Chapter 262
Marina frowned as she stood up from her seat, watching Jake wanly.
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Jake caught her defensive stance and smirked. After locking the door to the private room, he shot her a mocking grin.
“Marina, relax. We’re old classmates, and I’m not some villain. No need to be scared,” he said.
Marina clutched her phone, her eyes locked on Jake.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
Jake pulled out the chair across from her and sat down, twirling a ring on his finger as he grinned.
“Obviously, I’m here to go on a blind date with you,” he teased.
“Heard Elnora’s been playing matchmaker for you these days,” he added.
Marina’s eyes were indifferent as she said firmly, “Sorry, but I’m not interested in you.”
Jake pushed his tongue against his cheek and smirked.
“But trust me, I’m very interested in you,” he replied.
“You know I’ve always had a thing for you. All these years, every woman I’ve dated had a bit of you in her. If you give me a chance, I swear I’ll spoil you rotten,” he added.
Marina felt sick to her stomach at Jake’s words, her eyes growing icy.
“You should know by now. I’ve never liked you. Not even a little, Marina said coldly.
Kara never hung up. When she realized something was wrong on Marina’s end, she immediately alerted the Gracefall Dining security and told them to get to the Plum Grove private room ASAP.
“Marina, don’t worry. I’m getting help to you right now.” Kara’s voice was clear over the phone.
Jake, still seated, looked up at Marina, who was still standing, and smirked.
“Ask Kara not to bother. I’ve locked the door from the inside, and the spare key’s right here with me,” he said.
As he spoke, he placed the key on the table.
Kara heard Jake and immediately went off on him over the phone. “Jake, you pervert! You!”
With just her and Jake in the private room, Marina took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
Less than a minute later, footsteps sounded outside the Plum Grove private room.
The security guards knocked on the door.
“Ms. Finley, are you in there?” one of them called out.
“Are you okay?” another asked.
Before Marina could say a word, Jake jumped in.
“She’s fine. Tell Ms. Gross, I’m not gonna eat her. What’s she so worried about?” he said.
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12:13 Thu, Feb 12 G
Chapter 262
The security guards quickly responded, “Mr. Taylor, please opethe door Me Grow said if you don’t, the’ll call the police. 1 don’t think you want things to blow up, do you?
Jake heard the voices at the door and let out a cocky laugh.
“Even if you call the cops, so what?” he scoffed. “What are they na do to me?
As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Marina and grinned.
“Marina, are you really sure you want them to call the cops? This the Gracefall Dining, Almost every big shot in Vrufield is a member here. If word gets out, your name’s gonna be stuck to mine for good Who’d ever want to date you after that?” he sneered.
Jake’s grin only widened.
“Even if I don’t touch you, once the rumors start flying, who’s really gonna believe I kept my hands to myself?” he added
Marina quietly exhaled, steadying herself as she met his gaze head–on and spoke in a calm, even voice. “You really want to marry me that badly?”
Jake nodded. “Yeah, I have for years. You’ve been on my mind day and night”
Marina pulled out a chair and sat down, her voice calm and steady.
“Since you’re here instead of Waylon today, I’m guessing you know all about the bride price and assets the Crosby family was supposed to offer me,” she said.
Jake nodded with a grin. “Yeah, I can give you even more.
“I can make every project the Finley family has in Vrufield a hundred times easier than it is now,” he added.
“To Mr. Zamora, you’re just a pretty stray cat he happened to notice on the street. He tossed you a scrap out of pity, gave you a little attention, and that’s it. But me? I’ll be the one you can count on. If you marry me, I swear no one in Vrufield will ever dare mess with you,” he said.
Marina lifted her glass, her voice flat as she replied, “That does sound nice.”
Jake grinned, stood up, and sauntered over to Marina. He rested his hand on the back of her chair, leaned in close, and breathed in her scent right above her head. “Right?”
“Stick with me, and the perks are way better than anything Waylon could ever give you,” he said with a cocky smile.
Marina’s grip on the glass tightened in her hand.
Jake saw how tense she was, leaned in, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered.
“Marina, you smell so good,” he murmured. “Remember those messages I used to send you?”
Marina felt a chill run down her spine, goosebumps breaking out all over her body.
Back in high school, Jake used to send her a ton of dirty messages, and even attached some graphic photos.
Even now, if Marina saw those messages again, she’d still be shocked and grossed out.
Marina glanced at the doorway, noticing the security guards were still outside, working on how to get the door open.
The Plum Grove private room had just one door. The other three sides were solid walls.
The only way in was through that door.
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12:13 Thu, Feb 12 G.
Chapter 262
Marina had to keep Jake at bay until the security guards figured out how to break in
Jake, I’ll admit, what you’re offering is really tempting. But you can’t just seal a marriage deal with a couple of sentences.
“I need to make sure everything you just promised actually lands in my hands. Get your parents on the phone and have them guarantee it to me,” she said, her tone steady.
Jake reached out, lifted a lock of Marina’s hair, and brought it right up to his nose, breathing in with a smug look.
“If I’m making these promises, you can trust I’ll deliver on every single one,” he said, his voice low and confident.
As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and opened up his chat with his mom.
“See?” he said, showing her the screen.
“I really want to marry you. I’ve already discussed everything with my mom a long time ago,” he added.
Marina frowned as she looked at those messages, feeling a wave of unease wash over her. ‘Is he really this serious about marrying me?‘ she thought, her guard going up.
Just then, Jake leaned in and stole a kiss on her cheek.
The damp sensation on her cheek instantly made Marina nauseous. She didn’t hesitate. She raised her glass and aimed it straight at Jake’s head.
Jake grunted in pain, but his reflexes were fast. He caught Marina’s hand mid–swing.
“You little bitch!” he spat.
He raised his hand, about to hit her, but Marina stared him down, her eyes burning with hatred. All the fear and nerves she’d had before were gone.
Jake just grinned and gave her cheek a playful pinch.
“You get all worked up over a kiss. What are you gonna do when we’re married and sharing a bed?” he sneered, his tone full of swagger.
Marina scowled, her disgust written all over her face.
Jake just brushed off her obvious hatred, grabbed her wrist, and pulled it up to his lips, planting a kiss right on her skin.
“I’m letting you off easy this time, since you used to take care of me. But if you ever lay a hand on me again, next time it won’t be just a kiss, you won’t get off so easily,” he said, his voice low and menacing.
Marina felt a wave of disgust. The moment Jake loosened his grip, she yanked her hand free and slapped him hard across the face.
“If I’d known you were this disgusting, I would’ve rather gone blind than ever look your way back then!” she spat.
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