn’t help but call out to her, his tone a mix of frustration and concern.
Marina turned to him, a cold smirk playing on her lips. “What is it? Are you offering to give her a foot massage?”
Stung by her words, Lavern’s expression turned icy. “Enough with the theatrics. We’re in a meeting; you should go wait in your office.”
Marina averted her gaze, her posture relaxed as she strolled to the empty chair across from Lavern, her words drawn out lazily. “As an original shareholder and the company’s Vice President, is there truly any meeting I’m not permitted to attend?”
“You don’t honestly believe that just because we’re about to get married, the Ross Group becomes your personal fiefdom, do you?”
Her words sent a chill through the room, the air thick with tension. Heads bowed as everyone busied themselves with papers, desperately avoiding eye contact.
Lavern met her gaze, his expression stoic, but Marina held her ground, offering him a calm smile, unfazed by the charged atmosphere.
“I’m here regarding the Wonder Group situation. The project is at a critical juncture; pulling out now would have severe repercussions for both sides. I refuse to sit idly by while personal issues derail the company’s objectives and cost us millions.”
She scanned the room, her voice steady as she added, “We must prioritize the company’s best interests.”
The department heads buried their heads deeper into their documents, silence reigning supreme.
At the head of the table, Lavern toyed with his wedding ring, his voice flat as he declared, “Meeting’s over.”
At that, the group sprang into action, bolting from the room as if fleeing from a fire.
Soon enough, the conference room was left with just Marina, Lavern, and Shawna.
Shawna quickly perked up, eager to please. “I’ll get you some coffee, Marina,” she offered, her tone overly cheerful.
Marina didn’t even glance her way, her focus locked onto Lavern, her glare sharp enough to cut glass.
She had stepped back from the company for a mere six months, and now it felt as if the entire Ross Group had fallen under Lavern’s control.
Did they really think that despite her intellect, she couldn’t outmaneuver him? That she would simply fade into the background, becoming one of those trophy wives who orbited her husband like a satellite?
Not a chance.
Noticing her foul mood, Lavern rose from his seat, closing the distance between them, one hand resting firmly on the table in front of her, his imposing figure looming over her.
“Marina, the decision to abandon Wonder Group was a collective choice made by the executives. You’ve been out of the loop for months; you’re not aware of the market shifts. This isn’t about anyone’s personal vendetta.”
Marina sized him up, his proximity making her pulse quicken. “Mr. Ross, Wonder Group has been flawless in this deal. The real reason behind your stubborn withdrawal? We both know what it is.”
Lavern’s gaze darkened, storm clouds gathering in his eyes. “So you’re admitting to conspiring with Yesenia from the beginning, trying to undermine Shawna and costing her the job?”
Marina scoffed, her tone icy. “Weren’t you the one claiming there was nothing between you two? If that’s the case, why would I waste my energy on her? Unless, of course, there’s some hidden truth you’re desperate to keep under wraps?”
With her confidence unwavering, she leaned back slightly, ready for whatever confrontation lay ahead.
Conclusion
In the charged atmosphere of the conference room, Marina stood resolute, her emotions a tempest of fury and determination. The realization that she had been sidelined, her position usurped by the very person she had once considered a mere newcomer, ignited a fire within her. No longer willing to be a passive observer in the unfolding drama, she confronted Lavern with a fierce clarity that left no room for doubt. This was not just a battle for her professional standing; it was a fight for her identity, her worth, and her place within a company that had once been her domain. With each word, she dismantled the facade of camaraderie that Shawna and Lavern had built, exposing the cracks in their alliance and reclaiming her narrative.
As the dust settled from the confrontation, it became clear that Marina was no longer the woman who would fade into the background. The emotional arc of her journey had led her to this pivotal moment, where she could either succumb to the pressures of her circumstances or rise defiantly against them. With her heart racing and her mind sharp, she embraced the challenge ahead, ready to assert her influence and protect the legacy she had helped build. The winds of change swirled around her, carrying lost promises and unspoken truths, but Marina stood firm, a beacon of resilience amidst the chaos, determined to carve out her rightful place in a world that had underestimated her strength.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect the tension between Marina and Lavern to escalate further, as the stakes grow higher in their ongoing power struggle. With the dynamics of their relationship shifting dramatically, Marina’s resolve to reclaim her position within the company will be tested like never before. As she navigates the treacherous waters of corporate politics, unexpected alliances may form, and hidden agendas will be revealed, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Will Marina’s determination to expose Lavern’s true motivations lead to a breakthrough, or will it only serve to deepen the rift between them?
Moreover, Shawna’s role in this unfolding drama promises to take center stage as well. With her newfound position and the tension that exists between her and Marina, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, wondering how her actions will influence the already fragile balance of power. Will she rise to the challenge and assert herself, or will her insecurities lead to further complications? As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, the reader can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions and confrontations that will leave them breathless. The winds of change are stirring, and the next chapter holds the promise of revelations that could alter the course of their lives forever.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
