Chapter 93
Elnora stood nearby, watching the scene unfold.
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One of the representatives she’d worked with before couldn’t help but ask, “Ms. Finley, what’s going on between sister and Mr. Zamora?”
your
The representative didn’t finish her sentence, keeping a close eye on Elnora’s expression.
Elnora, who was usually all business and rarely smiled, now had a pleased smile on her face, her features soft and warm.
She glanced in their direction and spoke with a casual tone, “I have no idea. They haven’t told me anything.”
Even though Elnora brushed it off, everyone couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on.
A subtle smile tugged at Elnora’s lips. Her plan was unfolding even better than she’d hoped.
Kara was at the party representing the Gross family, and since she and Marina were tight, people kept coming up to her, wanting the scoop on what was going on between Daron and Marina.
She’d planned to go over to Marina, but seeing how Marina was glued to Daron’s side, she figured it’d be better not to interrupt.
Even though the Gross family had always shielded her, Kara could still read between the lines.
With the Finley family in such deep trouble, the only way out was to hitch their wagon to Daron’s star.
If even she could see it, there was no way Daron didn’t get it too.
But the way Daron was going along with everything tonight was honestly unexpected. It left everyone guessing about what he was really up to.
Kara could only laugh it off, brushing aside the endless questions from the ladies crowding around her.
As the party wound down, Elnora made a point of introducing Marina to everyone, just for show.
Marina had lived in Vrufield for over a decade, so she recognized almost everyone in the room right away. She quickly got used to all the eyes on her.
“Mr. Zamora, thank you for giving Marina a chance to shine. If she ever slips up at work, I hope you’ll offer her some guidance,” Elnora said, her tone gentle and even.
She stood among the crowd, looking over at Daron.
Daron didn’t say a word. He just held his glass, staying silent.
Elnora didn’t look the least bit nervous. Instead, she said softly to Marina, “Marina, go toast Mr. Zamora and thank him properly.”
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Chapter 93
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Marina did as she was told, picked up her glass, and walked over to Daron. “Mr. Zamora, thank you for giving me this opportunity. Here’s to you,” she said.
Daron still didn’t respond. Marina pressed her lips together and gently clinked her glass with his,
Daron didn’t pull away. Instead, he tipped his glass and tapped it against hers.
The sharp clink of their glasses echoed through the room.
Marina didn’t say a word. She was about to down her drink when Daron reached out and caught her wrist.
Just take a sip.” he said.
Marina paused, caught off guard.
The next second, Daron released her wrist, his voice cold as ice. “If you get drunk, don’t expect any time off
tomorrow.”
Marina just replied with a quiet “Oh,” and didn’t down the rest of her drink.
Elnora stood nearby, her elegant fingers lightly gripping the rim of her glass. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played at her lips, making her look like a queen savoring her victory.
It didn’t matter if Daron had directly discussed any partnership with the Finley family.
As long as he showed up at this party tonight, the outcome was already set in stone.
Everyone was betting that the Finley and Zamora families were about to join forces again, just like they did over a decade ago, and kick off another honeymoon phase.
If they guessed right, they’d get to bask in the glory too. If they guessed wrong, at least they wouldn’t walk away empty–handed.
Even though some folks could tell this was all just a game, for them, it was still an opportunity they couldn’t
pass up.
If the Finleys managed to hitch their wagon to the Zamoras, they’d shoot straight back to the top.
The party was meant to be a three–hour affair, but even by eleven, the place was still buzzing with guests who just didn’t want to leave.
With Daron still sticking around, nobody wanted to be the first to head out.
Elnora glanced at the time, then caught sight of the hazy look in Daron’s eyes as he stood next to Marina.
An idea popped into her head, and she spoke up in a calm, almost offhand way. “Marina, looks like Mr. Zamora’s pretty tipsy. Why don’t you help him upstairs to get some rest?”
Elnora suddenly singled her out, asking her to help Daron upstairs. Marina was stunned, just standing there for a second.
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Chapter 93
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She turned to Daron and saw the tipsiness in his eyes–he really did look a little out of it.
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Daron had already been tipsy when he got back to the office, and now after this whole party, he must be feeling awful.
“Sure, sis,” Marina replied.
She didn’t hesitate–setting down her own glass and, while she was at it, taking Daron’s from his hand and placing both on the tray.
She was actually a little nervous that Daron might refuse to go upstairs with her, so she lowered her voice and quietly asked him, “Should I help you upstairs to rest, Mr. Zamora?”
Daron just mumbled a response, obviously a bit drunk.
Once he nodded, Marina started to lead Daron upstairs.
But Daron didn’t budge. He just stood there, not moving an inch.
Marina walked a couple steps before noticing he wasn’t following. She stopped and glanced back at him.
‘Why is he just standing there?‘ she wondered. ‘Didn’t he just agree?‘
Seeing her puzzled look, Daron frowned.
“What did Ms. Finley just say?” he asked.
Marina paused, thinking hard.
‘Elnora asked me to help Daron upstairs to rest,‘ she thought. ‘Isn’t that what I’m supposed to be doing? Isn’t that fine?‘
The people nearby exchanged sly, knowing smiles. No one had thought the famously cold and standoffish Daron could act like this.
Noticing Marina still hadn’t realized what was going on, someone decided to remind her. “Ms. Marina, Ms. Finley just asked you to help Mr. Zamora upstairs to rest.”
The person really dragged out the word “help,” making it sound extra suggestive, and everyone cracked up.
Daron seemed pretty satisfied with that comment and gave the guy an approving look.
Marina saw Daron just standing there like some entitled lord, making it obvious he expected her to help him upstairs.
No doubt he was milking it on purpose.
‘Ugh, can he be any more dramatic right now?‘ Marina thought, exasperated.
She had no choice but to go along with it.
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She pressed her lips together, gave a resigned smile, and walked back over to Daron, about to support him.
But Daron stretched out his long arm, draped it over her shoulders, and pulled her right into his arms.
His voice was low and a little tipsy as he spoke to everyone else. “Guess I can’t hold my liquor tonight, so I’ll have to call it here. Hope you all enjoy yourselves, and sorry if I didn’t take care of everyone.”
With that, he strode upstairs like he owned the place, leaving everyone so stunned they were speechless for a
moment.
Marina helped Daron upstairs, planning to take him to one of the guest rooms to rest. But just as she was about to lead him there, the man, still a bit tipsy, spoke up in a low, commanding voice. “Your room. Let’s go.”
Marina froze for a second, but Daron didn’t give her a chance to refuse. He spoke again, his tone firm but casual. “I’ll just sit for a bit and then leave.”
Just as he finished speaking, someone started coming up the stairs. Daron quickly pulled Marina back to his side and headed straight for her room with her in tow. “You trying to mess up your sister’s plan?”
Marina nibbled at her lip, realizing she had no choice but to let him lead. She walked over to her room and opened the door.
As soon as Marina opened the door, she looked over her shoulder and spotted a society lady giving them a once–over, her gaze sharp with curiosity.
The moment their eyes met, the lady’s expression flashed with embarrassment, but she quickly covered it up with a polite smile.
“Sorry, Ms. Finley, the restroom downstairs was occupied, so I had to come up here. Hope I’m not interrupting you and Mr. Zamora?” she said, trying to play it off.
Marina shook her head and gestured toward the bathroom upstairs.
The lady murmured a quick thanks before making a beeline for the bathroom.
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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.
