Chapter 282
Joyce never thought Marina would have the guts to provoke her like this.
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She still remembered when Marina first came back to Vrufield. Back then, she couldn’t even look Joyce in the eye, always avoiding her gaze.
‘And now, just a few months later, Marina’s gotten so brazen. Joyce thought.
Joyce took a deep breath, pushing down all her feelings, her eyes growing cold.
“Whether this is just you putting on a show, time will tell.
“You really think sticking to Daron like glue day and night is gonna get you a wedding ring? Dream on.
“Even if Daron was willing, there’s no way Mr. Zamora would ever agree, and the Todds would never let it happen,” Joyce added.
Marina curved her lips into a smile and spoke softly.
“Ms. Milner, you really ought to spend more time with people our age. Seriously, you sound like you’re stuck in the past. We’re not living in imperial times anymore. There’s no crown waiting for the Milner Family, and it’s not like you’re the heir anyway,” Marina said with a smirk.
Joyce’s breath came quick as she shot Marina a death glare.
Marina just looked back at her calmly, not a trace of fear in her eyes.
Marina could’ve just minded her own business and let Joyce do the same, but clearly, Joyce wasn’t having it.
Since that was the case, Marina didn’t need to keep holding back.
She knew how to pick her battles, but she’d never repay malice with kindness.
“What are you two up to?” Daron’s voice came from nearby.
Joyce frowned for a second, but quickly pulled herself together. She turned to Daron, a smile playing on her lips as she spoke softly.
“Daron, I was just chatting with Marina,” Joyce said.
Daron’s eyes, cold and indifferent, moved right past Joyce and settled on Marina.
Marina sat calmly in her seat, looking totally unfazed, like she hadn’t been bothered at all.
Daron looked at her and said coolly, “Come in.”
With that, he turned and headed back to his office, not even bothering to look at Joyce once.
Marina stood up from her seat, gave Joyce a calm smile, and said lightly, “Ms. Milner, mind stepping aside?”
Joyce had no choice but to step back, making way for Marina.
Marina flashed her a faint smile as she walked past. “Appreciate it.”
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Joyce clenched her jaw, glaring at Marina’s back, her eyes filled with frustration.
Just then, Chloe spoke up softly. “Ms. Milner, let me walk you downstairs.”
Joyce shot Chloe a look, with a hint of displeasure in her eyes.
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When she came looking for Marina earlier, Joyce had noticed Chloe was clearly keeping an eye on Marina, as if she was worried Joyce would cause trouble for her.
Joyce looked away from Chloe, her gaze cold, and walked off briskly.
Chloe followed her unhurriedly.
The elevator doors slid open, and Joyce stepped inside, hitting the close button right away.
Chloe didn’t try to follow. She just stood at the doorway, her manner still calm and courteous.
“Take care, Ms. Milner,” Chloe said.
Joyce gritted her teeth, holding back her frustration.
Inside the office*
Marina walked up to Daron’s desk and stopped.
“Mr. Zamora, did you need something?” Marina asked.
Daron looked at her, noticing she was totally unfazed, like nothing had happened at all. He said coolly, “So you’ve finally got some guts, daring to go up against Joyce now, huh?”
Marina’s hands clenched a little at her sides, but she met Daron’s eyes without flinching.
‘Come on, Mr. Zamora, you’re the one who threw me into the lion’s den. How’s that me picking a fight with her?” Marina shot back.
Daron arched an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in his voice. “Oh? I’m the bad guy now?”
Marina nodded, looking dead serious.
“When the front desk called your office line earlier, you told me you were too busy and had me turn her away. But the second Ms. Milner rang your private number, you let her up immediately,” Marina pointed out.
“Ms. Milner thought I was blocking her on purpose, so she blamed me for everything. So tell me, how is that not on you, Mr. Zamora?” Marina huffed.
Marina was obviously ticked off as she spoke, shooting Daron a look full of grievance.
Daron gave a wry smile.
When Joyce had been gone for a while and Marina still hadn’t come in to check in, Daron had a feeling she was probably pissed.
He hadn’t expected Joyce to show up with a Milner Family contract this time, so he’d said he was too busy to see her.
When Marina still didn’t come in, he went out to find her.
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And he just happened to catch her throwing shade at Joyce.
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He saw Joyce clutching her handbag tighter and tighter, worried she might throw a tantrum and lash out at Marina, so he stepped in to intervene.
Daron got up from his chair, walked over to Marina, and wrapped his arms around her.
“So, looks like this really is my fault. Should I apologize?” Daron said, half–joking.
Marina let out a soft huff, her gaze landing on the contract sitting on Daron’s desk. She instantly figured Joyce must’ve come by to deliver it.
She hadn’t planned on bringing it up to Daron anyway. After all, she’d been away from Vrufield for years, and now the whole social web in this city had shifted.
The Milner Family and the Zamora family were still partners, and she was already Mrs. Zamora. Whatever Joyce did, it didn’t change the fact that she was the one married to Daron.
But now, hearing Daron’s voice, which was low and gentle, actually apologizing, Marina felt her eyes sting unexpectedly.
She replied in a muffled voice. “Fine, I’ll forgive you this time.”
Daron tightened his hold on her, speaking softly, “Next time you clap back at Joyce, keep your distance. She doesn’t play by the rules. She’s got a habit of getting physical.”
Marina burrowed into Daron’s arms, nodding quietly. “Alright.”
To be honest, Marina had totally clocked the way Joyce was acting.
Joyce was at her limit, one more push and she might’ve actually thrown hands.
Marina was pretty sure Joyce wouldn’t actually try anything.
After all, Joyce still wanted to look good in front of Daron.
Joyce and Daron weren’t close at all, and she wasn’t about to do something stupid in the CEO’s office at Zamora Group.
And sure enough, Marina’s guess was spot on.
Joyce didn’t even dare let her ugly side show in front of Daron.
After Daron fired those two employees, one of them had messaged Marina to apologize.
The way they worded it made it pretty obvious Joyce had it out for her, even if they didn’t spell it out.
Spending the whole night locked in the bathroom? Yeah, that had Joyce’s fingerprints all over it.
Daron noticed Marina was unusually quiet in his arms, spacing out. He glanced down and saw her looking thoughtful, almost like she was scheming something.
“What are you thinking about?” Daron asked.
Marina snapped out of her daze, grinning up at Daron.
“Just thinking about how to stir up some trouble,” she teased.
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Daron caught the mischief in her eyes, arched a brow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
“Need your husband’s help with that?” he teased.
Marina shook her head, grinning. “Nah, this is just a little thing. I can handle it myself.
“But if I end up pissing someone off too much, you’ll have my back, right? I mean, I am your wife.”
Daron looked into her bright eyes and nodded. “Who else would I protect if not you?”
“Of course I’ll protect you. Who else would I?”
