Chapter 112
Marina couldn’t hide the disappointment and guilt in her eyes.
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Daron gave her a sidelong look, then looked away and asked Kien in a cool tone, “When are you heading back to Vrufield?”
“When are you heading back to Vrufield?”
Kieran checked the time and said under his breath, “Tonight.”
“Zack’s getting engaged, and the patriarch wants every member of the Clark family to be there. Tomorrow’s the family–only gathering, where both sides‘ relatives meet, and after that, we’ll have the engagement banquet for all the guests.”
When Marina heard the name Zack, she couldn’t help but look up.
“Zack?‘ Marina thought to herself.
She remembered that name.
Elnora kept a magazine in her study that featured a personal interview.
Zack was right there on the cover.
‘Wait, is Zack the one who once said he’d only ever marry my sister?‘ Marina thought to herself.
Zack was now the head of the Clark family, the undisputed winner of all the family infighting, having outmaneuvered his uncles for the top spot.
Rumor had it he was ruthless–over the past few years, he’d kept his uncles in check, and none dared to challenge him.
He was a force to be reckoned with, no doubt about it.
Marina knew Elnora was always the type to admire strength in others.
If Zack was the one who made her sister space out like that, it would explain a lot.
But all these years, Zack had always been watched like a hawk by his uncles. If he really had been seeing Elnora, there’s no way it would’ve stayed a secret.
‘And…, Márina thought to herself.
‘For someone like Zack, giving my sister a leg up in her career would’ve been effortless, Marina mused.
Marina couldn’t make sense of it.
Her mind was swirling with questions.
‘Kieran’s part of the Clark family–he’s gotta know at least something about this, right? Marina thought to herself.
She was about to speak, but while Daron was talking to Kieran, turned to her and said quietly, “If you have anything you want to ask, do it later, in private.”
Marina just murmured, “Oh,” and gave a small nod.
It wasn’t like she was going to blurt it out, anyway.
But with Daron saying that, she just stayed quiet.
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Kieran noticed Marina had her head down, quietly poking at he dealing with girls, try to be a little softer, alright? No need to be
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food. He shot Daron a look and teased, “Man, when you’re
intimidating”
“Man, when you’re dealing with girls, try to be a little softer, alright? No need to be so intimidating.”
Daron didn’t respond.
Marina quickly said, “Actually, I really like and have gotten used the way Mr. Zamora talks to me.”
She never felt uncomfortable around him, and it helped her keep a respectful distance at the same time.
Daron shot Marina a look.
Marina pressed her lips together, lowered her head, and quietly ontinued cating.
I shouldn’t have jumped in, she thought to herself.
Before dinner was even over, Kieran got a call and had to leave.
Daron stood up to see him out.
Marina didn’t want to be the only one left at the table, so she got up too.
She was about to leave with them, but when she saw the mess still covering the table, she realized she couldn’t just walk away and ended up staying behind.
Daron was the kind of guy who’d never touch a dish in his life–o way he’d help clean up.
Plus, she still had a few things about her sister she wanted to ask Daron:
He’d stopped her from asking Kieran earlier, and since he’d always been in Vrufield, he probably knew a thing or two.
When Daron came back from seeing Kieran off, he walked into the dining room and found Marina sitting there with her elbows propped on the table, hands cupping her face. She wasn’t touching her food, just quietly waiting for him.
As soon as he walked in, her doe eyes sparkled, following him wherever he went.
Daron picked up his fork and started eating again.
Marina lowered her hands and leaned forward a bit.
Marina asked, “Mr. Zamora, did you ever hear about my sister dating someone when she was in Vrufield?”
Daron nodded calmly, his expression unreadable.
“I’ve caught wind of it,” he said.
Marina bit her lip, unsure if she should say anything or just keep quiet.
From the way Elnora acted, Marina was certain her sister never and any romantic interest in Daron at all.
