Chapter 2431
Chapter 243
Elnora glanced at the entrance of the banquet hall, then turned to Marina and reached out her hand.
“Want to come in with me?” she asked.
Marina shook her head. “I’m not going in.”
Elnora nodded, not pushing her. She said in a hour, so if you don’t want to go in, that’s fine.”
“I’m heading in now,” Elnora said.
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calm voice, “It’s not much of a business event anyway. I’ll be leaving in half an
It was just another charity banquet where everyone was busy flexing their money and power.
Elnora had stopped attending these kinds of banquets a long time ago.
But this year, Albert had pulled out all the stops to support her reputation, so it would be rude for her not to show up.
Marina watched Elnora walk into the banquet hall, checked the time, then started her car and headed back to the Skinner family.
She bought some fruit and waited patiently at the entrance.
*****
By six o’clock in the evening, she finally spotted Karissa coming home with a bag of vegetables.
Her plain clothes made it obvious she was thrifty.
While she was waiting, Marina asked someone to pull up Karissa’s profile for her.
After Apollo retired, Karissa insisted
working odd jobs at the local market, heading out early and coming home late every
day, almost like she was doing it out of spite.
When Karissa reached her front door and spotted Marina, she frowned, giving her a hostile look.
“Which company sent you? No matter how much you offer, he’s not going to work for you, so just give up already,” she snapped.
Marina wasn’t fazed by Karissa’s attitude. She just smiled, not denying her reason for being there, and got straight to the point.
“Karissa, I’m here to see you,” she said.
Karissa frowned, scoffed, and said, “Let me guess, my husband already turned you down, so now you want me to talk him into taking the job?”
Marina met her
her expression gaze,
open
and honest. She said softly, “I haven’t even met Apollo yet.”
Karissa paused with her key in the lock, studying Marina for a moment.
Marina flashed a friendly smile and suggested, “Karissa, how about we take a walk in the park nearby?”
Karissa finally nodded. “Alright, I’
curious to hear what a young person like you has to say.”
Marina smiled, took the vegetable basket from Karissa, and carried it for her as they walked toward the nearby park.
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09:28 Mon, Feb 9 GO.
Chapter 243
She didn’t rush to mention that she wanted to recruit Apollo.
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Instead, she started with some casual conversation, talking abou everyday life, and then gently brought up all the things Karissa had done for her family without asking for anything in return.
At first, Karissa was pretty standoffish, only giving one–word answers. But once she warmed up, she started reminiscing about her younger days with Apollo.
His dedication to work always far outweighed his devotion to family.
Back when she was young, after giving birth, she had to handle everything on her own. No one was there to help her through it.
He was never really around for her.
Even though they’d been married for decades, they actually spent more time together after he retired than in all those years before.
“He swore that after retirement, he’d never work for any company again, and all his time would be mine,” Karissa said.
“But lately, I can tell he’s itching to get back out there. He’s just waiting for me to give him the go–ahead, but I’m not letting him,” she added.
As she spoke, Karissa let out a soft snort and shot Marina a look, clearly waiting to see how she’d react.
Marina met her gaze with ease, her expression calm and composed. She didn’t look the least bit awkward or confused by Karissa’s sharp words.
“I totally get it,” Marina said.
“After spending your whole life putting your family first, it’s only fair that you want some real companionship now,” she added.
Karissa gave her a sharp look.
“Don’t you think I’m being unreasonable? That I’m just a soft–hearted woman, tying down a remarkable man like him to a life of domestic routine?” she challenged.
Marina shook her head, her voice steady. “No, I don’t think that at all.”
Karissa frowned, her confusion clear as she looked at Marina.
“So, what did you really come here to talk about today?” she asked.
Marina bit her lip, shot Karissa a sheepish smile, and glanced away.
“Honestly, I came here hoping to convince you. But now I realize I shouldn’t have disturbed you,” she said softly.
Karissa was silent for a moment before asking, “Which company do you work for?”
Marina replied softly, “I’m just temping at Zamora Group for now.”
Karissa raised an eyebrow. “Just for now? So you’re a temp?”
Marina nodded gently. “Yeah, just a temp for three months.”
Karissa let out a soft snort. “No wonder you gave up so quickly. So you’re just a temp, huh? You came to me instead of going straight to Apollo, just going through the motions for your job, right?”
Chapter 243
Marina gave a tulpis unde. “No, that’s not onestly, in later yer of Ameriggio. S pod warned
my and help someone with their problem?
Kartese, with her years of experience, immediately picked up on the real meaning bekend Marie’s works
Ts it someone you have feelings for?” she asked
Marina didn’t answer Karissa’s question directly. She put speely, Wonestly, when I first came here, I thought I board in figured out. I was sure I could win you over in no time. Pat after hearing everything you’ve been through. I’m rER WO WIT anymore!
Karissa, loving such an extraordinary man and handling, all the family stuff on your own for so many years. That most ve been really hard, right? Marina added, her voice full of empath
Karissa stayed quiet for a moment, not answering, Marina’s question.
Marina gave her an apologetic smile.
Sorry, Karissa. I didn’t mean to bother your peaceful life. Let’s go back,” she said softly.
Karissa nodded and walked with Marina toward the Skinner family.
When they reached the front door of the Skinner family, Marina gave Karissa both the vegetable and fruit baskets.
Karissa took them, looked at Marina, and asked, “What’s your name?”
Marina said quietly, “Marina Finley”
Karissa nodded slightly and asked in a calm voice, “Does your company have any positions that might suit me?”
Marina paused to think, then gently suggested, “Maybe you could be a nutritionist for the research team?”
Karissa let out a soft snort at Marina’s answer.
“Girl, looks like you’ve even planned out my new job already. So you never really meant to give up, did you?” she teased. Marina bit her lip and quickly raised her hand, as if making a solemn vow. “I swear on my life, every word I said to you came straight from the heart. Not a single lie, I promise. If I’m even a little bit dishonest, then I’ll…”
Before she could finish, Karissa batted her hand away.
“Alright, alright, I believe you! Don’t go making those heavy oaths. It’s bad luck,” she said with a laugh.
“Hand me your business card. Tomorrow, Apollo and I will come by your company and take a look before we make up our minds about joining,” Karissa added.
Marina quickly said, “Anytime!”
She rushed back to her car, grabbed a sticky note, wrote down her name and number, then hurried over and handed it to Karissa.
Karissa took the note, glanced at it, and said under her breath, “So you really are just a temp?”
09:28 Mon, Feb 9 GO
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.
