Chapter 299
Hayley was clearly pleased with Daron’s answer.
She gave a gentle, motherly smile, her eyes settling on Zara as she offered some gentle advice.
[ 55 vouchers
She said to Zara, “Once you start at Zamora Group, make sure you work hard. Don’t expect any favors just because your brother works there.
“Be the one who helps your brother shine.”
When Hayley said “the one who helps your brother shine,” Marina’s hands balled into fists, her heart tightening with unease.
Zara flashed a bright smile and earnestly corrected Hayley’s mistake.
She said, “Mom, you used the wrong word.”
Hayley’s eyes flashed with embarrassment, but she kept her smile and spoke in a calm voice.
She said, “Looks like I’ve been too relaxed lately and made such a silly slip. Sorry for making you laugh at me.”
Her voice was gentle, as if it were just a harmless slip of the tongue.
But Marina could clearly sense that Hayley hadn’t misspoken at all.
Maybe she meant it that way all along.
She could even sense a subtle undercurrent of dissatisfaction from Hayley toward her.
Marina pressed her lips together and stood quietly by Daron’s side.
Daron seemed to notice Marina was upset, and reached for her hand.
Not wanting to embarrass herself, Marina turned to look at the jewelry next to her, completely missing Daron’s gesture.
Daron’s hand found only empty air, and he frowned slightly, catching sight of Marina turning away from him.
‘She’s really serious about keeping our marriage a secret. She won’t even hold my hand when we’re out in public,‘ Daron thought.
Hayley glanced over at Marina and Daron, a subtle smile playing on her lips as she spoke in a gentle tone.
She said, “We’ve got guests coming over tonight, so I need to head back and play host. Don’t be late getting home, you two
Daron gave a slight nod and replied, “Okay.”
Marina turned her attention away from the jewelry and gave Hayley a polite smile.
Hayley smiled back at her, greeting her in return.
The bodyguard Hayley brought picked up the packaged jewelry from the clerk and waited quietly off to the side.
Hayley took a couple of steps, then seemed to remember something and turned to Zara.
She said, “Zara, you just got back, so you’re probably not too familiar with things here yet. Why don’t you look around with
1/4
10:33 am P PPO
Chapter 299
your brother and get used to the place? Maybe you’ll spot something you need.”
Zara linked arms with Hayley, her voice sweet and playful.
155 voushers
She said, “Mom, one of the maids told me you made sure I had everything I could possibly need before I even got here. I don’t need anything else. What else could I possibly buy?
“Why don’t I go home with you and help you host the guests? Let Daron and Ms. Finley keep looking around.”
Seeing Zara’s attitude, Hayley didn’t insist and said gently, “A few of the Zamora family elders are coming over for lunch today. They’re all pretty old, so if you come back with me and end up bored, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Zara smiled and replied, “How could I ever blame you, my wonderful mom?”
The two of them left, chatting and laughing together, looking just like a real mother and daughter.
Marina looked away from them, let out a quiet sigh, trying to shake off the annoyance inside.
Daron looked down at her and asked quietly, “See anything you like?”
Marina shook her head gently.
Daron frowned slightly, pointed at a piece of jewelry, and said in a low voice, “Take that one out and let her try it on.”
The clerk gave a small nod.
Yes, Mr. Zamora,” she replied.
Marina looked up at Daron, her voice soft as she said, “I really don’t need it. Why don’t we just look at something else…”
Before she could finish, the clerk had already taken out the necklace and, with a gentle smile, said to her, “Ms. Finley, why not give it a try? I think this piece would look stunning on you.”
Daron took the necklace from the clerk and, with his own hands, carefully fastened it around Marina’s neck.
Marina bit her lip, steadying herself after the wave of unease brought on by Hayley and Zara’s appearance, then looked at her reflection in the mirror.
The clerk stood to the side, professionally introducing the piece.
This necklace is understated yet graceful, and it really complements your temperament, Ms. Finley.
Mr. Zamora truly has an eye for these things. He picked out the perfect style for you at a glance.”
Marina gazed at the necklace resting on her neck in the mirror, her lips curving into a gentle smile.
Daron didn’t even blink. He told the clerk to ring it up and handed over his card.
Marina offered softly, “Let me pay.”
Daron frowned, his voice low. “Come on, let the guys handle the bill.”
He hadn’t insisted on paying earlier because he wanted Marina to make a good impression in front of Hayley
But if he let her pay now, it’d be a total blow to his pride as a man.
2/4
10:33
Chapter 299
Marina still couldn’t let go of what Hayley had said earlier.
Hayley had been indirect, but Marina picked up on it right away.
55 vouchers
C
“Let me pay. If I like something, I want to pay for it myself,” Marina said.
With that, she firmly pressed her own card into the clerk’s hand.
A hint of surprise flickered in the clerk’s eyes.
Most women who came in here always wanted the men to fight over who gets to pay.
‘What’s with Ms. Finley? Why is she so dead set on paying her own bill?‘ the clerk wondered.
Daron frowned, giving Marina a steady look.
The clerk, without hesitation, swiped Daron’s card and turned to Marina, apologetic.
“Sorry, Ms. Finley, we’ve already charged Mr. Zamora’s card…”
She offered Marina’s card back to her with both hands.
Marina lowered her voice, saying quietly.
“Can you refund it and run my card instead?” Marina insisted.
Seeing how determined she was, Daron’s expression turned serious, his gaze growing even colder.
The clerk looked caught in the middle, glancing at Daron for direction.
“Uh…” she stammered.
Daron shot her a cold look and said in a low voice, “Enough. Stop wasting time.”
With that, he grabbed Marina’s card from the clerk and put it away with his own.
The clerk gave a professional smile. “Ms. Finley, would you like to wear it now or have it wrapped up?”
Marina replied, “Wrap it up.”
Daron said, “Wear it.”
They spoke at the same time, clearly not on the same page.
Daron’s face was cool and unreadable. He gave off a vibe that said, ‘Don’t even think about crossing me.’
The clerk immediately spoke up.
She said, “This necklace goes perfectly with your outfit, Ms. Finley. Why not wear it out?”
As she finished, she had already brought over the matching gift box and handed it to Marina with both hands.
Marina took it without another word, biting her lip to push down her discomfort, and quietly followed Daron out of the jewelry store.
3/4
