eing he still didn’t get an answer, Garret logged off the video call and shot Daron another message
Garret: [Did she really bite you? Was it Ms. Finley?]
Daron didn’t reply.
Garret: [You sure you can handle this, Daron? If not, want your cousin to give you some pointer?)
No sooner had he sent that than Daron’s reply popped up in the chat.
It was a photo of two marriage certificates.
The photos on the certificates showed Daron and Marina together.
Garret tapped on the image, but it failed to load.
While Garret was still puzzled, Daron had already deleted the photo.
Right below the retracted message, Daron sent another one.
Daron: [Now, do you think I can handle this?]
Garret was stunned for a moment. He’d already caught a glimpse of the thumbnail, just wanted a closer look, bur Daron deleted it way too fast.
He should’ve just taken a screenshot!
Garret: [Didn’t get a good look. Send it again.]
Daron: [I’ll get you an eye doctor, clearly your vision’s off.]
Garret: [Daron, you didn’t just photoshop that, did you?]
Daron: [Nice try, but that won’t work on me.]
Garret: […]
Marina walked into Daron’s office right as the meeting ended. As soon as she stepped inside, she caught Daron slipping something into the inner pocket of his suit jacket.
She froze for a second, a little confused, then asked, “Why are you pulling out the marriage certificates?”
Daron replied coolly, “Nothing, just checking them out.”
Marina raised an eyebrow and walked over.
“I want to check them too,” she said.
She’d just gotten her hands on the marriage certificates when Daron grabbed them right back. She hadn’t even had a chance to take a proper look.
Seeing her lean in, Daron pulled the certificates out again and spread them out for her.
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But when Marina reached out to take them, he moved them out of her reach.
“Just looking, no touching,” Daron teased.
Marina huffed, “I want to see your certificate.”
Daron’s lips curled into a subtle smile as he flipped open his marriage certificate for her.
Marina lowered her head to check it out, and Daron looked down at her, unable to stop himself from smiling
“Seen enough?” he joked.
Marina nodded.
Daron tucked the marriage certificates back into the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
Just then, the intercom buzzed.
Marina walked over and answered the intercom. “Hello, Mr. Zamora’s office.”
“Hi, this is the front desk. Ms. Milner is here to see Mr. Zamora. She doesn’t have an appointment, so I wanted to check witÏD you first,” the receptionist said.
Normally, Joyce could just walk right into Daron’s office.
But recently, Daron had suddenly fired a few people from the CEO’s office, and rumor had it Joyce was involved. Now, the front desk stuck strictly to the appointment policy.
Joyce had already been waiting downstairs for half an hour and still hadn’t left. She even came by again to push them to make the call, and since they couldn’t afford to get on her bad side, they had no choice but to call.
After all, rumor had it that Joyce was the top contender to become Mrs. Zamora.
They really couldn’t afford to slack off around her.
If she actually became the CEO’s wife one day, their jobs would be hanging by a thread.
Marina glanced up at Daron and said quietly, “Hang on, let me ask him real quick.”
“Hang on, let me ask him real quick.”
“Alright, thank you,” the receptionist replied.
Marina covered the receiver, looked at Daron, and asked, “Mr. Zamora, Ms. Milner’s downstairs. Should I let her up?
Daron replied in a flat tone, “Not available.”
Marina turned back to the intercom, picked up the receiver, and said quietly, “Mr. Zamora says he’s not available right now The receptionist gave Joyce a helpless look.
Seeing the receptionist’s uneasy face, Joyce grabbed the receiver and spoke in a firm voice, “Hello, this is Joyce, I need to see Mr. Zamora.”
Marina’s tone turned cool the moment she heard Joyce’s voice.
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Chapter 279
Hello Me Miner Mario reglind
Joyce recognized Marina’s onion, her gaze hardened and her see prew odit. Ms. Filmy bar you Binding me se pasive e 1 can’t see thro
Marina’s eyes fleshed with helplessness But his tornated the same as she tard Me Mine you new Toy and the front desk after checking with Mr. Zatora. He’s to available right now?
Joyce quietly exhaled, her voice sey. “Par Dacon on the prote
Marina said, “Sorry, Ms. Milter, Mr. Zamora’s tied up at the voter Why don’t you make an appmes and come fac tomorrow?
Joyce’s face darkened. “Do you think I’ve got nothing better to do?
Marina kept her tone bonineslike. “Sorry, that’s all I can do
Joyce’s face turned cold as the shoved the receiver back at the receptionist, then whipped out her phone to call Iron
Marina hung up the intercom and set the receiver down
Daron stood off to the side, washing her, his sone casual as he spoice
“You’re being pretty tough. Not worried shell hold it against you?” he teased
Marina looked up at Daron and replied quietly,
I’m just handling business. If Mr. Zamora doesn’t want to see her, that’s not on me.
Besides, even if I really pissed her off and she tried to come afer me, you wouldn’t anually take her side and go against would you?”
When Marina asked that her eyes turned serious for a moment
Daron looked into her clear, almond–shaped eyes, saw how serious she was, and gently messed up her hair.
He said in a low voice, “You really think I’d ever mix up outsiders and my own people?
Is that what you think? You don’t trust me?”
Marina nodded, her eyes earnest as she looked at Daron “Yeah. Everyone’s been talking about you and Joyce getting engaged, and you never bothered to clear things up. So how am I supposed to trust you?”
Daron frowned, his eyes darkening as he stared at her.
Seriously? I never explained? Didn’t I already tell you?
Marina’s brow furrowed as she tried to remember, but no matter how hard she thought, she just couldn’t recall anything
Maybe Daron had mentioned it before, but it was probably just a quick throwaway line, or he’d slipped it in while they were talking about something else, so she missed the point entirely.
Honestly, she had zero recollection of him ever saying anything about it
Daron watched her concentrate so hard, and knew she’d totally forgotten.
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Chapter 279
Daron reached out, gently lifted Marina’s chin so she had to look him in the eye, his voice low and serious. “Let me set the record straight.
“There’s nothing going on between us. If people are talking, it’s just something the family elders cooked up. It’s got nothing to do with me. I never agreed to any engagement, not before, not now, and I never will.
“Is that good enough for you? If you’re still not satisfied, just say so.”
Marina nodded, meeting his serious gaze. She pressed her lips together, then asked with genuine curiosity. “So, why don’t you want to get engaged to her? Is it just because your family elders set it up? Do you just not like going along with what they decide?”
After all, she’d been matched up by the family elders too, once upon a time.
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.
