Chapter 474
As Winnie’s voice echoed through the room, most eyes immediately turned to Daron. His standing in the elite circles was still in a rather tricky spot. When the organizers were deciding on the seating arrangements, they really had to give it a lot of thought.
First off, no one could deny Daron’s capabilities. But the reins of Zamora Group were now in Jasper’s hands. There was no way they could put Daron above Jasper.
At every previous symposium, the placards had always listed the representatives‘ names. But at that time, they just put the company names instead.
Daron didn’t even spare Winnie a glance. Instead, he took the initiative to swap seats with the business representative next to Marina, since his seat was arranged in the second row. As for the Finley Group, since this was their first invitation in years, they were placed in the fourth row.
The business representative who swapped seats with Daron was more than happy to do so. First, he wanted to get on Daron’s radar. Second, moving up to the front row meant he’d have a much easier time rubbing shoulders with the big shots from Vrufield’s elite families.
Winnie’s face changed as she watched Daron swap seats and take the spot right beside Marina. The hand she’d lifted to greet him hung awkwardly in midair before she had to pull it back, feeling self–conscious and exposed.
Everyone’s gaze just slid past her, like they were all in on some private joke at her expense. Winnie bit her lip so hard her lips went white from the pressure. Resentment and humiliation flashed in her eyes, but she forced herself to stay quiet.
“Didn’t I tell you ages ago? Don’t get ahead of yourself. Daron’s never going to be interested in you.“Mila was sitting right next to Winnie. When she saw Winnie’s awkward move, she smirked and leaned in to whisper,
Winnie had always been pissed at Mila for kicking her when she was down and talking trash about her to their dad. So when Mila threw shade at her there, Winnie wasn’t about to back down.
“You really think Zack Clark would ever go for you?” Winnie snapped. “If the Finley family hadn’t fallen from grace, you’d still be nothing but the side chick he’d never let see the light of day!”
Other people might not be aware of how Mila and Zack ended up together. But Winnie, being part of the Gill family, knew exactly how it all went down.
Elnora and Zack had been together for five years. During those five years, Mila acted like Elnora’s best friend, all the while scheming behind her back to steal Zack away. Even before Elnora and Zack broke up, Mila had already been with Zack for
over a year.
She’d been the other woman, hidden in the shadows, for more than a year. If Evan hadn’t stepped in, Mila would’ve been nothing but the other woman, forever hidden in the shadows.
Winnie’s words hit Mila right where it hurt. The well–maintained composure on Mila’s face faltered, cracks showing thanks to Winnie’s jab.
Good thing Winnie had already landed herself in enough hot water lately and wasn’t about to make things worse. She kept her voice down, so nobody else heard a word.
Mila side–eyed her fiercely, shooting Winnie a look that could kill. Meanwhile, Winnie only let out a cold huff and turned her gaze away from Mila. She knew all too well what kind of trouble it would bring to the Gill family if Mila’s time sneaking around as the side chick ever got exposed, so she just left it at that, not wanting to stir up more drama.
Once Daron settled in, the rest of the Zamora Group’s team showed up for the symposium. As Jasper walked into the venue,
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Chapter 474
most of the business representatives stood up from their seats, eager to strike up s conversation with him
Right behind Jasper was Matthew. He wore a wide grin, looking like he was on top of the world. Matthew speed Dwon Marina sitting together in the crowd. With a cheerful smile, he walked over and called out to Daron “Well, Durres, For honestly surprised you managed to find time for this symposium?
Daron looked up at Matthew, but unlike everyone else, he didn’t even bother to stand up. He just flashed Matthew smile and said, ‘Just bored, so I came to take a look.”
Matthew chuckled and replied, “Daron, you’ve just gotten things rolling lately, must be super busy these days. Honestly, I didn’t expect you’d have time to show up.”
Daron kept his cool. I’m just running it for kicks. Zamora Group throws so much dividend money at me every year, I have to find ways to waste some of it. Otherwise, I’d never be able to spend it all?
Daron’s words were so brazen that Matthew was completely at a loss for words. Even with Jasper calling the shots at Zamora Group, Daron’s shares still held all the real power.
Daron was making it crystal clear to everyone present that no matter how much Jasper tried to show off, he was lining Daron’s pockets.
Matthew didn’t get any satisfaction out of Daron, and his eyes briefly clouded over. But with all those eyes on him, he had to keep it together, so he just kept his voice neutral and said, “You stay here. Jasper and I will go on ahead.”
Daron nodded and gave them a casual ‘go ahead wave. He didn’t pay any attention to Matthew’s bragging As Jasper passed by Daron, he just nodded in greeting before heading straight for the front row and sitting down.
When Jasper arrived, most of the official representatives in the first row stood up to shake his hand, all smiles and politeness. Marina watched everything unfold, then shot Daron a sidelong look.
Daron caught the concern in Marina’s eyes and leaned in, his voice low, “Don’t worry about all that show. They’re just playing the part the family gave them. What really matters is what you make for yourself. All that glory? It’s just the Zamora family handing out favors.”
He then added, giving Marina a reassuring look, “What you make for yourself, that’s the real deal.”
Marina bit her lip softly, nodded, and said with genuine sincerity, “I really do trust you.”
Daron raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Honestly, I don’t even trust myself. And you do?” Daron asked, half–joking.
Marina nodded, her expression serious. “Of course, I do. I know you’ve got what it takes,” her voice full of confidence.
Daron looked ahead, a glimmer flashing across his dark eyes, but it quickly disappeared, buried deep within his gaze. The Zamora Group was built by generations of the Zamora family. It took the whole family working together to reach the heights it stands at the time. Trying to topple the Zamora Group overnight was impossible.
Daron never had any intention of destroying the Zamora Group. He just wanted to challenge the legacy itself. Not Matthew, not Jasper. He wanted to test himself against the very family he once called his own.
Jasper could feel Daron watching him, so he turned around. When he met Daron’s gaze, Daron just flashed him a faint smile. There wasn’t a hint of hostility in his eyes.
Jasper gave Daron a courteous smile back, then sat up straight in the Zamora Group’s seat. But after he looked away, Jasper started having second thoughts.
He’d actually played a part in stirring up all that drama online this time. He just wanted to throw a wrench in Daron’s plans,
Chapter 474
hoping it’d get Daron to stop coming after him. He’d barely graten his hands on the reins at Zamora Group, and Daron had already poached several projects right out from under him.
With everyone in the Zamora family watching his every move, the pressure was intense Jasper’s resentmers toward Daron kept simmering, but he didn’t have the guts to let their feud go public or make things ugly in from of everyone.
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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.
