Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 23 Summary
In Chapter 23 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Lavern is engulfed in a storm of anger directed at Marina, who remains unfazed by his fury. Their confrontation reveals deep-seated tensions in their relationship, as Marina confidently challenges Lavern’s trust in her. Despite his attempts to assert dominance, she counters with her own authority as the controlling shareholder of Ross Group, showcasing her determination to reclaim her position in the business world.
As the argument escalates, Lavern’s frustration boils over, revealing his vulnerability beneath the facade of anger. Marina’s amusement at his emotional turmoil highlights the power dynamics at play, as she navigates their complex relationship with a mix of sarcasm and confidence. Their exchange is charged with unspoken emotions, as both characters grapple with their feelings towards each other amidst the backdrop of business and personal stakes.
The chapter takes a dramatic turn when Lavern receives a call from his mother, Carrie, which adds another layer of tension. Her arrival at Shawna’s apartment, where she finds Lavern in a vulnerable state, brings familial conflict into the mix. Carrie’s critical remarks about Marina further strain Lavern’s emotions, as he tries to defend his fiancée while also managing his own frustrations. This interaction reveals Lavern’s internal struggle between loyalty to his family and his commitment to Marina.
As the chapter progresses, Lavern’s irritation with both Marina and his mother culminates in a moment of introspection. He yearns for peace and a return to normalcy, feeling overwhelmed by the ongoing conflicts in his life. Shawna’s concern for his well-being and her attempt to bridge the gap between him and Carrie adds a poignant touch, emphasizing Lavern’s emotional turmoil and the weight of expectations he faces from both women in his life.
Ultimately, this chapter encapsulates the intricate web of relationships and emotions that define Lavern’s journey, as he navigates the challenges of love, ambition, and familial obligations. The tension between him and Marina, coupled with the interference from Carrie, sets the stage for a deeper exploration of their intertwined fates in the chapters to come.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 23**
Lavern stood frozen, his body rigid and his face twisted into a grimace that could only be described as a mask of fury. His eyes burned into Marina’s, the anger simmering just beneath the surface, ready to boil over at any moment.
Marina, however, held his gaze with an unyielding confidence, a slight smile playing on her lips that hinted at her amusement. “If you’re truly that hungry, why not step outside? The breakfast spots around here offer far more choices than anything I could whip up,” she suggested, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Instantly, Lavern’s expression turned icy, his heart thundering in his chest. “After all these years together, can’t you at least trust me a little?” he shot back, his voice low and tense.
Marina raised her chin, meeting his cold stare with unwavering determination.
His expression was devoid of remorse, as if her accusations were nothing more than absurd fabrications meant to tarnish his reputation. She had to stifle the urge to applaud his audacity; it was almost impressive how he could wear his arrogance like armor.
“I’ve already let the person go and explained everything to you. How long do you intend to drag this out?” he pressed, his frustration palpable.
Marina regarded him with the scrutiny of a detective interrogating a suspect, and it was this unwavering gaze that sent him spiraling over the edge of his composure.
Yet, Marina remained unfazed by his explosive anger. The sarcasm in her expression sharpened, almost as if she were savoring the spectacle unfolding before her. “You really think I’m that naive, Lavern?” she challenged, her voice cool and steady.
A jolt of panic flickered in his eyes, but in a desperate attempt to save face, he doubled down on his feigned outrage. His features contorted into a grimace that bordered on the absurd, a dark caricature of his true feelings.
Marina observed him, a genuine sense of amusement lighting up her eyes. After seven years of being together, she could read him like an open book, deciphering every twitch of his brow and every subtle movement of his hands.
He had already revealed his true emotions, yet he still clung to the illusion that he was hiding them perfectly.
The mockery in her gaze finally pushed him into a state of furious humiliation.
“You…” he began, but his words were cut short by the shrill ringtone of her phone.
Marina’s eyes flicked to the device resting on the table beside her, and her eyebrow arched in surprise; it was Thomas Macias, the president of Cloud Group, calling.
