Chapter 251
Bette was momentarily gunned by Daron’s words, unable to coffe up with a retort. She prickly tried to explain. I just don’t think Mama’s personality suits you at this point
neudes, sho’x had a boyfriend in Kicester for seven years. You know Marina. She’s bound to use that history to stir up trouble
Your Grandpa was already furious when she insisted on breaking off the engagement. He still controls 13% of the shares. If you upset him now and those shares end up in Marina’s hands, do you really think you’ll be able to hold onto your position in the Zamora Group?
Realizing she was getting a little too heated, Bette caught herself and spoke more calmly.
She said, “Daron. I don’t want us to fight over this. No matter what, I’m always on your side.
“I just hope you won’t get on your Grandpa’s bad side right now
Daron set down his fork, got up, and walked over to the floor–to–ceiling window.
He said in a calm, steady voice, “If Grandpa thinks someone else is a better fit to take over the Zamora Group, he’s free to make that call. But honestly, I doubt he’ll find anyone more capable than me anytime soon.”
He added, “Bette, you’re overthinking this. When it comes to what really matters, Grandpa is sharp as ever.”
Bette let out a soft sigh. “Grandpa can’t really touch you, but what about Marina
“Are you sure she can handle whatever he throws at her? Grandpa Harris is way more ruthless than I am. I might just say a few words, but he doesn’t mess around. He gets straight to the point and doesn’t hold back.”
Daron’s grip on his phone tightened slightly.
Bette replied in a calm voice, “Honestly, it doesn’t even matter why Marina broke off the engagement with you. Back then, Cole invested so much in her, but she was so easily swayed by her mom that she just up and left. I really don’t think she can stand up to Grandpa Harris now either.”
Daron said, “She can handle the pressure.”
Bette let out a low laugh. “So sure, huh? Well, when she was at your place, she told me you two are just colleagues. She said she doesn’t regret calling off the engagement, and she never wanted to get tangled up with you again.”
Daron felt like Bette’s words were a knife, stabbing straight into his chest, and then twisting the blade for good measure.
“Shut up!” he snapped.
Bette could hear his defenses crumble in his voice.
She frowned, suddenly recalling the sly digs Elnora had thrown at her when they met in Port City a few days ago. With a heavy sigh, she muttered under her breath, “Pathetic.”
No wonder Elnora had looked at her like she already had the game in the bag.
Turns out, she’d had Daron all figured out from the start.
Bette cut the call off abruptly, swearing to herself she wouldn’t bother calling Daron for at least the next half month.
She was so mad she could explode.
1/4
Chapter Sål
Daron tugged at his tie the station in fus eyes spilling over
When Marins know kes and stepped inside, the was caught off guard by the piercing glare Daron shot her way, freezing her
that where she stood
Tid i de somthing wrong? Did I somehow get on his bad side Marina thought.
What do you want?” Daron said, his voice icy.
Daron massaged his brow, grabbed his fork, and deliberately avoided looking at her, his tone frosty and distant
Marina pressed her lips together, speaking in a small voice, ‘It’s nothing. You can keep eating.”
Usually, Daron would be done with dinner by now, so she’d come in right on schedule to clear the table.
But to her surprise, he was still eating and looked seriously ticked off.
Was the food really that bad today? Is that why he’s so mad?‘ Maina thought, baffled. “That’s probably not it.
She was still wondering about it as she turned to leave, when Daron spoke up quietly, stopping her.
“Come here,” Daron ordered, his voice cold.
Marina froze for a second, then quickly turned and walked over, standing quietly to the side.
“Mr. Zamora, do you need something?” she asked, her tone cautious.
Daron shot her a look that clearly meant ‘sit, no words needed.
Marina sat down, a little embarrassed, waiting for him to finally say something.
But once she was seated, Daron just focused on his meal, ignoring her completely and not saying a single word.
Marina was still puzzled, just about to ask him something, when Daron suddenly broke the silence, his voice cold and steady.
“Are you scared of my grandpa?” he asked.
Marina was taken aback for a moment, thought about it, and just shook her head in the end.
“I’m not,” she said.
She pretty much knew why Daron was asking her that.
Bette had warned her earlier, telling her to keep that same tough attitude when she was around the Zamora family.
There wasn’t really any big drama between the Finley and Zamora families.
The only real issue was that she’d insisted on breaking off the engagement back then.
She and Daron hadn’t even met in person at that point, so neither of them really owed the other anything.
‘Why should I be afraid of Grandpa Harris?‘ Marina thought, a little amused.
Daron looked pleased with her answer and said quietly, “Good.”
Marina nodded, eyes lowered, thinking for a moment before speaking earnestly. “I’ll make it clear to Grandpa Harris that I’m not trying to cling to you or anything. I…”
“That’s enough. Stop talking,” Daron interrupted her before she could finish, casually setting down his fork, his voice steady
2/4
Chapter 231
and cold
Clear the Table,‘ he said quietly
If Deep eating. I might just choke to death: Daron thought.
He got up from the couch and headed back to his office chair, his eyes lorked on Marina. His brows were drawn tight, those deep black eyes tracking her every move.
Marina focused on tidying up, all the while feeling Daron’s gaze burning into her. She kept her eyes straight ahead, acting like nothing was out of the ordinary, and once she finished clearing the dishes, she slipped out of his office without a word.
It wasn’t until she shut the office door behind her that the heat of his stare finally faded away.
Marina headed to the break room, washed the dishes, and poppel them into the sanitizer. As she waited, her gaze grew a little unfocused, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
She quietly steadied her breathing, took the dishes out of the sanitizer, and put them away in the cabinet.
It’s only three months. It’ll be over before I know it, Marina told herself.
She pulled herself together and walked out of the break room.
Once the time came, Marina headed over to Daron’s office, all business, and let him know it was time to leave for the airport.
On the flight to Frency, Marina grabbed a window seat and spent the whole trip just staring out at the clouds, lost in her own thoughts.
She barely glanced away from the window, zoning out as the world passed by outside.
Daron shot a glance at Marina, who’d been quietly lost in her own world beside him, and finally broke the silence.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked, his tone cool.
Marina snapped out of her thoughts, stayed quiet for a long moment, and then replied softly, “I was just thinking about what I should say when Grandpa Harris comes after me. I want to figure out how to deal with it so he won’t end up hating me, and I can get through it without any drama.”
Daron was surprised that this was what was weighing on her mind. His voice was low and serious as he said, “Did think about any of this back when you insisted on calling off the engagement?”
Marina froze for a second, tried to remember, then shook her head softly.
“No,” she said, her voice low.
Back then, she was young and reckless. She never really thought that far ahead.
All she wanted was to break things off with Daron, just have nothing to do with him anymore.
Daron scoffed.
“If you didn’t care back then, what’s the point in worrying about it now?” he said coldly.
you ever
Marina pressed her lips together and replied honestly, “I kind of have to think about it. Now that I’m back at the Finley Group, I do want to patch things up with the Zamora family.”
Daron glanced at her plain, honest face and remarked offhandedly, “You’re screwed. Grandpa Harris couldn’t stand you ever since you insisted on breaking off the engagement. So when he comes for you, no matter what you say, it’s pretty much impossible for him to change his opinion.
3/4
Chapter 251
Unless Daron let the word hang between them, the suspense dick in the air.
He left it at that, refusing to say more, the silence practically dating her to ask.
Marins was still looking at him, waiting eagerly for the rest, but Baron just pulled down his sleep mask and ignored her. ending the conversation right there.
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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.
