Chapter 334
55 vouchers
Harris’s health hadn’t been the same these past couple of years, so after hanging around the party for a bit, he made his way back to the Zamora family estate.
As Daron and Finn came down the stairs and walked over, Hayley spoke up softly.
“Daron, the driver had to take some time off for a family emergency. Later, you’ll drive me and Zara back to the Zamora family estate.”
Hayley wasn’t asking for Daron’s opinion; she was simply giving orders.
As usual, Daron would never refuse her requests.
Plus, Arine was right there.
Daron always treated her with respect whenever there were other people around, so he’d never make her lose face in front of others.
But this time, Daron caught her off guard with his response.
“We’ve got rooms here at the winery,” Daron said. “Zara’s foot is hurt. Why don’t you both just stay here tonight.”
The Zamora family winery was massive. Up front was the party hall, and in the back were the living quarters.
Every now and then, someone from the Zamora family would stay over.
Even when nobody was living there, there were always staff around, looking after the place.
Hayley’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, but seeing Daron had made up his mind, she just smiled and went along with it.
“Alright, but Zara’s meds are still back at the estate,” Hayley said.
Zara grinned and chimed in, “Missing one dose isn’t a big deal. We’ll just wait for the driver to come back tomorrow and go get my meds then.”
“I knew it, you just don’t want to take your medicine,” Hayley said, her tone holding a hint of annoyance, but she looked at Zara with obvious fondness.
Kara clung tightly to Marina’s arm, watching Hayley and Zara acting all chummy and in sync, and she couldn’t help but feel irritated.
Over the years, Kara had attended countless gatherings with Arine, rubbing shoulders with all sorts of folks.
She had seen plenty of people like Hayley and Zara.
People like them always had those phony smiles plastered on their faces.
They might look sincere on the surface, but deep down, it was all just an act.
Guess that’s why the Gross family had always kept Hayley at a proper distance all these years.
Sure, Kara grew up pampered by her family, but she wasn’t some totally clueless daughter who just stomped her feet and made a fuss whenever things didn’t go her way.
Ever since Kara showed up with Marina, Hayley hadn’t spared Marina a single glance.
1/4
12:01 pm
Chapter 334
El 55 vouchers
Maybe outsiders didn’t know Daron and Marina were already married, but of course the Zamora family did.
Hayley knew, too.
So, she just looked down on Marina.
In her eyes, Marina was just some girl with no powerful family, no big–shot relatives to have her back.
Now, having Daron drive them back was probably just Hayley’s way of rubbing it in Marina’s face, showing off how much sway she had over him.
“Don’t tell me the Zamora family only has one driver?” Kara scoffed.
“If one driver’s off, just get someone else to do it. The winery staff can drive too, right? Why not have them take you back instead? Why make Daron go out of his way for this?” she grumbled.
Arine didn’t expect Kara to speak up so suddenly.
Ever since Marina and Daron called off their engagement, Kara had pretty much always kept her distance from Daron, too nervous to even be around him.
She’d never even think about commenting on anything related to the Zamora family.
But now, right in front of Daron, she was actually pointing out that Hayley was making him go out of his way for nothing.
‘Kara, you…” Arine started, a bit taken aback.
Kara pressed her lips together, a faint smile on her face as she looked at her mother.
‘Mom, did I say something wrong?” she asked.
Arine gently shook her head and replied in a low voice, “Not really. But since Hayley asked Daron to drive them back, she must have her own reasons. Maybe she just hasn’t spoken to him in a long time and wants to have a chat.”
Kara just said, “Oh,” then added, “Why does it have to be today when he’s so worn out? Couldn’t they talk any other time?”
You guys go ahead and chat. I’m taking Marina to get some food. She’s been waiting outside forever, probably hasn’t eaten a thing,” Kara said.
With that, she took Marina by the arm and walked off.
Seeing Hayley get called out like that by Kara, Arine looked a little embarrassed and hurried to apologize.
‘Sorry, Hayley. Kara can be a bit rude sometimes. I’m really sorry about that,” she said.
Seeing Arine apologize, Hayley could only force a smile and say, “It’s alright.”
“Kara’s so genuine. I really do like her. She’s so thoughtful for someone her age. And look at me, at my age, I still clueless about these things.”
“Daron’s been running around all day for the anniversary party, and I just asked him to drive us back without even thinking
about how worn out he must be.”
As Hayley spoke, she looked at Daron with an apologetic expression, clearly feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Daron, you’ve had a long day. Zara and I won’t trouble you to drive us back. We’ll just stay here at the winery tonight,” she
2/4
2:01 pm DDDD
Chapter 334
said.
Arine stood quietly off to the side, exchanging a knowing look with Finn, who was right next to her.
65 vouchers
No wonder Hayley’s been able to stick it out with the Zamora family for so long. She really knows how to play the game, Arine thought to herself.
If it were anyone else, getting called out by a junior like that, they’d probably be all flustered and trying to defend hemselves. But Hayley just kept her cool and even started thinking about what she’d done wrong.
Daron nodded, keeping his voice even.
Alright. I’ll have Marina talk to the manager and get your rooms sorted out,” he said.
Hayley quickly said, “No need to bother Marina. We’ll just talk to the manager ourselves.”
Zara chimed in with a smile.
Yeah. Daron, we can handle it. Marina’s been running around all day with the guests. She must be wiped out. Let her take a break. It’s just a small thing, we can handle it ourselves,” she said.
Daron just nodded and didn’t say anything else.
de glanced over and saw Kara and Marina, both with pastries in hand, chatting and laughing together.
Whatever Kara was saying, it had Marina grinning from ear to ear.
Daron looked down, feeling a wave of irritation. Earlier, when he’d come downstairs, Marina hadn’t even looked his way, not
ince.
Zara saw that Daron’s attention was completely on Marina, not paying her any mind. She bit her lip, then turned to Hayley ind said softly, “Mom, my foot’s hurting a bit. I think I’ll head back to my room for a while.”
Hayley knew exactly why Zara was feeling down. She nodded, then turned to Arine with a friendly smile.
Arine, I’ll leave. Let’s meet up another day, just the two of us,” she said.
Arine nodded warmly. “Sounds good, let’s do that.”
Hayley wheeled Zara toward the backyard.
Once they were alone in the backyard, Zara sounded a little down as she murmured, “Mom, I kind of want to give up
Hayley reached out, gripped her shoulder a little firmer, trying to pass on some strength.
‘Don’t get all defeatist on me. If you want a good life, you’ve got to go after it yourself. Giving up halfway is not an option
she said.
If she had given up halfway back then, the Mrs. Zamora at today’s party would have been someone else.
3/4
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.
