Chapter 492
Marina had a dinner engagement tonight.
When Daron called her, she was already in a private room at the restaurant.
Emeric watched as Marina returned to the private room after her call. Once she sat down, he lowered his voice and said, “If you have something to take care of, you can head back. I can handle things here”
Marina shook her head slightly, declining Emeric’s offer.
I’m good, I can handle it, she replied.
She’d already handled all the online drama. How Zara was to be dealt with was Daron’s problem.
She was only in charge of payback, not the aftermath.
Besides, this business dinner was a golden opportunity for the Finley Group.
Marina stuck it out until the very end, only letting herself relax after seeing off all the important guests.
Even though Emeric had helped her out with a lot of the drinking, she still felt a bit dizzy.
Emeric noticed her cheeks were flushed, and it was obvious she was already a little tipsy.
Let me have the driver take you home,” Emeric suggested.
Marina nodded, and once she finally relaxed, she felt a little dazed, just tagging along obediently behind Emeric.
Emeric walked Marina over to the car and reached for the door handle, but before he could open it, Daron stepped out of his own car not far away.
Daron looked icy, and Emeric raised an eyebrow, wondering if he’d crossed any lines with Marina tonight.
Daron strode over, his face stormy. He pulled Marina into his arms and asked in a deep, serious tone, “You’ve been drinking?”
Marina nodded. “Yeah, just a little bit.”
As she spoke, she pinched her fingers together to show it was barely anything.
Daron’s face instantly darkened.
Don’t you know how much you can handle?” he snapped.
You get tipsy and don’t even think of calling me to pick you up? You just follow someone else home like you don’t care at all?”
Emeric thought back to how Marina had just been tagging along behind him earlier, and couldn’t help but twitch his mouth. He could tell Daron was throwing shade at him.
Marina tilted her head up to look at Daron, her delicate brows knitting together as she shot back at him right away. “Mr. Chauvin isn’t just some random guy.”
Emeric was speechless.
1/4
Chapter 109
Be honestly wanted to clamp a hand over Marina’s mouth.
Emeric theought to himself. She really can’t read Daron’s mood at all‘
Darm’s face grew even darker, but he forced himself to keep his cool, fixing Marina with a burning stare as he spoke in a cold voice. “He isn’t just some random guy? What is he to you then?”
Emeric was starting to sweat bullets
Marina kept her gaze steady on Daron, nothing but honesty in her eyes.
“Isn’t he the guy you brought in as acting CEO for my sister? Since my sister is willing to let him run the Finley Group, that shows she trusts him.
“And you trust him enough to bring him to my sister, so that means he’s trustworthy. In that case, why can’t I trust him, too?”
Emeric gave Marina a mental thumbs–up.
Daron’s expression finally softened a little.
Emeric quickly shut the car door and walked over to Daron’s car. He opened the door and said with a smile, “Mr. Zamora, Ms. Finley’s a bit tipsy. You two should head home first. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Daron nodded and helped Marina get into the car.
Marina didn’t make a fuss. She just let Daron hold her close and help her inside.
Once the door was shut, she waved goodbye to Emeric, then snuggled back into Daron’s arms.
She gave her forehead a little rub, her head spinning and feeling a bit out of it.
Daron gently rubbed her forehead, then helped her lie down so she could rest her head on his lap.
Marina did as she was told, quietly settling in.
“I thought you weren’t even going to come pick me up tonight,” Marina murmured. Her words were barely above a whisper. but there was a bit of a whine in her tone.
Daron arched an eyebrow, gazing at Marina as she nestled in his arms, eyes closed.
“I’m here, aren’t I?” he said. “Why would you think otherwise?”
Marina opened her eyes, gazing up at Daron’s handsome face so close to hers, and smiled at him.
“I thought Hayley and Zara had you tied up so tight that you wouldn’t even have time to come get me,” she teased.
Daron’s expression soured in an instant.
Marina couldn’t help but smirk, reaching up to gently smooth out the crease between Daron’s brows.
“Actually, I can understand,” Marina said. “Hayley did raise you, after all. I get that. Even if you want to help Zara, I won’t hold it against you.
“You didn’t stop me from doing what I needed to do, and that’s all I could ask for. Sometimes, one just has to appreciate
what one has.”
2/4
Chapter 192
Daro frowned. his voice low and serious. ‘Is that how you see me? You think I’m partial to them?
Marina let at a soft mm.
If Bere can put up with all that, then me taking a little hit is just part of the deal,” she said.
Daron was out for words
“I won’t let you be unfairly treated, he said.
Marina didn’t answer this time. She just closed her eyes again and stayed quiet the whole ride home.
When they arrived at the villa, the driver pulled up and stopped the car.
Daron was just about to reach out and carry Marina, but she suddenly opened her eyes.
“Are we there?” she asked. Her tone had lost its earlier sweetness.
Daron nodded.
Marina pressed her fingers to her brow, then pushed open the car door and stepped out.
Daron followed her out, but before he even had both feet on the ground, he saw Marina stop in her tracks.
He looked over in the direction she was facing and saw Hayley standing at the entrance with Zara.
Marina didn’t move any further. She just stopped and turned to look at Daron.
Daron frowned, looking a little annoyed.
Hayley was already dragging Zara over by the arm, her grip rough and her face seemingly full of anger.
As soon as they reached Marina and Daron, Hayley gave Zara a hard shove.
“Apologize now,” Hayley demanded.
Tears clung to Zara’s lashes, and a fresh slap mark was clear on her pale face.
I’m sorry, Marina. I shouldn’t have leaked your photos, and I never should’ve written those things about you in my diary,” Zara said.
“I never meant to mess things up between you and Daron. I know I was wrong. Please forgive me.”
As she spoke, Zara bowed deeply to Marina.
But Marina quickly sidestepped, dodging Zara’s bow, with a look that said she wasn’t buying any of it.
“What’s this, another performance?” Marina scoffed.
Hayley managed a kind smile and looked at Marina, her voice serious.
“Marina, I saw all that drama online and was absolutely furious. That’s why I brought Zara over to apologize to you.”
“Zara made some terrible choices with friends and got played by people with bad intentions. She acted foolishly. It pains me
to see you take the blame.
3/4
1:13 am
Chapter 492
“I brought her here today. If you want to yell at her or even slap her, I won’t say a work. At her on in how you! second mom, to go ahead and punish her.
Hayley shoved Zara forward again as she spoke.
Zara staggered a few steps before finally catching herself, looking so delicate it was like she’d fall apart of one so much breathed on her.
4/4
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.