Before she could reach for it, Lavern swooped in, snatching the phone from her grasp. He frowned at her before answering and switching it to speaker mode, his irritation palpable.
“Ms. Finley, I’ve reflected on our conversation from yesterday,” Thomas’s voice came through the speaker, smooth and professional. “Let’s arrange a time to finalize that contract.”
Lavern’s brow furrowed as he shot Marina a confused glance, his mind racing with questions.
Marina clenched her fists at her sides but maintained her composure, stepping forward to reclaim the phone from Lavern’s grip. “Perfect, Mr. Macias. We’ll adhere to the previous terms. We can fine-tune the details once I arrive,” she replied, her tone smooth and confident.
“Sounds good,” Thomas agreed, and after exchanging a few polite remarks, Marina hung up the call.
Lavern loomed beside her, his expression dark and brooding like an impending storm. “I’ll handle the company matters. You’ve been out of the loop for a while; you don’t understand the current market demands. Reaching out to Thomas behind my back is just sabotaging my strategy,” he stated, his voice sharp.
That was precisely her intention—to derail his carefully laid plans. She envisioned snatching up all of Ross Group’s key partners before he even realized what was happening, all while plotting to return to Vidield and launch her own venture.
Unfortunately, many of the contracts were still tied up in red tape.
“Yes, I may have stepped back from the day-to-day operations, but let’s not forget that I own 51% of Ross Group’s shares. I’m the controlling shareholder, which means I make the decisions regarding the company,” she countered, her tone unwavering.
With that, Marina pocketed her phone, dismissing him entirely as she gathered the dishes and headed toward the kitchen.
Lavern’s chest heaved with frustration as he tugged at his collar, irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.
At that moment, his phone buzzed to life, a cutesy, romantic melody that now felt unbearably grating.
He cast a cold glare at Marina, who was rinsing dishes in the kitchen, before swiping to answer the call and pressing it to his ear. “What is it?” he demanded, his tone harsh and unyielding.
The caller hesitated before responding tentatively, “Lavern, Carrie’s here at my place.”
A cloud of dread settled over Lavern’s face. “Who?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Shawna’s voice came through, soft and concerned. “Your mom.”
His mood soured further, irritation surging within him like a tidal wave.
By the time Marina had finished cleaning the kitchen and emerged, Lavern had already stormed out.
She quickly slipped into a sharp business suit and followed suit, heading directly to Cloud Group’s main office.
Her plan was ambitious: to build a new Ross Group from the ground up in Vrufield, all while poaching every last one of Lavern’s resources along the way.
With only nine days remaining, she knew she had to act swiftly.
Lavern burst into Shawna’s apartment, his fury palpable. He found Carrie and Shawna in the kitchen, laughing and chatting like old friends as they prepared lunch together.
They seemed entirely at ease, sharing details of their lives as if they had known each other for ages.
Carrie wore a genuine smile, one that rarely graced her face, and it was a warmth that she had never once shown around Marina.
Lavern felt his anger begin to dissipate slightly. “Mom, what brings you here?” he asked, his tone softening just a touch.
“What? Am I not allowed to visit Marina’s place? Now I can’t come here either?” Carrie turned, her eyes landing on him. She immediately noticed his weary, feverish appearance and dropped what she was holding to rush over. “What on earth happened to you?”
Shawna followed closely behind, pressing her hand to his forehead with a look of concern. “You seemed perfectly fine when you left last night. How did you end up with a fever?”
Carrie let out a scoff, clearly irked. “How do you think? Marina has clearly worn him out! I’ve known her number for years; she’s as lazy as they come, spoiled rotten, and wouldn’t know how to take care of someone if her life depended on it.
“Marry her, and you’ll be miserable for the rest of your days!”
Shawna had already filled Carrie in on the tumultuous situation between her and Lavern, so there was no hesitation in her criticism of Marina, even in her presence.
