Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 16 Summary
In Chapter 16 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” the tension between Maria and Yesenia escalates as they discuss a potential business deal involving Daron and the Wonder Group. Yesenia expresses disbelief at Maria’s intentions, while Maria reassures her that she will manage everything, emphasizing the need for confidentiality. Despite her determination, Yesenia harbors doubts about whether Daron would be interested in investing in a company that has not shown significant profits. This uncertainty lingers in the air as they conclude their conversation.
After the call, Marina searches for Garret’s business card to reach out to Daron but realizes she no longer has it. She decides to contact Kara for Daron’s address, which leads to a surprising revelation about Marina’s feelings toward Daron. Kara’s reaction is mixed, reflecting both surprise and concern about the implications of Marina pursuing Daron, especially regarding the future of Ross Group, which Marina has dedicated years to building. Despite Kara’s caution, Marina feels a strong desire to move forward and create something new.
When Marina arrives at Daron’s house, she is met with an unexpected scene—Daron engrossed in a game on his phone, seemingly indifferent to her presence. This encounter highlights the contrast between Marina’s serious intentions and Daron’s casual demeanor. As she tries to discuss the potential investment, Daron’s lack of engagement leaves her feeling exposed and embarrassed. The silence between them grows heavy, amplifying her discomfort as she witnesses his frustration with the game.
In a moment of vulnerability, Marina offers to take over Daron’s game, revealing her past skills in gaming despite having distanced herself from it. As she plays, the situation becomes a metaphor for their business relationship and personal dynamics. The defeat she faces in the game mirrors her feelings of inadequacy in front of Daron, who observes her with a neutral expression. Their exchange is laden with unspoken tension, as Marina grapples with her embarrassment and Daron’s subtle jabs, leaving her feeling both challenged and vulnerable in this unexpected confrontation.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 16**
A moment of silence hung in the air on the other end of the line, thick with anticipation, before Yesenia’s voice broke through, laced with disbelief. “Are you really serious about this?”
Maria responded with a soft hum, a sound that conveyed both affirmation and determination. “I’ll handle all the arrangements. Just make sure none of this gets out before we’re ready.”
Yesenia took a moment to gather her thoughts, her mind racing as she repeatedly assured Maria that she wouldn’t breathe a word to anyone. Yet, as the initial shock began to fade, doubt crept in. She questioned whether Marina could truly convince Daron to invest in Wonder Group’s project.
After all, Wonder Group’s profits were barely enough to be considered significant. She thought to herself, ‘What would compel someone like Daron to even care?’
Once the call ended, Marina rummaged through her bag, searching for the business card Garret had given her after that last car accident. It was nowhere to be found. The insurance company had taken care of all the follow-ups, so she hadn’t bothered to keep any contact information for Daron or his assistant.
After a moment of contemplation, she decided to text Kara, hoping to get Daron’s address in Sicester.
Kara’s relaxed tone shifted to one of alertness the moment she realized Marina was inquiring about Daron’s place. They had grown up side by side, so Kara was well aware of the entire saga surrounding the old Finley-Zamora family engagement.
“Marina, don’t tell me you’re actually aiming for him?” Kara’s voice held a mix of surprise and intrigue.
Marina felt momentarily speechless, her hand instinctively moving to her forehead in disbelief.
Kara took a moment to process this new information. “Well, I’m happy for you, I guess.”
Marina chuckled lightly, deciding to cut to the chase. “My sister mentioned that he’s considering buying shares in Ross Group. I thought it would be a good idea to discuss it with him.”
Kara fell silent for a beat, contemplating the implications. “Just a heads-up: if you offload your shares to him, Ross Group might just get swallowed up by the Zamora Group and vanish entirely.”
Marina felt a pang at that thought. She had poured so many years into building Ross Group, nurturing it to its current heights; it meant everything to her.
Kara added cautiously, “Make sure you’ve really thought this through.”
Turning her gaze back to the towering office of Ross Group, Marina murmured, “Kara, the only reason Ross Group ever held meaning for me was because I infused it with my own passion and hard work. Without me, it’s just a shell.”
It was time to embark on her next venture, to create something new and exciting.
Kara sensed the shift in Marina’s resolve. After exchanging a few playful jabs, she hung up, immediately diving into her search for Daron’s address in Sicester. As soon as she located it, she sent a quick text.
Kara: [Just checked with my brother: he’s at home.]
Using the address Kara provided, Marina pulled up to the grand entrance of Daron’s impressive house. She pressed the doorbell and waited, counting the seconds, but received no response.
Just as she was about to try again, the door swung open.
There stood Daron, his striking features marred by a scowl, his deep-set eyes flickering with barely restrained irritation.
His slender fingers gripped a phone, the screen displaying a popular MOBA game. The interface was muted in gray, indicating that his character had just been eliminated.
Marina hesitated, taken aback. She had never imagined the cool, aloof Daron as someone who would indulge in gaming.
“Mr. Zamora,” she began, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. “My sister mentioned you might be interested in purchasing shares in Ross Group. I came by today to—”
He shot her a sidelong glance, his attention diverted, cutting her off before she could finish her sentence. His character revived on-screen, and he immediately dove back into the game, fingers dancing across the controls with a practiced ease.
