THIS
Just as Marina was about to end the call, Hayley began pleading in a tearful voice. “Marina, tell me honestly. Something awful has truly happened to Daron, hasn’t it?”
Marina took a deep breath and composed herself for a few seconds before replying, “Yes.”
To make sure Daron’s plan went off without a hitch, she had no choice but to keep Hayley in the dark.
Having said that, Marina could say with a clear conscience that she wasn’t doing this to get back at Hayley for all the thir the older woman had done to her before.
After all, in this sution, they both shared similar concerns.
Hayley remained silent for a few seconds after hearing Marina’s answer. After that, she burst into tears and wailed her he
out.
Marina pursed her lips and ended the call without another word.
After that day, Hayley never called Marina again.
However, Bette showed up in Frency.
Marina was very surprised when she saw Bette outside Daron’s VIP suite.
She had assumed that Daron would also keep Bette in the dark.
After all, he had chosen not to tell his aunt Hayley.
However, when Bette walked into Daron’s suite and saw him leaning back in bed leisurely, she didn’t seem surprised at all. She simply settled down on the couch in a comfortable position and started chatting with Daron as if nothing was amiss.
Marina raised one eyebrow quizzically. It would appear that Bette already knew Daron was perfectly fine from the start.
After a while, Bette grabbed a magazine nearby and began flipping through it casually. “When Grandpa heard that something happened to you, he almost wanted to fly here himself.”
Daron replied with a tinge of guilt, “Grandpa called the day before yesterday to check on me. I have already instructed someone to drop him some hints.”
Daron’s message was pretty vague, but Grandpa was so sharp that he should have no problem deciphering the underlying meaning.
Bette mumbled a vague acknowledgment. Following that, she said, “Your aunt dropped by that day to try and get info on you.”
Daron cast his eyes down in silence.
Bette watched him for a while before adding cynically, “She’s really persistent.”
Daron frowned. It was clear he was not happy with Bette’s tone, but he didn’t argue with her. “So did you tell her what’s going on?”
Bette shook her head. “We didn’t even get the chance to say anything before she rushed off on her own. I guess she has already arrived at her own conclusion.”
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Daron didn’t respond.
557
Bette continued languidly, “Your matter is almost coming to an end. You can simply give her a call to bring her up–to- when it’s over. It’s only a few days of anxiety for her, that’s all.”
Daron shot Bette a warning look as he finally spoke in a stern voice, “No matter what, she did raise me for many years. Kindly show her some respect, will you?”
Bette finally relented, and her tone softened significantly. “She has been so anxious these past few days. Do you think s really worried that something has happened to you, or just worried about her own future?”
Daron answered with a frown, “Given her age, why would she still care about her future?”
Bette scoffed, “She may not care at her age, but she still has Zara to think about, hasn’t she?”
Daron simply p
along face in response.
The atmosphere invariably became tense whenever these two talked about Hayley. Marina decided to change the subje quickly. “Alright, alright. Let’s not talk about her anymore. Bette, the reason you have come to Frency is to help settle th problems at the subsidiary office, isn’t it?
“Let’s quickly sort out the subsidiary’s business. Then we can return to Vrufield earlier.”
With Marina trying to play the peacemaker, Bette gave Daron a casual glance and didn’t harp on Hayley any further.
This problem had existed for years.
Bette knew there was no way she could change Daron’s opinion about Hayley overnight.
Marina began talking about the issues at the subsidiary office, and Daron finally began discussing them in detail.
Early the next morning, Marina and Bette headed out together to the Zamora Group’s subsidiary in Frency.
After news of Daron’s accident circulated a few days ago, Victor took control of the subsidiary.
When Bette and Marina arrived, Victor was chairing a meeting while Leo sat by his side.
Every now and then, Leo’s face would show a hint of pride, as if he was proud of how well he had trained Victor.
The subsidiary’s management staff didn’t voice any objections to Victor’s reform proposals. Everyone just kept their heads low or stared at the documents in their hands. It would appear that they were only in this meeting because they had no oth choice.
Now that news of Daron meeting with a mishap had been confirmed, it was likely that Leo and Victor would take over the helm at the subsidiary office.
If these management staff put a foot wrong, they might very well get fired.
The job market was very tough right now.
If they lost their jobs now, they would probably remain jobless for a long time.
When Bette caught sight of Leo’s self–satisfied look, an icy glint flashed across her eyes.
Just then, Verena stepped out of the office pantry and spotted Bette and Marina standing outside the conference room door.
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Chapter 424
When Bette was about to push open the conference room door, Verena hurried over to stop her. “Bette…”
She dashed up to them, but Bette was quicker. She yanked the door open and walked right in.
A hush fell over the conference room.
Leo’s face clouded over as he looked at Bette and Marina. Then he spoke in a stern voice, “What are you two doing here?”
Bette gave a scornful smirk. “Dad, we’re here to represent Daron at the meeting, of course. Why? Are we not welcome?”
Leo frowned at once and bellowed, “How preposterous!
“You grew up in the Blanchard family. You don’t know anything about the Zamora Group’s operations. Now that Daron is in the hospital, you decide to come here and stir up trouble? Aren’t you simply making a fool of yourself?”
Bette pulled out a chair while gesturing at Marina to take a seat. Then she retorted, totally unfazed. “So you are aware that Daron is only warded in the hospital. He’s not dead yet. So what’s the rush to push your bastard son to become the CEO of this subsidiary?”
Leo’s face turned ominous instantly.
Marina observed the two closely. She had to admit that she had never realized how savage Bette could be with her words. N wonder Verena and Leo felt so helpless against her.
Verena walked up to Bette and said in a hushed but firm voice, “Bette, don’t forget that Victor’s name has already been added to the Zamora family tree records. Just like Daron, he is now officially acknowledged as a Zamora descendant, and not an illegitimate son.”
Bette glanced sideways at Verena. “Listening to you, one might think you have become the legitimate wife. So tell me, if a kid born to a mistress is not called a bastard, then what should he be called?
“Seriously, I have no idea. Anyone here got a better word for him? Feel free to enlighten me.”
No one in the room dared to answer. Everyone simply averted their eyes to stay out of the Zamora family’s private dispute.
Verena was so furious that her face turned a deep red.
Back in Vrufield, nobody had any respect for her.
But over here in Frency, after years of going through thick and thin with Leo, most folks treated her like she was the official Mrs. Zamora.
The ruckus created by Bette effectively tore apart this facade Verena had painstakingly built up and rubbed her nose in the dirt in public.
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.
