Chapter 108
Robert could clearly see the fierceness in Marina’s eyes.
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While everyone else thought Marina would never leave Lavern, Robert knew the truth. She wasn’t the type to stay trapped in a toxic love, wallowing in the mess.
“Alright, Ms. Finley, I’ll get back to it,” Robert said.
He was relieved he’d thrown his lot in with Marina at the last moment. He hadn’t backed the wrong horse or taken the
turn.
wrong
Before leaving work, Marina made a backup of the contract.
As she left her office, she saw Robert and Xavier busy in the next workspace.
She hadn’t left her office all afternoon, and Lavern hadn’t bothered her either, so Xavier had stepped in to help Robert out.
“Let’s call it a day,” Marina said.
It wasn’t the best time to take Lavern down as the boss of Ross Group, so there was no need for them to work themselves to the bone.
Her plan was to lay low and recharge, making Lavern believe shed checked out and stopped caring.
“Alright, Ms. Finley,” Robert replied.
Robert caught on to what Marina meant, put away his work, grabbed his briefcase, and stepped into the elevator with Xavier and Marina.
The elevator stopped and opened on the next floor.
Lavern stepped in and stood beside Marina.
Xavier straightened up the moment Lavern entered, staying aler and watching him closely.
Lavern frowned, hiding the annoyance in his eyes, and softened his tone.
“Marina, do you have any plans tonight? How about we grab dinner together?” he asked.
Marina stared straight ahead, didn’t even bother to look at Lavern.
“Get in line,” she replied.
Just having him stand in front of her was enough to ruin her appetite. The thought of sitting down to eat with him was just plain gross.
Lavern’s face darkened.
“Marina, for the sake of…” he started.
But he stopped mid–sentence, probably realizing Robert and Xaier were right there in the elevator. No way he’d act all humble in front of them–he wasn’t about to let his pride take a hit.
The elevator doors slid open on the first floor. Lavern let out a heavy sigh and stepped out.
Robert quickly hit the close button.
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Chapter 108
Lavern turned back, catching Marina’s icy look. He just threw out a parting shot.
“There’s a meeting first thing tomorrow. Be there early. Don’t be ate,” he said.
Marina didn’t respond, and the elevator doors slid shut.
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Lavern caught the look of pure disdain in her eyes. His fists clenched involuntarily at his sides, and his heart felt like it was caught in a vice. He could barely breathe.
He stood frozen, not moving an inch until the elevator doors finally closed.
‘Marina has no right to treat me this way!‘ he thought, frustration burning in his chest.
For a moment, a wave of panic hit him, but he forced it down, refusing to let it show.
What am I even afraid of?‘ Lavern thought.
Marina didn’t have any family left.
She was all about loyalty. No way she’d just up and leave someone she’d been with for seven years.
She was just trying to play him, using his affair as leverage to keep him in check.
He knew Marina inside out.
She wouldn’t keep up this drama with him for long. The fact that she came back to Ross Group says it all.
*****
When Marina saw Shawna waiting by her car, she didn’t look the least bit surprised. She’d expected Shawna to show up sooner or later.
Robert’s car was parked in another direction. He was about to say goodbye to Marina when he turned and saw Shawna. His guard went up instantly.
“I’ll get security to come and take her away,” he said.
Marina nodded, then added in a calm voice.
“Go check the security footage. I need to make sure she didn’t tamper with my car,” Marina said.
Her sister was already sick. If anything happened to Marina now it would be too much for her sister to handle.
Whenever someone who might be a threat, like Shawna, got close, Marina had to stay alert and cautious.
If something happened to her, her sister might just lose all hope
Robert nodded. “Alright, Ms. Finley.”
When Shawna saw Marina, she straightened up.
Marina approached, her face cool and indifferent.
Xavier stuck close, ready to step in if Shawna tried to get physic
Shawna glanced at Xavier, then shot Marina a look full of jealousy and spite.
“So scared of me you need a bodyguard?” Shawna sneered.
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Chapter 108
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Marina let out a cold laugh. “Oh, please, stop hyping yourself up You look so wrecked, like death’s errand boys are already knocking at your door. Honestly, I’m worried one slap from me and you’ll help them meet their quota.”
Shawna ground her teeth, glaring at Marina with pure hatred.
“You already left. Why the hell did you come back?” Shawna snapped.
“Lavern doesn’t love you anymore. Why are you still hanging around like a leech?” she spat.
Marina stood at a safe distance, quietly watching Shawna go off the rails.
Shawna’s eyes blazed with hatred as she charged at Marina, wild with rage, her teeth clenched tight.
“Give me back my child!” Shawna screamed, her voice trembling with fury and grief.
Xavier blocked her path and shoved her aside. Shawna crashed to the ground, pain flickering in her eyes.
She’d only just lost her baby, and her body was still weak from the ordeal.
“Spare me the drama. Your kid’s got nothing to do with me. What, you want me to give it back? Last I checked, I’m not the one who can do that. If you’re looking for someone to blame, go hunt down Lavern.”
Marina looked down at Shawna with a cold, superior indifference, like she was above it all and nothing could touch her.
Shawna was dumbstruck, staring blankly, unable to come up with a single comeback.
Lavern had given her a warning at lunch, telling her not to show her face around Marina again.
No way Shawna was going to swallow that humiliation.
She’d lost her child, but Marina hadn’t lost a thing–still looking like she had it all together, untouched by any of this mess.
She was here on purpose, just to mess with Marina and get under her skin.
She wanted Marina to know that her seven years with Lavern were marked by her. She was the stain on their relationship.
If she was miserable, then Marina wasn’t going to have it
easy
either.
She wanted to see Marina fall apart, to watch her totally lose it in front of someone like her.
But there wasn’t a trace of pain on Marina’s face. If anything, he eyes were full of pity and scorn.
Security rushed over and dragged Shawna aside. She struggled fercely, hurling insults at Marina nonstop.
Lavern showed up right behind them, made a beeline for Marin–clearly worried Shawna might hurt her–and looked like he wanted to pull her into his arms to shield her.
But as soon as his hand reached out, Marina instantly pulled away, dodging his touch without hesitation.
Xavier quickly stepped between them, cutting Lavern off.
Lavern’s view was blocked by Xavier’s broad frame. He shot Xaver a vicious glare and growled.
“Marina, are you alright?” Lavern asked.
Marina ignored Lavern completely, her eyes full of contempt as he looked at Shawna, lips curled in a cold sneer as she spoke softly.
“The one who made you lose your kid is right here–go ask him o pay you back. Maybe he can put another baby in your
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Chapter 108
belly. Screaming at me isn’t going to bring your child back,” Marina said, her voice icy and mocking.
Lavern’s.ace went stiff at her words, and he muttered under his breath.
“Marina, don’t say stuff just to hurt people,” he said.
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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.
