Chapter 503
After Matthew finished speaking, he let out a hearty laugh.
“Harris, I told you, Martin will definitely succeed, Matthew said.
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Harris nodded and said, “There’s no way a Zamora family member could fail. If Martin has made it this far, it’s because he’s got what it takes.
“Martin, make sure you give it your all. We’re counting on you?
Martin knew everything Harris said was just polite words to save face.
He smiled and, noticing Daron stand up to head toward the kitchen, called out to Harris, “Grandfather, please rest assured As long as the Zamora Group is in my hands, nothing will go wrong
He added, “And really, it’s Zara we have to thank for this project. That’s why I brought her to the family dinner tonight.”
Martin’s words were a direct jab at Daron, meant to hit him right where it hurt.
He was itching to see Daron crack, but instead, Daron didn’t even bother to look at him or Zara.
Matthew gave Martin a sharp look and said sternly, “Zara was just assisting. The real credit goes to the researchers at the
institute.”
“Don’t put Zara on a pedestal.”
Zara’s heart was in her throat after Martin’s words.
Seeing Daron completely ignore her, she couldn’t help but bite her lip, anxiety twisting inside her.
Daron really doesn’t give a damn, Zara thought. ‘He doesn’t even care if I steal Cloudtop’s secrets.
Noticing Zara’s gaze lingering on Daron, Martin immediately slipped his arm around her waist and gave her a little pinch.
Zara snapped back to reality.
Harris played along with Martin and Matthew, pretending not to notice their little show. He smiled and said, “There’s an oki saying that’s really true.”
A tree dies when you move it, but a person thrives when they change their environment.”
“Zara wasn’t anything special when she worked with Daron, but now that she’s with Martin, she’s suddenly started to shine
‘Martin’s only just started at the Zamora Group, so he’s still finding his way and doesn’t have many people be can truly rely on yet. Having Zara as such a trusted ally by his side is really a blessing for him.
‘Martin, you’ll have to join me for a few drinks later. I want to toast your success.”
Martin forced a couple of laughs and could only reply, “Sure”
Harris just played along with their little show, leaving Matthew with no chance to feel superior for even a second.
And there was a lot going on beneath the surface of Harris’s words.
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He kept smiling, looking all kind and grandfatherly, but if you listened closely, his words were actually a subtle dig at Martin.
He was basically calling out Martin for not having any real talent on his team.
Even someone like Zara, who couldn’t even get noticed at Cloudtop, suddenly became a big deal under Martin.
Martin and Matthew fell completely silent.
Martin sat on the couch with a slightly sour expression.
Zara, feeling awkward, quietly said, “I’m going to the restroom.”
Martin didn’t even look at her, his expression distant.
“Yeah,” he said.
Zara turned and walked toward the restroom.
But once she got there, she slipped down the other hallway and headed straight for the kitchen.
She’d lived in the old house for years, so she knew every corner of it like the back of her hand.
Daron was out back, on the phone.
Zara spotted him, pressed her lips together, hesitated for a moment, then headed his way.
“Daron.” She stopped a few steps away and spoke up, her voice soft.
Daron hung up, turned around, and looked at her with complete indifference, as if she were a total stranger.
Seeing that Daron wasn’t paying her any attention, Zara quickly spoke up. “The project I’m in charge of is completely different from Marina’s. So please, don’t misunderstand.”
Daron glanced up at her, his tone icy. “You’re worrying too much, Ms. Blanchard. I haven’t misunderstood anything,” he said
“There are plenty of companies developing this kind of project. Even if the Zamora Group is working on something similar to Cloudtop, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. It’s all about capability.”
Zara bit down on her lip, struggling to hold back her emotions.
“Daron, there’s actually something I wanted to tell you about why I joined the Zamora Group… she began, her voice trembling.
Daron cut her off without a hint of warmth. “Ms. Blanchard, that’s your personal matter. I don’t need to know.”
Zara’s expression shifted, and she looked down, silent.
Daron walked right past her without another glance.
