Chapter 175
Carter walked out of Marina’s office with a grim expression on his face.
Daniel watched him leave, then peeked into the office to make sure Marina was alright. Once he saw she was fine, he got back to work.
Lavern showed up right on time.
As he stepped out of the elevator, he spotted Carter waiting by the doors and immediately put on a big smile, greeting him warmly.
“Mr. Finley, did you and Marina finish talking?” Lavern asked.
“It’s almost lunchtime. How about coming to my office for a bit? I can give you a quick tour of our company, and then we can grab lunch together with Marina,” Lavern suggested.
Carter let out a cold snort, shooting Lavern a frosty glare.
“Mr. Ross, you’ve already sold off all your shares in Ross Group. Why are you still stringing me along? Do you really think my time is worthless?” Carter snapped.
Lavern’s face changed, a flicker of guilt flashing in his
eyes.
“Mr. Finley, please, let me explain.” Lavern stammered.
Carter shoved Lavern aside at the elevator doors, his voice sharp and commanding.
“Don’t contact me again. We’re not that close. Get lost,” Carter snapped.
Lavern was startled by the harsh glare in Carter’s eyes and stood there awkwardly, too scared to say anything else.
“Mr… Mr. Finley, take care,” Lavern mumbled, his voice trailing off.
Carter didn’t even look at him, just hit the elevator close button and left.
Marina stood at her office door, watching Lavern grovel in front of Carter. She let out a cold laugh and walked straight past him, heading for the employee area.
Lavern heard Marina’s mocking laugh and shot her a resentful look.
“Marina, you know I only sold my shares in Ross Group to Daron because he had me backed into a corner. Why couldn’t you speak up for me in front of your dad? Now he thinks the worst of me,” Lavern protested.
Marina shot him a mocking look. “Who do you think you are? Why should I bother explaining anything for you?”
Lavern’s face fell. He stepped forward, trying to grab Marina by the arm, but just then, Daniel suddenly appeared from the employee area.
Chapter 175
Lavern quickly withdrew his hand, a flash of frustration flickering in his eyes.
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Marina didn’t even bother to look at him. She walked straight into the employee area to gather the team for a quick meeting.
Daniel planted himself in the doorway, making sure Lavern couldn’t get past.
Realizing he had no way to approach Marina at work, Lavern gritted his teeth, pissed off.
He took a deep, frustrated breath, then turned and walked away.
‘Whatever. Tonight at the class reunion, I’ll have another shot, Lavern told himself.
*****
Before the end of work, Marina already got a bunch of messages from her classmates, all subtly asking if she’d be coming with Lavern and when she’d get there.
She just skimmed through them and didn’t bother replying.
When she got off work, Marina sent Daron a quick message.
Since they were living under the same roof now, Marina instinctively felt she ought to let him know about her plans.
Marina sent Daron a WhatsApp message: [I’m going to a class reunion tonight.]
Daron replied almost instantly: [When will you be back?]
Marina thought for a moment, then typed out her response.
Marina: [Not sure yet.]
Daron: [Make sure you’re back before nine.]
Marina raised an eyebrow. Just from his message, she could totally imagine the stern look Daron must’ve had while holding his phone.
Marina: [Okay.]
She shot back her reply, put her phone away, and walked into the elevator.
The elevator had barely gone down a floor when the doors slid open.
Lavern was waiting by the elevator. When he saw Marina, he gave her a soft smile.
“Marina, come with me. I’ll give you a lift,” Lavern offered.
Marina didn’t even spare him a glance. “What, you think I can’t afford a car? Or maybe I can’t drive? Or is it that I can’t even pay for Uber, so I have to cram into your car with you?”
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Lavern was stung by her words, and his gentle smile faltered.
“Marina, listen- Lavern started.
Marina cut him off. “Just standing here in the elevator with you, breathing the same air, is already making me feel sick.”
Lavern’s face stiffened. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his cool.
“It’s not just us in the car. Yara’s coming too. She asked me to grab you first, then pick her up. She hasn’t had a proper talk with you in a long time, and she really wants to chat,” Lavern said.
Marina let out a mocking laugh and shot back. “What, she doesn’t have my number? Or is she really so desperate she needs you to pass the message for her?”
Lavern’s brows knitted together, clear annoyance in his eyes.
“Marina, Yara’s your best friend, no matter what. Why are you taking it out on her just because of me?” Lavern said.
Marina snorted, “Seriously? Just telling the truth counts as taking it out on her?”
Lavern was left speechless.
The elevator doors opened on the first floor, and Marina strode out without a second glance.
She’d already called an Uber ahead of time, so she walked straight over and got in without hesitation.
Lavern just stood there, watching her car pull away, clenching his phone so hard his knuckles went white, his face twisted with frustration.
Marina felt her phone buzz and looked down at her screen.
It was another message from Daron.
Daron: [Send me the address for the reunion.]
Marina sent him her location right away, adding the private room number for good measure.
Daron: [I’ll have Eddy pick you up on time.]
Marina was about to turn him down, but knowing Lavern and Yara would be around, she figured it was safer to accept.
Marina: [Thanks, Mr. Zamora.]
When Marina arrived at the restaurant for the class reunion, she walked up to the private room. She was just about to open the door when someone inside beat her to it.
The class president, Harvey, was clearly taken aback by how stunning she looked.
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“Marina, you’re here! Didn’t you come with Lavern?” he asked.
As he spoke, he peeked behind her, obviously searching for Lavern.
Marina gave a faint smile and replied, “Beats me.”
Harvey hesitated before asking, “Marina, did you two really break up?”
Marina nodded. “Yeah.”
Harvey looked like he wanted to say more, but then he spotted Lavern and Yara walking down the hallway together.
He stopped mid–sentence and waved Marina over to take a seat.
Marina nodded and sat down.
As soon as Yara walked in, she cozied up next to Marina, linking arms with her in a show of affection.
“Marina, why did you come by yourself? I specifically asked Lavern to bring you along so we could have a good chat in the car,” Yara said, her tone all warm and friendly.
Marina flashed her an insincere smile. “Isn’t chatting here just the same?”
Lavern took the seat beside Marina but kept his mouth shut, not daring to start a conversation, afraid she’d embarrass him in front of everyone.
Yara kept chatting with Marina, making sure the conversation never died down.
As the private room filled up with classmates, Yara started laying on the guilt.
“Marina, Lavern’s had feelings for you since high school. He chased you for three years, and you only agreed to date him in college. All of us have watched you go through sweet times and storms together,” Yara said, her voice full of emotion.
“It’d be such a shame if you two just ended things like this,” Yara added, sounding genuinely regretful. After Yara spoke, most of the classmates nodded along, urging Marina to give Lavern another chance.
Lavern, right on cue, let his eyes well up with tears. He lifted his glass and took sip after sip, looking heartbroken and wronged.
Marina only smiled faintly, saying nothing.
Seeing that, Yara pushed further. “Lavern knows he messed up lately. He just got played by that bitch and screwed up. From what I heard, it was all her fault-”
Before Yara could finish, someone violently yanked her hair from behind.
She shrieked and spun around, only to see that the very “bitch” she’d been trash–talking was standing right there, gripping her hair.
8:54 Wed, Jan 7 d.
Chapter 175
:
Shawna’s face was twisted with anger, her expression wild and furious.
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“Who are you calling a bitch? Look who’s talking! You’re the real bitch here!” Shawna snapped, her voice trembling with rage.
Chaos instantly erupted in the room.
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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.