Lavern interjected sharply, “Mom!”
He couldn’t bear to hear her disparaging Marina in front of him. After all, she was the woman he intended to marry, his partner for life.
Carrie, noticing his frustration, gritted her teeth. “Fine, ignore me now, but you’ll regret it down the line.”
Lavern shot back, “That’s enough. Our wedding is just days away; lay off her.”
Shawna bit her lip, bowing her head and standing quietly to the side, like a good girl.
Carrie suppressed a retort, recognizing how irritated her son appeared. To avoid escalating the situation, she decided to drop the subject of Marina.
Lavern let out a heavy sigh and sank into the sofa, glancing over at Shawna, who seemed on the verge of tears. His brow furrowed in concern.
He rubbed his forehead, trying to shield the mounting frustration in his gaze.
These days, dealing with Marina had left him utterly drained, and he felt completely powerless against her. He couldn’t tell if she was merely testing him or if she had truly uncovered something significant.
The last thing he wanted was to continue clashing like this; he longed for a return to normalcy.
Noticing his agitation and the way he was pulling away, Shawna bit her lip again and murmured, “Lavern, are you upset because I asked Carrie to come keep me company?
“I’m so sorry; I shouldn’t have gone ahead without checking with you. If you’re that mad, just hit me or something, but please don’t shut me out.”
As she spoke, she crouched down in front of him, guiding his hand toward her cheek, her eyes pleading.
Lavern opened his eyes, taking in her anxious, frightened expression, and let out a rueful laugh. He gently pinched her cheek, a fond smile breaking through his earlier frustration. “If only she knew how to give in like you do.”
Conclusion
In the tumultuous landscape of emotions that unfolded, Lavern and Marina found themselves navigating the treacherous waters of trust and ambition. Lavern’s fury, born from a mixture of betrayal and confusion, clashed with Marina’s unwavering confidence and determination. As she boldly asserted her position as the controlling shareholder, Lavern’s frustration morphed into a realization that their relationship was not just a partnership but a battlefield where each sought to claim their stake. The confrontation with his mother only intensified his inner turmoil, exposing the cracks in his once unshakeable resolve. Yet, amidst the chaos, a flicker of vulnerability emerged in Lavern, hinting at his longing for connection and understanding, even as he wrestled with his feelings for Marina and the impending wedding.
Meanwhile, Marina, armed with her own ambitions, stood firm in her convictions, ready to seize the opportunities that lay ahead. Her decision to pursue her vision for Ross Group, even at the expense of Lavern’s plans, underscored the complexities of their relationship—one built on love yet fraught with rivalry. As Lavern confronted his mother’s criticisms and the weight of his own expectations, he began to glimpse the fragility of the life he had envisioned. The chapter closed with a sense of uncertainty, yet also with a glimmer of hope; both characters were on the precipice of transformation, poised to redefine their paths. In the winds that carried their lost promises, there lay the potential for new beginnings, should they choose to embrace the vulnerability that comes with true partnership.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” readers can expect the tension between Lavern and Marina to reach a boiling point as their individual ambitions collide with unexpected consequences. With Lavern’s mother, Carrie, now in the picture, the stakes are raised even higher. Will her presence serve as a catalyst for Lavern to confront his feelings about Marina, or will it further complicate an already fraught relationship? As Lavern grapples with the mounting pressure from both family and business, Marina’s calculated moves to undermine him will begin to unfold, revealing a deeper layer of her strategy that could change everything.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for Marina as she races against time to solidify her plans for a new venture in Vrufield. With only nine days left, her resolve will be tested as she navigates the treacherous waters of corporate rivalry and personal betrayal. Will she manage to outmaneuver Lavern and secure her place in the business world, or will her actions lead to unforeseen consequences that threaten not only her ambitions but her relationship with Lavern? As secrets unravel and alliances shift, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the fateful choices that lie ahead for both characters.
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.