Marina had already arranged everything for dinner, and the kitchen staff was busy getting things ready
She heard from one of the kitchen ladies that Martin had brought Zara to the Zamora house
So Marina headed to the front hall.
But when she got to the front hall, Daron and Zara were nowhere to be seen.
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Just as she was about to head out, Martin stood up from the couch and walked over to her, smiling.
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“Marina, this is your first time taking care of everything for the family dinner. How are you holding up?” he asked.
Martin kept his tone friendly and polite as he spoke to Marina.
Marina gave a slight nod.
“I’m used to it,” she replied.
Martin kept smiling and said, “If you run into any trouble, just ask me. I used to help my aunt set up these family dinners, so I know how these things go.”
Marina said, “No need for help, really. This is pretty easy for me.”
Seeing how cool and confident Marina looked, Martin couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow.
“Is that so? You’re really something, Marina. Were you looking for Daron just now? I saw him head out to the backyard, and I think Zara went after him too,” Martin said.
Marina gave a cool nod and replied, “Thank you.”
After that, she headed over to the water cooler, poured herself a glass, and sipped it slowly, completely at ease.
Seeing this, Martin asked, “Marina, aren’t you going to look for them?”
“Aren’t you going to look for them?” he pressed.
Marina replied coolly, “What’s the point?”
Martin gave a sly chuckle. “Marina, you sure seem relaxed about Daron.
“Zara’s had a crush on him for years. Aren’t you worried she’ll cling to him and make him waver?”
Marina just looked at Martin, paused for a moment, and replied calmly, “Why should I be worried?
“Are you trying to come between me and Daron?” Marina asked.
Martin froze for a second, clearly not expecting Marina to put him on the spot like that.
“That’s not what I meant, Marina. I’m just looking out for you,” he replied, patting on his most innocent face.
Marina nodded and said, “You’re right. I should keep my guard up. After all, I have no clue what you’re really alter
“You brought Zara back to the Zamora family, and now you’re making all these cryptic comments in front of me.
“Honestly, I can’t figure out what you’re really trying to do.”
Marina’s expression was dead serious as she spoke.
Marina totally shut Martin down, leaving him with nothing to say. He could only rub his nose in embarrassinent.
Not giving him another glance, Marina shifted her gaze away and walked off toward the kitchen.
As Marina walked into the kitchen, she saw Daron was also heading over.
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Zara stayed a few steps behind him, keeping her distance.
Zara kept her head down, looking especially humble,
Noticing Marina walk in, Zara quickly looked up, her attitude instantly turning respectful.
“Marina…” she called out softly, trying to sound as polite as possible.
Marina shifted her gaze away from Zara and turned to Daron, speaking in a serious tone.
“Did you two have a private chat?” Marina asked.
Daron shook his head. “No.”
“I was out back taking a call from Garret,” he replied.
Marina nodded, clearly satisfied.
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Zara immediately spoke up. “Marina, please don’t misunderstand. I just explained to Daron that my work at the Zamora Group doesn’t overlap with what Cloudtop is doing.”
“I…” Zara began, but Marina immediately cut her off.
Marina interrupted her directly.
“You’re overthinking it, Ms. Blanchard. I haven’t misunderstood, and I wouldn’t jump to conclusions over something like this,” Marina said calmly.
Zara pressed her lips together and fell silent.
Marina went on, “But Zara, you came to the Zamora family tonight as Martin’s date. Slipping out of the main hall just to track down my husband in the backyard? Don’t you think that’s a bit out of line? Shouldn’t you be more worried about Martin getting mad?”
Zara hesitated, her lips moving as if to deny any relationship with Martin, but she just couldn’t bring herself to say it.
When she tried to speak, nothing came out. She simply had no way to refute it.
‘Let’s face it, Zara thought bitterly, ‘if I want any shot at getting into the Zamora family, I have to stick with Martin
‘Otherwise, I wouldn’t even be allowed through the front door,‘ she admitted to herself.
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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.
