Chapter 464
Joyce was reluctant, but she had to go along with it. She fixed her gaze on Daron, biting her lip, her eyes begging him.
Meanwhile, Daron shifted his gaze away from Joyce, turning to Marina. “You still haven’t told me what you want for lunch,” he said.
As he spoke, he slipped his arm around Marina’s waist, leading her past Joyce. A flash of panic crossed Joyce’s eyes as she saw what was happening, and she hurriedly grabbed Daron’s sleeve. Her voice trembled as she called out to him, “Daron…”
Her words were barely audible, her eyes brimming with anguish. I’m pregnant,” she said.
As soon as Joyce said that, Marina’s steps faltered. She looked up at Daron, searching his face for any sign of emotion.
Daron’s brows knitted, and he spoke to Marina in a grave tone. “You need to stop letting those crazy thoughts mess with your mind,” he said.
Marina just pressed her lips together, keeping silent. She knew there had been almost no contact between Daron and Joyce lately, so there was no way the baby could be his.
Put Daron’s face turned angry as he gave Joyce a cold glare. His dark eyes flashed with hostility. He was determined not to let this kind of rumor stick to him.
“You’d better explain yourself, Daron said, his tone cold.
Joyce froze, surprised that Daron became so cold just because Marina gave him a look. She bit her lip, then looked up at Daron. “Daron, can’t you go easy on Victor? After all, we’ve known each other for five years,” she pleaded.
Joyce and Victor were engaged, so they’d already slept together. Since Leo was involved, the Milner Family was more than satisfied with the match.
Her father had originally planned to bring Allison home from abroad, but after Joyce got engaged to Victor, that idea was shelved. If anything happened to Victor now, Joyce would be of no value to the Milner Family at all. Her parents would probably marry her off to some random guy without even thinking twice.
Daron looked at Joyce with a cold stare, not a hint of emotion in his eyes. “Joyce, you really think just because we’ve known each other for five years, I owe you this? Isn’t that just laughable?” he said.
Joyce’s face went pale as she looked at Daron. She’d always felt that her connection with Daron was more than just a passing acquaintance. At the very least, she considered herself his friend.
She knew it was a long shot to get Daron to agree to her request. But she just had to try. Joyce began, her voice trembling, “Daron, you know it’s always been tough for me with the Milner Family. I…”
But Daron cut her off before she could finish. “Your problems with the Milner Family? Not my concern. Joyce, it’s all up to you. Being pregnant isn’t the end of the world.”
“Victor tried to kill me. You really think I’d just let him walk away? I’m not here to play the hero!” With that, Daron didn’t spare Joyce another glance. He just wrapped his arm around Marina and walked away.
Joyce stood rooted to the spot, her face full of agony and helplessness. The instant Victor landed himself in hot water, Joyce went straight to the hospital to find out about abortion options. Her health was already fragile, and if she went through with the surgery, she might lose her chance to be a mom.
But since Victor was in trouble, if she dared to keep the baby, the Milner Family would toss her out without a second thought. To her parents, her only value was as a bargaining chip in marriage.
1/3
5:46 pm PPP
Chapter 464
0440
65 vouchers
Joyce bit her lip so hard it lost all color, the pain almost numbing her. Her eyes locked onto Daron and Marina’s figures, while her hands at her sides balled up, knuckles white from the force. If Marina hadn’t returned to Vrufield, she and Daron would’ve already been engaged.
She’d already come to terms with the fact that Daron wasn’t going to be her fiancé and had settled for Victor. But reality still hit her like a ton of bricks. Why does life always have to screw me over? Joyce thought, her heart aching with resentment.
Marina could feel a piercing, hostile stare boring into her, making her so uneasy she had to turn around. When she looked back, she saw Joyce still standing, shooting her an intense glare. From the way Joyce was looking, it was clear she was pinning all the blame on Marina. Marina rubbed her brow, a flicker of helplessness in her eyes.
After leaving the Zamora Group, Joyce got into her car and just zoned out, lost in her thoughts. Not long after, a woman in a pink Chanel suit walked up to her car and tapped lightly on the window.
Joyce rolled down the window, frowning at the woman outside, who was plastering on a way–too–friendly smile. “Who are you?” Joyce asked.
Yara greeted her with a polite smile. “Joyce, I’m Yara Slav. We’ve met before. Wendy introduced us,” she said.
Joyce paused, trying to remember her, then it clicked. “Marina’s old high school friend?” she asked.
Yara nodded quickly. “Yep, that’s me, Joyce. I went to high school with Marina,” she said.
Joyce gave Yara a look and gestured for her to hop in. Then, Yara hurriedly opened the door and climbed into the car. “Joyce, I know all about the drama between you and Marina. If she hadn’t come back, you and Daron would be married by now.”
Joyce rubbed her brow, clearly annoyed. ‘Why does everyone have to bring up Marina?‘ she thought.
“Just spit it out. What do you want?” she said impatiently.
There was a ruthless glint in Yara’s eyes as she fixed her gaze on Joyce, looking dead serious.
“Joyce, Lavern’s trial is coming up soon, so I wanted to talk to you about it,” Yara said.
Joyce’s face instantly turned cold after hearing that. “You want me to help him? No way.”
“There’s way too much evidence against Lavern. No way I’m getting involved in that mess,‘ she thought, her mind made up. ‘My spot in the Milner Family is already on thin ice. If I go up against Daron now, I’ll be out on the street even faster.
Yara was caught off guard by Joyce’s blunt rejection. She froze for a moment, then spoke up, “Joyce, I know Lavern’s case is a done deal, but I just don’t want Marina to have it easy.” Her voice tinged with resentment.
“She only dumped Lavern after she got close to Daron, and then she set him up. I’ve got proof!” Yara added, her eyes flashing with determination.
Seeing Joyce wasn’t budging, Yara yanked a stack of printed documents from her bag and shoved them into Joyce’s hands. “This is all the evidence I’ve collected,” she said firmly.
“Marina wrecked Lavern’s future and landed my dad in prison. No way am I just going to sit back and watch her worm her way into the Zamora family and live it up!” Yara spat. “I’m going to make sure she never marries into money.”
Then, Yara sneered. “Joyce, are you really okay with letting her live it up while you’re left in the dust?”
Joyce frowned at Yara. “Do you even know how fiercely Daron’s got her back these days? Do you really think you can afford to piss him off?”
Yara looked up at Joyce and gave her a crooked, fearless smile. “People only get scared when they’ve got something to lose.
2/3
5:46 pm PP p
Chapter 464
Me? I’ve got nothing left. What’s there to be afraid of?” Yara said, her voice cold.
00
56 vouchers
“If it weren’t for Wendy helping me out lately, I would’ve been out on the street, starving or freezing,” she added.
After hearing Yara out, Joyce fished a business card from her purse and slid it across to her. “Whether you’ve got what it takes to drag Marina’s name through the mud, that’s up to you.”
Yara snatched up the card and shot her a grateful look. “Thanks, Joyce. I owe you big time. I’ll never forget this!” Yara said. her voice brimming with gratitude.
Then, Joyce frowned and asked, “What’s that got to do with me?”
Yara put the card away, whispered, then opened the car door and hopped out. As soon as Yara was out, Joyce hit the gas and sped off. Meanwhile, Yara headed off in the opposite direction.
3/3
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.
