Zara was startled by the look in Daron’s eyes and hurried to explain, “Daron, I saw you were busy during the meeting, so I brought over the meeting notes. I was just about to go over the key points with you.”
Daron finally looked away from her and said in a deep voice, “Just leave the notes here.”
Zara parted her lips, wanting to say something else, but when she caught the icy, almost forbidding look in Daron’s eyes, she swallowed her words.
Her heart tightened instantly, and she could only place the meeting notes on Daron’s desk before quietly leaving.
Just as Zara was about to leave Daron’s office, he called her back.
A flash of surprise lit up her eyes, and she turned around at once.
“Daron, is there something else?” she asked.
Daron fixed his gaze on her and said in a low, serious tone, “Next time, knock before you come in. It’s basic courtesy.”
Zara’s face fell a little, and her cheeks turned red with shame.
“Okay,” she mumbled.
She was taken aback that, at her current age, Daron would still go out of his way to remind her about matters of etiquette.
Daron nodded at her response and said nothing else.
Zara could only close the office door behind her and leave.
As the door clicked shut, Zara clenched her jaw, the tension etching faint lines along her tightened jawline.
18822
When Marina arrived in Port City, Reese had come to the airport with Elnora to pick her up.
Marina came alone, carrying a bunch of local specialties she’d brought all the way from Sicester.
Among them was a piece of porcelain Daron had gone out of his way to buy from an artist Reese was fond of, as a gift for
ner.
The Campbell family’s servant helped take the gifts from Marina’s hands.
Reese came over, took Marina’s hand, smiled warmly, and said, “Oh, Marina, you’re so thoughtful, but really, you didn’t need to bring all these gifts! Just your presence is enough.”
Marina smiled politely and replied, “It’s really nothing, just a little something for you.”
Reese smiled warmly.
Marina turned her gaze to Elnora.
Reese gently let go of Marina’s hand and said with a smile, “Elnora, you and Marina haven’t seen each other in a while. Why don’t you two catch up?”
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Elnora gave a small nod and walked over to Marina.
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With a smile on her face, Marina didn’t rush into Elnora’s arms as she did before, not with Reese right there. Instead, she said with a grin. “Elnora, you look so much better these days.”
Elnora smiled and nodded. “Reese’s been taking such good care of me, so I’ve been feeling and looking much better lately.”
Upon hearing Elnora mention her, Reese smiled and said, “As long as you’re in good spirits and looking well, no matter how hard or tiring it is, I’ll feel it’s all worthwhile. Come on, let’s get in the car and talk.”
Elnora nodded, grabbed Marina’s hand, and together they headed toward the Campbell family’s cars.
On the way, Elnora took the initiative to ask about the Finley Group.
During this period, she had been recuperating from her illness. Marina also instructed Chuck that if anything urgent came up, he should contact her directly and not reach out to Elnora.
So, Elnora hadn’t asked about the Finley Group at all.
Now that the cancer was finally gone, Elnora couldn’t wait to dive back into work.
Marina filled her in on the situation. “Emeric is super capable. He pretty much handles everything himself. Just focus on getting better, Elnora. Once you’re fully recovered, you can worry about the company.”
Reese also nodded in agreement and said, “I think Marina is right. As things stand, nothing is more important than your health.”
Elnora just nodded softly.
When they arrived at the Campbell family’s house, Albert wasn’t there.
When Marina thought of those gossip stories about Albert, she felt a slight heaviness in her heart.
But since nobody mentioned Albert, Marina decided not to ask.
After arriving at the Campbell family’s place, Reese gave Elnora and Marina some space, heading to the backyard to oversee and arrange the day’s meals.
Seeing Marina hesitate to speak, Elnora said gently, “Albert won’t be back until tonight. He’s gone to Yorelia for a meeting.”
Hearing that, Marina nodded awkwardly and said with a smile, “I didn’t mean to ask about him.
