Chapter 326
Only then did Marina look up at Daron, nodding solemnly. “I heard you, Mr. Zamora.
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Daron noticed she didn’t seem happy at all that he’d chosen her side. His face instantly frosted over, and with a cold snort, he strode straight into the hotel.
Bette got out of the car, watching Daron storm off. It was obvious he was seriously pissed at Marina.
Just thinking about how Daron had always taken sides with Hayley and Zara before made Bette’s blood boil.
Even though Daron had clearly taken Marina’s side this time, Bette had zero intention of helping him talk Marina into making things work with him.
Bette gave Marina a friendly pat on the shoulder and said with a smile, “Looks like you’ve got the right attitude. Pretty professional.”
Marina smiled back. “Thanks for the compliment, Ms. Blanchard.”
Bette replied in a calm voice, “I’m about the same age as your sister. Before she went to Port City for treatment, she asked me to look after you. So you should call me Bette.”
Marina’s head snapped up, her eyes wide as she stared at Bette.
She’d thought Bette had stopped targeting her because she and Elnora had patched things up.
‘So this is how they settled things between them?” Marina thought, a little stunned.
‘Did Elnora really open up to Bette and tell her about her illness, just so Bette wouldn’t give me a hard time?‘ Marina thought, her heart aching.
Seeing Marina’s eyes grow misty, Bette knew she’d realized the reason she and Elnora had patched things up.
“Don’t worry. Since I promised Elnora, I won’t make things difficult for you anymore,” Bette said.
“And since Elnora confided in me about her illness, that means she trusts me. I won’t breathe a word of it to anyone,” she added.
Marina nodded, gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you, Bette.”
Bette let out a soft snort. “No need to thank me.
“It’s not like there was ever any real bad blood between me and your sister. All these years, I was just waiting for her to finally give in.”
Marina never really understood the grudge between Bette and her sister.
When she left Vrufield, things between Bette and Elnora hadn’t gotten so bad yet.
After she returned, she hardly heard any news about Bette anymore.
Bette strode past Marina, and Marina looked up, watching Bette’s back as she walked away, her lips tightening thoughtfully.
Hayley and Zara got out of the car next to them.
Zara was sitting in her wheelchair, her eyes red and puffy. Obviously she’d been crying
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11:40 am DD
Chapter 326
Hayley pushed Zara’s wheelchair away, and as they passed Marina. Hayley said in a calm sonce. Ma. Finley, Zara tubet man to target you. She feels really bad about you missing the group photo”
“But isn’t it a bit much to keep bringing it up?” she added.
Marina kept up her polite smile, even as Hayley was having a go at her. She answered in a gentle voice, non lesting Hayley’s words get to her. “It’s really not that serious.”
I never made a big deal out of it. Honestly, I’m the one who missed out, but somehow it’s Zara who’s in tears. I don’t really get it.”
Zara paused, her eyes flickering with a complicated emotion. She hurriedly wiped her tears away.
Hayley fixed her gaze on Marina, her voice cool but with a warning edge. “Daron only defends you because you’re his wife Just because he has your back doesn’t mean you get to disrespect me or Zara
Marina stood her ground, meeting Hayley’s eyes without flinching.
“I don’t take baseless accusations from anyone. If you’ve got something to say, Hayley, just say it straight,” she replied, ber voice unwavering.
Hayley met Marina’s eyes, and the determination and seriousness she saw there made her retort die on her lips
She’d always pegged Marina as a pushover, but now, there was a steely glint in her gaze that Hayley hadn’t seen before.
Hayley said, “Just so you know, Zara and I have always been part of Daron’s inner circle. Him marrying you doesn’t mem he’s going to push us aside.”
Marina stayed calm. “So, what’s your point? Or is there something you’re worried about?”
Hayley frowned.
Marina met her gaze, cool and unbothered.
‘Seriously, you don’t need to stress. You and I have totally different places in Daron’s world, right” Marina said
As she spoke, Marina glanced down at Zara in her wheelchair and said softly, “Miss Blanchard, don’t you have your own role here? Or maybe you’re not satisfied with it, so you’re thinking about taking someone else’s place…”
Enough! Stop talking nonsense!” Hayley snapped, cutting Marina off before she could finish
Marina kept that faint smile on her lips, her gaze steady as she looked straight at Hayley
‘If you think I’m just talking nonsense, then let’s just stick to our own roles and keep out of each other’s way,” she sai
Hayley had planned to teach Marina a lesson, faunting her status as Daron’s aunt to make sure Marma didn’t start acting all high and mighty just because Daron was on her side.
But after all that back–and–forth, she didn’t get a single win out of it.
‘Keep out of each other’s way? Yeah, right, Hayley scoffed inwardly, her irritation summering.
With Marina marrying Daron, she’d already slammed the door on Hayley’s shot at something bigger
How could they not interfere with each other!
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11:40 am DD
Chapter 326
Hayley pushed Zara’s wheelchair past Marina.
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As they passed, Zara looked up at Marina, her lips pressed together, and spoke in a low voice, “Ms. Finley, I think you might have misunderstood me. I’m really not thinking anything like that.”
Marina kept her smile, her tone gentle and patient as she replied, “Miss Blanchard, you’re mistaken. I haven’t been trying to guess what you’re thinking at all.”
Zara was lost at words.
Marina kept smiling and spoke softly, “The meal’s about to start. You two should go ahead and take your seats.”
Hayley shot Marina a frosty look, with none of that kindness she usually showed in front of Daron.
She pushed Zara past Marina without another word.
Marina remained unfazed and courteous throughout, never letting anything Hayley or Zara had said earlier ruffle her
composure.
Inside the hotel lobby.
Bette stood in front of Daron, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She drew her gaze back from across the room and said calmly.
“Marina’s really on top of things. She’s treating being your wife like it’s just another gig. She doesn’t flinch no matter who tries to give her a hard time.”
“Daron, you’re truly lucky to have such a wonderful wife. She’s so easygoing. She can handle your aunt’s displeasure without you having to lift a finger.”
Bette knew what mattered to Daron, so she struck at his heart with full force.
Sure enough, Daron’s face darkened the moment he heard Bette’s words.
He shot Bette a frosty look and said in a low, cold voice, ‘Have you had a lot of free time recently?
Bette nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got plenty of time on my hands. What, you want to throw some work my way?
Daron gave her a frosty look. “Sure, but let’s see if you’re up to the challenge.”
Bette looked completely unfazed. There’s no deal I can’t close.
Daron sneered at her, his eyes icy as he let out a cold, mocking chuckle.
Bette suddenly had a sense of foreboding
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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.