But as for Daron, he probably did have some feelings for Elnora
Otherwise, back when he found out Marina was the one he wasupposed to get engaged to, he wouldn’t have said those things.
Daron caught the look on her face–hesitant, like she wanted to say something but just couldn’t. He could tell her mind was probably spinning with all sorts of wild ideas.
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Chapter 112
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“They never went public, but people in our circle did spot them ogether a few times. Still, neither of them ever owned up to it,” Daron said.
Marina whispered, her curiosity getting the better of her, “Was i Zack?”
Daron leaned in, a playful glint in his eye, and teased, “Guess what? Not telling.”
Marina furrowed her pretty brows.
“Why?” Marina asked.
Daron sat back down and resumed eating at his own leisurely pace, completely unhurried.
Marina watched him looking all calm and laid–back, and felt a ball of frustration stuck in her chest.
Seeing her looking all frustrated, Daron set down his fork and said coolly, “Even if I told you, would it really change anything?”
Marina just went quiet, not saying another word after hearing him.
Daron watched her, seeing how gentle and quiet she looked, and his voice softened.
“Why add worries you don’t need? Sometimes, not knowing is a blessing,” he said.
Marina took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
Daron was spot on.
Nothing she or her sister did would make a difference.
After her grandfather passed away, the Finley family’s connections started to unravel. The warmth faded, and everyone drifted away–once the old man was gone, nobody cared about them anymore.
Carter was always scheming for the family fortune, never once willing to work together with Elnora.
These days, any family that could still stand strong in Vrufield was a big name with deep pockets.
But the Finleys were different–Elnora was left to hold everything together on her own. Everyone wanted a piece of her, and nobody hesitated to step on her whenever they got the chance.
Right now, it felt like all Marina could do was hold on to Daron as tightly as she could, using his power just to help the Finley family catch their breath.
“Are you still eating?” Daron asked.
Marina calmed herself and glanced at Daron, noticing he’d already set his fork aside.
“No,” Daron replied, pulling a napkin from the side and wiping s fingers.
“Let me
clean up then,” Marina said.
Marina got up and started clearing the table.
Daron looked surprised for a moment, then reached out and took her hand.
“The housekeeper will come by tomorrow to clean up. Just leave it,” he said.
Marina didn’t pull her hand back. Instead, she said softly, “It’s hot out. If we don’t clean up now, it’ll smell awful in here by
tomorrow.”
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“It’s hot out. If we don’t clean up now, it’ll smell awful in here byomorrow.”
Daron pulled his hand back.
Marina gathered up the dishes and made her way to the kitchen
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Daron watched her walk away, his gaze lingering on her back for long moment. Then he reached out, picked up the few remaining dishes from the table, and followed her into the kitchen.
“Let me do it,” he said.
Marina took the plates from Daron’s hands and set them down on the counter.
‘Bet Daron’s never even washed a dish in his entire life, Marina thought to herself.
Marina adjusted the water like she’d done it a thousand times, quickly clearing the scraps from each bowl into another dish before dropping them into the sink.
Daron just stood off to the side, watching her like he owned the place. His presence was impossible to ignore.
With that unwavering gaze of his, Marina started to feel a bit on edge for no reason at all.
“Could you help me find a trash bag? I want to throw these out,” Marina said.
Daron agreed right away, “Sure.”
He turned and left the kitchen, found a trash bag in the cabinet, came back, opened it up, and held it open for her.
“Alright, bring it over,” he said.
Marina nodded, turned around, and gently emptied the leftovers into the trash bag Daron was holding open.
As she turned, her soft body brushed lightly against Daron’s elbow–it was so gentle, he could actually feel how soft she was.
Daron glanced down at her, watching the way she handled everything with such care, her face so gentle and focused. His fingers tingled without warning, and for a split second, he couldn’t help but feel like they were a couple who’d just gotten married, still wrapped up in that sweet newlywed vibe.
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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.
