An hour later, Daron finally stepped out of the Skinner family.
As soon as Marina spotted him, she started the car and drove over.
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Daron’s brows were tightly furrowed, and it was obvious he hadn’t reached an agreement with Apollo.
Marina got out of the car and walked to the rear passenger side, opening the door for Daron.
Daron bent down and got in, his face serious the whole time.
Marina slipped back behind the wheel, started the car, and drove off to their next stop.
Daron had a corporate event scheduled for tonight.
Daron was in the back seat, making calls, and his whole conversation revolved around Apollo.
Apollo was totally devoted to his career, and Daron could practically feel the energy coming off him during their talk.
But as soon as the subject of joining the Zamora Group and leading a team came up, Apollo, shut it down flat, as if the idea had never even crossed his mind.
Marina stayed quiet the whole time, listening as Daron wrapped up his call. She glanced at him in the rearview mirror, just about to speak, when his phone rang again.
She never got the chance to say what she wanted.
By the time Daron finished his second call, they had already arrived at the banquet venue.
Marina was standing by the car, hadn’t handed the keys to the valet yet, when she saw Joyce Milner walking over from not too far away.
“Daron,” Joyce called, catching his attention.
Daron paused, checked his watch, then said to Marina in a neutral tone, “You’re done for the day.”
Marina paused, looked up at him and met his gaze, then finally nodded, her expression calm but a little uncertain.
“Thank you, Mr. Zamora,” she said.
She offered him the car keys.
Daron didn’t reach for them. Instead, he said flatly, “You drive it back.”
Marina asked, “How will you get home after the banquet?”
Just then, Joyce walked over and slipped her arm through Daron’s, looking completely at ease.
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Chapter 242
“Ms. Finley, were you invited to the banquet as well?” Joyce asked.
There was no trace of hostility in her gaze, just a faint smile playing at her lips.
Marina looked up at Joyce, her face wearing a professional smile.
“No,” she replied.
“I was just dropping Mr. Zamora off,” Marina added.
Marina instantly regretted asking. With Joyce around, Daron obviously had a ride home.
‘Seriously, what a dumb question,‘ she scolded herself.
Joyce shot Daron a sideways glance, tilting her head a little, as if to ask what was up with him.
Daron simply adjusted his cuff, saying nothing.
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Joyce picked up on Daron’s resistance and had no choice but to let go of his arm, though her smile stayed perfectly in place.
“You’re already here, Ms. Finley. Why not come in with us?” Joyce said with a friendly smile.
But before Marina could say anything, Daron answered for her, shutting it down.
“She’s heading home to rest,” he said flatly.
Marina pressed her lips together, and it hit her. Daron had never planned to let her join the banquet.
Her grip on the car keys tightened just a bit, but she kept her cool.
Joyce just went, “Oh. That’s too bad.”
Daron didn’t say another word. He turned and walked into the banquet hall, not bothering to wait for Joyce.
Seeing this, Joyce followed after him.
But after taking a couple of steps, Joyce stopped again. Seeing that Daron had no intention of waiting for her and had already used his access card to head straight inside, she turned back to Marina with a smile.
“Did you get an invite to the banquet, Ms. Finley?” Joyce asked.
Marina didn’t answer.
Joyce lightly covered her mouth with her hand, pretending to be apologetic.
“Oh, sorry, my memory’s terrible. The Finley Group has been struggling just to stay afloat these past few years, probably hasn’t had the chance to do any charity work. So of course you wouldn’t be on the guest list,”
she said.
Just as Joyce finished her little speech, Elnora Finley’s voice drifted over from nearby, dry and unmistakably
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Chapter 242
unimpressed.
“Appreciate your concern, Ms. Milner, Elnora replied.
:.
“The Finley Group isn’t just on the guest list. We’re actually seated ahead of you?
“Did you even look at your invitatión?” Elnora added.
Joyce’s smile flickered for a moment, but she quickly smoothed it out.
“Oh? Guess I missed that,” Joyce replied, sounding casual.
Elnora strolled over to Marina, giving Joyce a chilly look and a polite smile.
“Better keep an eye out next time, Ms. Milner, Elnora said.
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Then, as if remembering something, Elnora added, “By the way, I heard the Milner family just named their heir. Since your brother got the spot, looks like you’ll still be living easy. Congrats.”
Joyce’s smile faded so quickly it was almost visible to the naked eye.
Her father ran the Milner family, and she was his only real daughter.
But her father’s so–called heir was just an adopted son from a distant branch.
They’d rather give the family fortune to an adopted son than trust her with it. That was as good as telling everyone she was worthless.
Sure, she could keep living the easy life for now, but with no real power, it was only a matter of time before she got kicked out of the Milner family’s inner circle.
Elnora wasn’t congratulating her at all. She was just trying to get under her skin.
Joyce swallowed her anger and fired back right away.
“Well, congrats to you too, Ms. Finley. You’re always so busy, but lucky for you, there are so many women willing to take turns keeping Mr. Campbell company. Your married life is going to be a breeze. People must be dying of envy,” Joyce said.
Elnora replied coolly, “If you’re so jealous, want me to save you a spot?”
Joyce was stunned, completely at a loss for words. She shot Elnora a venomous glare, then turned and stormed into the banquet hall, refusing to let Elnora get another word in.
Elnora didn’t spare Joyce a second glance. She turned to Marina and said, “Are you driving Daron around these days?”
“Are you driving Daron around these days?”
Marina shook her head and replied quietly, “I’m his personal assistant.”
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Chapter 242
Elnora raised an eyebrow. “So does that mean you’re at his beck and call all day, every day?”
Marina nodded, looking a bit resigned, but quickly added,
“But Mr. Zamora just told me I could clock out for the day,” Marina said.
Elnora raised an eyebrow.
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Marina glanced at the banquet hall, then quietly asked, “Elnora, hasn’t the Finley Group been having money troubles? How did you end up getting an invite to this event?”
This gala was organized by the top brass, and the seating goes by who made their charity donations first.
Marina had thoroughly looked into the Finley Group’s finances lately, and she knew just how bad things were.
There was no way they could afford those lavish charity donations just for appearances.
Elnora glanced at her watch and said flatly, “Albert made the donation under my name.”
Marina was taken aback, blinking in surprise.
Marina thought to herself, ‘Even if Albert can’t give my sister the perfect marriage, at least he’s generous with his cash, and honestly, that’s not a bad trade–off.‘
Elnora was always practical, she knew exactly what she wanted out of life. She definitely wouldn’t lose sleep over Albert’s other women.
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.