I was actually wondering, Elnora, are you planning to go back to Vrufield soon, or do you think you’ll settle down here in Port City?”
Elnora looked at her and asked, “Do you want ine to go back to Vrufield?”
Marina pressed her lips together and replied softly, “Of course I’d love for you to come back, but if you’re happy here, then staying in Port City isn’t a bad idea.”
After all, Reese was truly kind to Elnora, and Marina could sense the genuine sincerity in her affection.
So if Elnora chose to stay in Port City, Marina would understand.
Still, deep down, she couldn’t help but feel a bit reluctant to let go.
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Elnora paused to think for a moment, then said, “I might end up settling down in Port City.”
Upon hearing this, Marina fell silent for a moment before forcing a smile. “Staying in Port City sounds nice.”
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Elnora reached out and gently ruffled Marina’s hair, saying with a smile, “Just because I’m staying here doesn’t mean I’ll never go back to Vrufield. Don’t feel bad.”
Marina pressed her lips together and nodded.
Maybe it was because they’d spent ten years apart, and now that they were finally reunited, the thought of being separated again made Marina feel a bit emotional inside.
But Marina just wanted Elnora to be happy.
Still, she couldn’t shake off the worry that if Elnora stayed in Port City, Albert might not be able to make her truly happy.
Elnora gently ruffled Marina’s hair and said softly, “The Campbell family has helped our family a lot.
“I’ve still got some things to handle here in Port City. Once I wrap everything up, I’ll head back to Vrufield.”
Marina’s mind raced for a moment as she caught the meaning behind Elnora’s words, then she nodded gently. “Okay, I’ll be waiting for you.”
When people were feeling vulnerable, it was easy to catch feelings for someone who offered a helping hand.
Marina was honestly worried that Elnora might start developing feelings for Albert.
After all, if Elnora really did fall for him, she would undoubtedly be destined to get hurt.
Those tabloid rumors about Albert weren’t just made up out of thin air.
But now that Elnora said she’d return to Vrufield after finishing her business here, Marina finally felt a little more at ease.
In fact, Elnora never truly gave her heart to Albert. She always saw this marriage as nothing more than a business
arrangement.
What made Elnora stand out most was her professional talent.
Reese had wanted Albert to marry Elnora because she recognized Elnora’s abilities.
For now, Elnora planned to use her skills to repay Reese for all her kindness, and for the Campbell family helping the Finley Group out of debt.
Elnora was fully aware of her own worth and also understood that she and Albert would never be a couple with real feelings.
Marina could feel the conversation getting a bit too heavy, so she quickly switched the topic.
Just then, Albert came in from outside, holding a gift.
The first thing he did was say hi to Marina. “Marina, welcome.”
Marina forced a smile and maintained a polite demeanor, saying, “Hi, Albert.”
Albert nodded, then, with a casual gesture, set the brocade box wrapped in silk on Elnora’s lap and took a seat next to her.
Elnora lowered her gaze to the box, then turned to look at Albert.
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Albert smiled and said, “My mom picked this out for you. She said it’s an exceptionally lustrous pink diamond, something you rarely see.”
Hearing that, Elnora replied softly, “I’ll thank her in person later.”
Albert raised his eyebrows and, seeing Elnora place the box to the side, said, “Aren’t you going to open it and take a look?
Come on, let me see what a ring worth tens of millions of dollars actually looks like.”
With that, he clicked his tongue in mock envy.
Reese’s voice called out from nearby, half–joking, half–scolding, “You brat. Like you’d even know how to appreciate something like that!”
Elnora’s expression was serene, but she showed no reluctance or shilly–shallying. She reached out, undid the silk binding, ind opened the box.
The moment the box was opened, a brilliant pink diamond lay quietly inside. Its brilliance made it impossible to look away.
Albert raised an eyebrow, then reached in, took out the ring, and naturally lifted Elnora’s hand.
After slipping the ring onto her finger, he gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips and said with a low chuckle, It looks pretty good on you.”
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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.
