Chapter 217
he looked into Marma’s beautiful eyes and spoke softly. “Back fren, you insisted on breaking off the engagement with the Zamora family
After that, the Zamora family cut ties with the Finley family, and your business took a hit.
People have to pay for their actions and choices, not go round bathetically trying to hold onto something they already walked away from, like you’re doing now.
Wouldn’t you agree, Marina?*
As Bette spoke, her voice was gentle and warm, her expression soft and kind, but there was an undeniable authority in the way she carried herself.
Marina met her smiling eyes, and her heart gave a little flutter.
Daron’s eyes were a lot like Bette’s. Both had that cold, aloof aura that made people think twice before getting close.
“Yes,” Marina replied under her intense stare,
Bette was clearly satisfied with her answer.
“Since you get it, I trust you know what needs to be done,” she said.
Marina nodded.
“I’ll keep my distance from Daron. I’m not going to pine after him or chase after something that’s never going to happen,” she replied.
With the answer she wanted, Bette stood up from the couch, towering over Marina, who sat quietly.
She said calmly and composedly, “I know about Elnora’s health. She’s a real powerhouse, and I respect that. As for you playing this angle, I can turn a blind eye.
“Elnora managed to get the Campbell family on board by putting pressure on the Clark family, and the Finley Group is going through a major transition right now. I doubt you’d want to be a burden to her.
“I’m not the type to play the villain, and I don’t want to do anything shady. You’re smart, Marina. I’m sure you get what I’m saying, right?”
Marina’s fingers tightened for a moment at her side, then she let go.
“Got it,” she said.
Bette gave her a look and was about to leave.
Marina quietly said, “I don’t want to push you into doing something you’d rather not, Bette. But could you please give the Finley family and me a little time?”
Bette paused and looked at her.
“What kind of leverage do you think you have to negotiate with me?” she asked.
Marina looked up at her and replied, “Whatever little worth I still have in Daron’s eyes. Do you think that’s enough to put on
the table?”
Bette narrowed her eyes. “Are you threatening me?”
18:46 Fri, Jan 30 G a G
Chapter 217
Marina shook her head and said, “Ljust don’t want to risk offending Daron right wheir the Finley Group is trying to furn things around. It I do, the whole transformation could fall apart
You know men well, right? When something’s almost in their grap and then slips away, they won’t stop thinking about it for a long time“.
Bette lei out a cold laugh and said, “You really think Daron is just like those other guys?
Marina replied. “That’s just human nature. You willing to take that gamble?”
Bette frowned.
Ever since Marina had called off the engagement, Bette had seen Daron acting out of character. She’d noticed every single change.
Bette thought. He wouldn’t let Marina live in his house for no reason. I honestly don’t dare to bet on that.
She said, “Before the Zamora and Milner family weddings even Happen, you’d better vanish from Daron’s side. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to do something nasty to Elnora.”
With those words, Bette strode out, not even bothering to sparc Marina a single glance.
When the door slammed shut, Marina’s posture, which had been tense and upright, finally gave way. She slumped down.
She sank into the couch, threw an arm over her face, and lay there for a long while, trying to steady her breathing and pull herself together.
When she finally lowered her hand, her eyes were rimmed with red.
The room was dead silent, and the shards of the broken glass on the floor quietly reminded her of the exhausting battle she’d just fought.
This was the first time since leaving Vrufield that Marina had come face–to–face with someone from the Zamora family.
That was not right. Bette was from the Blanchard family.
If she really wanted to gamble everything, the Finley family wouldn’t just be up against the Zamora family. They’d have the Blanchard family breathing down their necks, too.
With the way things were for the Finley family right now, there was no way they could survive that kind of pressure.
Marina took a deep breath, got up from the couch, and started picking up the broken glass on the floor.
But the moment her hand reached out, a sharp shard pricked her finger.
Bright red blood started dripping from her fingertip.
Just then, Daron called her.
Marina stared at the flashing screen, her mind blank, unable to move for a long moment.
She’d been looking forward to this call all night, but now, out of nowhere, it made her nervous.
She bit down hard on her lip and, just as the ringtone was about to end, picked up the call.
“Mr. Zamora,” she said.
She steadied herself, making sure her voice sounded calm and normal, so he wouldn’t pick up on anything unusual.
2/4
18:46 Fri, Jan 30 G G G
Chapter 917
Daron’s voice was low, and Marina cr
Could
tell he sounded worn out.
374% 0
The Frency branch ran into some issues. I only just got a moment to check my phone,” he said.
Alarina just nurmured an acknowledginent, and the line went sent for a moment.
Realizing she sounded way too casual,
e quickly added, “Is it giving you a hard time?”
Daron finally replied, “It’s pretty bad. Garret’s been injured, and he’s still out cold in the ICU
Marina could tell he was opening up to her, and she just bit her, not saying a word.
Daron went on, “I saw your message. Basil can handle everything else. If you want to head back to Vrufield, you can go whenever you’re ready
Marina held back the hurt inside, her voice barely above a whisper as she asked, “I want to head back today… So does our three–month promise start from now?”
“Alright. You really can’t wait to split, huh? Just want to cut me out of your life once and for all?” Daron said, his voice laced
with irritation.
Marina bit her lip, giving an awkward little smile. She said, “That’s not it at all. I just want to get back to the Finley Group and help Elnora out.
“The company’s in the middle of a huge transition, and she’s got way too much on her plate. Her health isn’t honestly, I hate seeing her push herself so hard.”
Hearing that, Daron’s tone lost some of its chill.
“When I get back, there’s something I need to talk to you about,” he said.
Marina forced down the sting in her heart and answered softly, “Alright.”
Daron noticed how distant she sounded and pressed, “Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”
Marina answered, “No.”
Daron was silent for a moment.
He asked coldly, “Really?”
Sensing the chill in his voice, Marina softened her tone and said quietly, “I’ll wait for you.”
Daron was quiet for a few seconds, then let out a soft sigh, sounding a bit helpless.
He said, “How did I never notice before how stubborn you are? That day…”
Before Daron could finish, someone interrupted from his side of the line.
“Mr. Zamora, Garret’s awake,” the man called out.
great, and
As soon as Daron heard, he spoke quickly into the phone, “I need to get going. Take care on your way back to Vrufield.
Before Marina could even say something, it already hung up.
She stared at her phone for a while, then set it down on the table. She looked down at her finger, the one that had been bleeding earlier.
The blood had already dried up, and the sting from before had faded away.
18:46 Fri. Jan 30
Chapter 917
Time really did heat all wounds.
survivedi
Litten years
ago. And she
could I survive
it all
over
again.
AD
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.