He stood before her, a statue of indifference, neither inviting her in nor dismissing her outright.
Marina felt a wave of speechlessness wash over her. He didn’t seem to be directing his frustration at her, yet every silent moment felt like a subtle jab, leaving her feeling exposed and humiliated.
Daron’s focus remained glued to his phone, so absorbed in the game that Marina couldn’t help but steal a glance at the screen.
He maneuvered his character to assist his teammates, demonstrating a decent grasp of game mechanics, at least. But as soon as he entered the fray, the enemy team swiftly eliminated him.
His expression darkened as he stared at the now darkened screen, and then his teammates voted to surrender.
An awkward silence filled the space between them.
Daron clicked “no” on the surrender option and finally looked up at Marina, his voice steady and deep. “Come in.”
With that, he turned away and walked inside, still clutching his phone as if it were a lifeline.
He sank onto the sofa, his face grim and serious, looking as if he had just lost a significant business deal.
As his character came back into play, he charged forward with renewed vigor, only to be taken down in mere seconds, the screen fading to gray once more.
This time, the enemy team loitered just outside their high ground, taunting him with recall emotes, adding salt to his wounds.
Daron’s frustration was palpable, etched into every feature of his face.
Marina glanced away, feeling awkward, but when he respawned again, she couldn’t help but sneak another look, mentally critiquing his gameplay.
He had some awareness, sure, but his mechanics were undeniably weak.
The enemies continued to toy with him, dragging out the game without finishing it, a maddening spectacle to witness.
After yet another defeat, Daron shot her an annoyed glance, their eyes locking for a brief moment, his expression screaming “what a letdown.”
Marina felt the heat of embarrassment creep up her cheeks, her mind racing.
After a moment of hesitation, she finally spoke up, her voice steady. “Want me to take a crack at it?”
Daron raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident in his tone. “You any good?”
Years ago, she had been quite adept at this game, even gaining recognition for her skills. But over time, Daron’s disdain for gaming had rubbed off on her, and she had almost completely abandoned it.
From what she had observed of the opponents’ plays, they weren’t particularly impressive either; she guessed Daron’s rank was likely quite low.
Could she really handle this? Even after all this time away, she felt confident she could manage.
“Anyone with thumbs could pull it off,” she declared, her confidence unwavering.
With a hint of doubt, Daron handed over the phone.
Marina eagerly accepted it, her fingers ready for action as the character respawned.
She held the phone firmly, her fingers gliding across the controls with ease as her character emerged from the fountain, only to witness the enemies shatter the nexus.
Staring at the glaring [DEFEAT] emblazoned on the screen, Marina forced a wry smile. All that preparation, and yet, here she was with nowhere to go.
Daron remained silent on the nearby sofa, watching her intently, his expression unreadable.
Marina met his gaze, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, feeling vulnerable under his scrutiny.
After a moment of silence, she decided to defend herself. “This isn’t my fault.”
Daron nodded slightly, his tone neutral. “Yeah. Even if it tanked on your watch, it’s not on you.”
Marina was left speechless. Though he didn’t seem to be directing blame at her directly, every word felt like a subtle dig, amplifying her sense of exposure and mortification.
Conclusion
In this pivotal moment, Marina stands at the crossroads of her past and future, grappling with the weight of her ambitions and the lingering shadows of her insecurities. The encounter with Daron is fraught with tension, a reflection of her internal struggle as she seeks validation in a world that feels increasingly out of her control. Despite the disappointment of her gaming performance, Marina’s determination to reclaim her narrative shines through. She understands that the essence of Ross Group lies not solely in its financial worth but in the passion and dedication she has poured into it. In this realization, she finds a flicker of hope—a reminder that her journey is not defined by a single setback but by her resilience and willingness to forge ahead.
As she navigates this complex interaction with Daron, Marina’s vulnerability transforms into a quiet strength. The initial embarrassment morphs into a resolve to prove herself, not just to him but to herself. The unspoken connection between them hints at a deeper understanding, a recognition of shared struggles and aspirations. While the future remains uncertain, Marina is ready to embrace the unknown, fueled by the belief that she can create something meaningful once more. In the winds that carry lost promises, she finds the courage to let go of what no longer serves her, setting the stage for new beginnings and the potential for unexpected alliances.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension thickens between Marina and Daron, readers can anticipate a pivotal moment of reckoning in the next chapter. With Daron’s skepticism hanging in the air like a storm cloud, Marina must navigate not only the precarious dynamics of their past but also the weight of her own ambitions. Will she manage to convince him of the potential in Ross Group, or will his indifference lead her to reconsider her plans altogether? The stakes are higher than ever, and the unexpected twist of their shared history looms large, promising an emotional confrontation that could alter the course of their futures.
Furthermore, the chapter is likely to delve deeper into the complexities of Marina’s character. As she grapples with her feelings of embarrassment and vulnerability in Daron’s presence, readers will witness her inner struggle between ambition and self-doubt. The introduction of gaming as a metaphor for their relationship adds an intriguing layer, hinting at the ways in which they might learn to collaborate—or clash—over their shared goals. Will Marina reclaim her confidence and take control of the situation, or will Daron’s aloofness continue to stifle her efforts? The next chapter promises to be a whirlwind of emotions, strategy, and unexpected revelations, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.
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.
