Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 36 Summary
In Chapter 36 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Lavern attempts to assert his authority during a dinner gathering, but his facade begins to crumble as he grapples with the consequences of his past actions, particularly his betrayal of Marina. Once devoted to him, Marina now feels a mix of pity and bitterness towards Lavern, questioning whether he deserves her care after straying. As Lavern struggles to maintain his composure in front of important clients, Marina remains distant, reflecting on her own feelings of pressure and inadequacy, especially in comparison to Daron, who is portrayed as a level-headed and ideal partner.
As the evening progresses, Lavern’s bravado, fueled by alcohol, leads him to boast about the future of Ross Group, while Daron maintains his cool demeanor, creating a stark contrast that Marina cannot ignore. She reflects on her family’s expectations and her own feelings of being out of place, especially as she recalls the history between Daron and Elnora, who seems more suited for him. This inner conflict intensifies when Lavern, inebriated, leans on Marina for support, but she resists the urge to confront him, knowing that she must maintain her composure for the sake of their business dealings.
The tension reaches a peak when Yesenia, sensing the growing animosity, tries to deflect Lavern’s arrogance by redirecting gratitude towards Marina. This moment highlights the underlying contempt for Lavern’s self-importance, as Yesenia’s words cut through his drunken haze. Daron’s intervention helps to lighten the mood, and as the guests prepare to leave, a significant business deal between him and Marina seems imminent, though she is secretly advocating for her own interests.
As Marina and Daron walk out together, Lavern’s jealousy and annoyance bubble to the surface. He observes the warmth between them, feeling threatened by the bond they share. In his drunken state, he stumbles, creating a scene that draws attention, but Daron’s playful reminder of a previous incident between him and Marina serves to further complicate her feelings. This chapter encapsulates the emotional turmoil and shifting dynamics between the characters, setting the stage for future conflicts and revelations.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 36**
Lavern was clearly putting on a show, trying to assert his authority in front of the gathering crowd.
In the past, Marina would have played along, ensuring he saved face among their peers. But that was before the betrayal, before he allowed his heart to stray into uncharted territory.
The sight of him grimacing as the wine settled uncomfortably in his stomach stirred a familiar sense of pity within her. She used to fuss over him, tending to his every need with tender affection, but now… she thought bitterly, ‘Does he really believe he deserves that kind of care? What a delusion.’
With a sideways glance, she assessed him but remained firmly in her seat, unwilling to give in to the old patterns.
Just then, a waiter glided over, presenting Lavern with a steaming bowl of soup, the aroma wafting through the air.
Lavern inhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling slightly as he fought to mask his irritation under the knowing gazes of the men around him.
Today was pivotal; these individuals were the crème de la crème of Ross Group’s clientele and partners. He couldn’t allow Marina’s petty mood to unravel his composure in front of such important figures.
As the dinner progressed, Lavern’s spirits began to rise, fueled by the alcohol coursing through his veins.
In a moment of boldness, he boasted to Daron about the promising future of Ross Group, declaring that anyone who passed up a partnership with them would be making a monumental mistake.
The alcohol only amplified his brashness, turning it up to an obnoxious level.
Daron, on the other hand, had indulged in his fair share of drinks but remained the picture of composure, exuding an effortless coolness that made it impossible to gauge just how much he had consumed.
Marina couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between them.
Suddenly, her thoughts drifted to her stern, no-nonsense grandfather, who had once praised Daron as the most level-headed young man of his generation.
He had even confessed that, in his own prime, he may not have matched Daron’s calm demeanor.
Although Marina had never met him formally, she had heard countless glowing reviews about Daron, painting him as an ideal partner.
The thought of being involved with someone like him, or even just entangled in his orbit, filled her with an overwhelming sense of pressure.
She had never understood why she ended up engaged to the Zamora family instead of Elnora, who seemed like the perfect match for Daron.
Elnora had been groomed as the family heir, just like him—an unstoppable force—and they shared a history as old classmates, their compatibility far exceeding her own.
As Marina wrestled with her thoughts, she felt a familiar arm drape around her shoulders.
“Marina,” Lavern slurred, leaning in closer, his breath heavy with the scent of alcohol. “I’m completely hammered. Let’s call it a night, yeah? Time to head home.”
She instinctively raised her hand to push him away, but the collective gaze of their companions held her back. Reluctantly, she lowered her hand, choosing discretion over confrontation.
With a significant meeting looming just eight days away, she couldn’t afford to reveal any weakness, especially not to Lavern.
Yesenia, ever the perceptive one, recognized the tension brewing between Lavern and Marina. Woman to woman, she sensed the bottled-up frustration simmering in Marina’s eyes.
At the opportune moment, Yesenia stood to conclude the evening. “What a privilege it has been to share this meal with all of you tonight. A special thanks to Mr. Zamora for fitting us into his busy schedule.”
She continued, her voice warm yet authoritative, “Getting our project back on track so seamlessly? That’s all thanks to you, Mr. Zamora. I see this collaboration as just the beginning; I envision many more opportunities ahead. Cheers to you, and to everyone present.”
The group raised their glasses in unison, Daron included, each face reflecting a mixture of respect and camaraderie.
Lavern, however, slouched in his chair, his right arm draped lazily over the back of Marina’s seat, radiating a sense of careless arrogance. “Ms. Ray, the one you should really be thanking is me, don’t you think?”
A hush fell over the room.
Marina didn’t intervene; instead, she rose from her chair, raising her glass high. “Here’s to all of you; may your futures be filled with smooth sailing and success.”
