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Chapter 329
Chapter 329
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Marina took over Chloe’s job and went to the winery entrance to welcome the family representatives arriving for the party.
She didn’t step inside the party hall even once.
Standing at the winery entrance, she listened to the elegant piano music drifting out from inside, her gaze lowered.
The next moment, a pair of red designer high heels appeared in front of her.
Marina looked up to find Joyce standing before her in a designer gown, a hint of a cold smile on her lips.
‘Ms. Finley, why are you out here instead of being with Daron?” Joyce asked.
Marina kept her composure, acting as if she didn’t even notice the sarcasm in Joyce’s voice. She made a polite gesture, inviting her inside.
‘Ms. Milner, please come in.”
Joyce gave a sly smile as she took in Marina’s polite attitude.
‘I warned you ages ago not to get cocky. With your family’s situation, the Zamoras would never let you and Daron end up together,” Joyce said.
‘Even if Daron isn’t into me, I’m still the one the Zamoras picked for the marriage,” she added.
As Joyce walked past Marina, she just had to get in one last word.
‘Please escort me inside.”
Marina stayed unfazed, refusing to rise to Joyce’s bait.
Her marriage to Daron was already a done deal, and the Finley family had gotten exactly what they’d been after.
Whatever anyone said, the Finleys were the real winners in this whole arrangement.
Whatever schemes the Zamoras and Milners cooked up for their own alliance, that was their problem, not hers.
Marina walked ahead, leading the way for Joyce, her gaze steady and unruffled.
Joyce followed behind, deliberately keeping her distance from Marina.
The walk from the winery entrance to the party hall only took a few minutes, and Joyce didn’t stop talking the entire way.
“Earlier, I used the wrong approach. From the start, my competitor was never you,” Joyce said.
“I shouldn’t have bothered paying you so much attention. You never even had the chance to be my rival,” she added.
Marina didn’t say a word in response to Joyce.
Inside the party hall, the piano music had already come to an end.
Daron was surrounded by people, engaged in conversation, and it was unclear what they were talking about.
Meanwhile, Zara stuck close to Hayley, playing the perfect little angel as they worked the room with the other high–society
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ladies.
Even though Verena hadn’t shown up at the office today, she still made it to the winery.
As soon as Joyce walked in, Verena took the initiative and came over with a smile to greet her.
“Ms. Milner, you’ve finally arrived,” Verena said.
Joyce knew exactly what kind of role Verena played in Leo’s life.
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She secretly looked down on Verena, but since Leo valued her, Joyce forced herself to be polite, keeping up a facade of civility.
“Verena, it’s been a while,” Joyce said.
Verena flashed a fawning smile.
“It really has been a while. Your dad and Leo are over there. You should head over, they were just talking about you,” Verena said.
Joyce gave a faint smile. Ever since her father had set her straight, she finally understood that in the Zamora family, Leo didn’t get to call the shots when it came to Daron’s marriage.
What really mattered was making sure Harris was on her side.
“Where’s Harris?” Joyce asked.
Noticing that Joyce immediately asked about Harris, Verena gave her a friendly smile and answered, “He’s still in the inner lounge.”
“Leo and your dad will be heading in soon to discuss your wedding,” she added.
Hearing this, Joyce finally let a real smile slip onto her face and walked off toward her father.
On her way over, Joyce cast a look in Daron’s direction.
Daron happened to glance her way at the same time, and Joyce’s smile widened. She gave him a small wave in greeting.
Daron didn’t spare her more than a glance before turning back to his conversation.
Joyce didn’t let it get to her. She just assumed Daron was sulking because he couldn’t fight the family’s decision to marry him off to her.
With a bright smile, Joyce made her way over to Leo, stopping beside her father and greeting him warmly.
‘Leo, it’s been a while, Joyce said.
Leo smiled and nodded. “It has been a while, Joyce. You’ve gotten even prettier, just like your mother back in her younger days.”
Hearing this, her father, Wilbur, glanced at Joyce and smiled.
“She really does take after her mother. It’s just a pity she didn’t grow up with us. If we’d been the ones guiding her all along, she probably wouldn’t have embarrassed herself at the golf course last time.”
Leo replied in a calm tone, ‘Life never goes exactly the way we want. As for Joyce, she’s forthright by nature. Honestly, she’d
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never blow up like that unless someone was deliberately trying to get under her skin.”
Wilbur shook his head, a little resigned. “It’s good that you can understand.”
“That girl’s a little too honest for her own good, and in circles like ours, that usually means trouble.”
“The whole point of marrying her into the Zamora family was to give her a safe haven where she’d always have someone looking out for her.”
Leo nodded. “That makes sense.”
“My father is in the inner lounge right now. Let me take you in to say hello,” he said.
Wilbur nodded in response.
Leo led the way, guiding Wilbur and his wife, Debby, toward the inner lounge.
Verena took the opportunity to walk over to Debby, who was chatting with Hayley, and led her toward the inner lounge as well.
After Debby left with Verena, a lady from Wright family, Genny Wright, who was sitting next to Hayley, leaned in.
“Hayley, the Milners just took their daughter into the inner lounge. Are they going to talk to Harris about Joyce and Daron’s engagement?”
“Aren’t you going in?”
Hayley gave a faint smile and replied softly, “Daron’s wedding is already settled. They’re probably discussing something else.”
Genny blinked in surprise and leaned in, asking quickly. “Daron’s wedding is already set? How come I never heard anything about it? Which girl is he marrying to?”
Hayley picked up her juice and took a small sip, her eyes gentle as she glanced at Zara, her voice soft.
“Harris wants to keep it under wraps for now. When it’s time to announce it, I’ll give you a heads–up,” Hayley said.
Genny glanced at Zara too, following Hayley’s eyes.
Thinking back to how Zara had kicked off the party with her piano performance, Genny couldn’t help but wonder if her hunch was right.
She smiled, raised her juice glass, and gently clinked it against Hayley’s.
“Looks like things worked out just the way you wanted. You’re in for some good days ahead.”
If Daron really married Zara, Hayley wouldn’t have to worry about any of that classic in–law drama.
Besides, Hayley wasn’t even Daron’s real mother. If it were any other daughter–in–law, she probably wouldn’t listen to Hayley or follow her lead.
But Zara was different. Hayley had sponsored her and taken her in as her goddaughter. No matter what, Zara would always follow Hayley’s arrangements.
Hayley smiled too and replied softly, “What wish? It was all Daron’s choice. I’m just his aunt. I can’t make decisions for him. I just go along with whatever the young people want.”
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Hayley’s words were cleverly chosen. They let Genny confirm her suspicions without actually saying anything outright.
With Zara sitting quietly in her wheelchair beside Hayley, looking so sweet and gentle, with a touch of bashfulness in her eyes, it was hard not to jump to conclusions.
Genny reached out and took Zara’s hand, her smile warm and gentle.
“Zara, you really are a lucky girl. Make sure to cherish your mom. Without her, you wouldn’t have all you do today,” Genny said.
Zara nodded obediently. “Don’t worry, Genny. I’ll always take good care of her.”
Genny kept up her polite smile.
Hayley spoke up at just the right moment, “I’ve got a few things to handle, so I’ll take Zara with me. Please make yourself comfortable. Hope you don’t mind if I can’t look after you properly.”
Genny had been itching to gossip with the other ladies, but with Hayley there, she hadn’t had the chance. Now that Hayley was leaving, she was more than happy to see her go.
She couldn’t wait to turn around and start chatting with the other ladies about Daron’s engagement.
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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.