Yesenia struggled to contain her disdain for Lavern’s arrogance.
Just yesterday, she had approached him seeking a truce, only to be met with humiliation. Now, witnessing his smug demeanor in front of Daron, she felt a wave of contempt wash over her.
What right did Lavern have to act so self-important? If anyone deserved gratitude, it was Marina.
“You’re absolutely right, Mr. Ross,” Yesenia said, forcing a smile. “The person I should thank most is indeed you. Without your… connection to Ms. Finley, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet her, or Mr. Zamora, for that matter.
“You really have found yourself a remarkable girlfriend.”
Her words cut through the haze of Lavern’s drunkenness, sharpening his focus.
He remained seated, a frown creasing his brow as he scanned the room, sensing the polite smiles that barely concealed mockery and disdain.
The atmosphere grew thick with tension for a few moments, until Daron raised his glass, gently clinking it against Marina’s. “To you as well, Ms. Finley; may the days ahead bring you success and prosperity.”
With Daron’s intervention, the mood lightened, and laughter filled the air once more.
Lavern’s brow furrowed as he reluctantly lifted his glass, downing the contents in a single, sullen gulp.
As the guests began to set down their glasses and prepare to leave, Lavern sank back into his chair, his earlier bravado fading.
Marina and Yesenia stood to gather their bags, ready to exit.
Daron was ushered out by the group, but before leaving, he paused, turning back to Marina. “Stop by the office tomorrow to sign the contract. We can iron out any details right then and there.”
Throughout dinner, everyone had sensed a deal brewing between Marina and Daron. Now that he laid it out so plainly, it signified that the partnership between Ross Group and the Zamora Group was all but sealed.
Everyone assumed Marina was representing Ross Group, unaware that she was actually advocating for herself.
Marina nodded, her resolve firm. “Of course. Let me walk you out.”
Daron didn’t protest, and they walked side by side, a comfortable silence enveloping them.
Lavern lingered a moment longer, watching as Marina passed by with her bag. He remained silent, but the moment he overheard her conversation with Daron, annoyance bubbled within him. He rose, suppressing his irritation, and followed them.
His steps were unsteady; he had indulged a bit too much and felt genuinely buzzed. By the time he reached the door, Marina and Daron were already well down the hall.
Marina’s beautiful eyes sparkled with a genuine smile, her expression far warmer than anything she had ever directed at him.
Even Daron’s typically stern demeanor appeared softened, as if they shared a bond of familiarity and ease.
As a man, Lavern could sense the special regard Daron held for her.
Alarm bells rang in his mind, and he quickened his pace to catch up. But in his inebriated state, he stumbled, knocking over several decorative pieces lining the hotel corridor.
The chaotic clatter echoed behind them, and Marina frowned, about to glance back when Daron, walking beside her, murmured in a low voice, “Eyes forward; stairs ahead. Or do you want me to play the hero and save you again, like this morning?”
Marina fell silent, caught off guard.
That morning, she had nearly tumbled down the steps, and Daron had yanked her back just in time, pulling her so close that she almost landed in his arms.
It had been an innocent mistake, a moment of distraction, not intentional at all. Yet the way Daron framed it made it seem as if she had done it on purpose. Sometimes, she wished she could simply silence him.
**Chapter 37**
Conclusion
As the evening drew to a close, Marina felt the weight of the night settle heavily upon her shoulders. The tension between her and Lavern had reached a boiling point, and the facade of their relationship was crumbling under the pressure of unspoken truths. She had once been the nurturing partner, but now, as she walked beside Daron, a sense of liberation washed over her. The warmth of Daron’s presence was a stark contrast to the bitterness that had become so familiar with Lavern. In that moment, Marina understood that she was no longer bound by the chains of expectation or loyalty to a man who had betrayed her. The winds of change were strong, carrying away the lost promises of her past and ushering in the possibility of a future where she could reclaim her own narrative.
Daron’s easy demeanor and genuine interest in her aspirations ignited a spark of hope within her. As they navigated the hotel corridor, the chaos left in Lavern’s wake faded into the background, symbolizing the turmoil she was ready to leave behind. With each step forward, Marina embraced the uncertainty of what lay ahead, her heart beating with a newfound courage. The laughter and camaraderie shared with Daron felt like a breath of fresh air, a reminder that she could forge her own path, independent of Lavern’s shadow. In this moment, she resolved to seize her destiny, no longer a mere spectator in her life, but the architect of her own future, ready to embrace the winds of change that promised to carry her toward uncharted horizons.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Lavern’s jealousy simmers beneath the surface. With his inebriated bravado now replaced by insecurity, Lavern’s desperation to reclaim Marina’s affections will lead to confrontations that could shatter the fragile facade he has maintained in front of their peers. As he grapples with his feelings of inadequacy, the stakes will rise for both Marina and Daron, who seem to be forging an undeniable connection. Will Lavern’s attempts to assert his dominance backfire, further alienating Marina and solidifying her bond with Daron?
Moreover, the dynamics within the group will shift dramatically as Yesenia’s role as an observer becomes increasingly crucial. Her awareness of the brewing conflict will prompt her to take action, potentially aligning herself with Marina against Lavern’s arrogance. As the pivotal meeting approaches, the pressure will mount, and decisions will need to be made. Will Marina find the courage to assert her independence, or will the weight of Lavern’s past and the expectations of their social circle hold her back? Readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the unfolding drama and the choices that will define their futures.
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.
