Chapter 109
‘Stuff just to hurt people? Marina thought.
She wasn’t even a little mad.
“I’m serious.” Marina said.
Just as she finished speaking, her phone rang. It was Robert.
“Ms. Finley, the car’s fine. Shawna didn’t do anything sneaky,” Robert said.
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Marina gave a quick response, put her phone away, then turned to open the car door. Relieved, she got in and started the engine.
The car pulled out of the parking spot and pulled up right in front of Shawna.
Shawna was being restrained by security. When Marina pulled up, she was so shocked she forgot to curse.
Marina rolled down the window and shot her a teasing smirk.
“Go ahead and chase after him at Ross Group, but if you try to mess with me, that’s not happening,” Marina said.
Then, with Lavern still staring in shock, she hit the gas and drove off.
Robert had driven over and parked right next to Marina’s car. Once she left, he stopped blocking Lavern and got into his
own car.
As he was leaving, he pulled up in front of Shawna, rolled down his window, and said, “Did you catch what Ms. Finley just said?”
Shawna bit down hard on her lip, her face so pale and drained she looked like she might collapse at any moment.
Robert didn’t give her any more trouble. Under Lavern’s death care, he left the scene.
“Mr. Ross, we’ll take her away now,” one of the security guards said.
Seeing Lavern’s dark expression, the guards restrained Shawna and started to escort her away.
Shawna struggled wildly.
“Lavern! You can’t treat me like this! You promised you’d protect me, you promised…” she cried out.
Lavern frowned, his gaze frosty as if rimed with ice.
“Let her go,” he said.
The security guards immediately released Shawna and, with a respectful tone, said,
“Alright, Mr. Ross. If you need anything, just call us.”
Neither Marina nor Lavern were people they could afford to offend, so the guards made a hasty exit from the scene.
They had barely taken a few steps when a sharp slap rang out behind them.
Both paused mid–step, shot each other a look, but no one daredo look back.
They just quickened their pace.
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Chapter 109
The moment the security guards let go, Shawna lunged toward tavern, arms outstretched for a desperate hug.
But before she could even touch his waist, Lavern slapped her, rd, right across the face.
Shawna froze, clutching her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“Lavern…” her voice trembled.
“You’re out of line,” Lavern said coldly.
Shawna bit down hard on her lip, a flash of defiance in her eyes.
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She used to think she was special to Lavern, especially with the baby on her side, so she did whatever she pleased.
But now…
The baby was gone, and she knew that when it came to Marina, avern would never choose her.
So she didn’t dare act out in front of Lavern anymore.
“Didn’t I tell you not to come to Ross Group or show up in front of her these days? Were you just ignoring everything I said:” Lavern said coldly.
He raised his hand again, and a flash of nervousness crossed Shawna’s eyes. She instinctively shut her eyes tight, bracing for another slap–but instead, he just moved her hand aside.
His fingertips brushed softly over her reddened cheek.
Shawna’s face flushed instantly.
“Lavern, I messed up. I promise I won’t do this again. Please, don’t be mad at me,” Shawna said, her voice trembling.
Lavern narrowed his eyes, his expression cold and unreadable as he stared at her.
“What did you do wrong?” he said, keeping his voice icy.
Shawna bit her lip, looking down. “I shouldn’t have come to you and I shouldn’t have bothered Marina.”
“It’s just… after losing the baby, I felt so suffocated inside. I just wanted to lash out and let it out,” she whispered, her eyes full of helplessness.
Shawna carefully reached out and wrapped her arms around Lavern’s waist.
He didn’t push her away, and Shawna felt a wave of relief, leaning her head into his embrace.
“Lavern, I know I messed up. Please, forgive me,” she whispered her voice trembling.
Lavern’s brows furrowed as he spoke in a low, heavy voice.
“Shawna, I’ve told you this before. Our baby came at the worst possible time–we had no choice but to lose him,” he said, his
tone cold and matter–of–fact.
“Right now, things are critical at Ross Group. If you keep acting out like this, I’m really done with you,” he added, his voice icy.
Shawna’s eyes were red from crying as she curled up in Lavern’s arms, silently sobbing.
“This is all Marina’s fault!‘ Shawna thought bitterly, her heart full of resentment.
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Chapter 109
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‘If she hadn’t blown things up and dragged Ross Group into this mess, Lavern wouldn’t have to treat me like this, she thought, feeling even more miserable.
After leaving Ross Group, Marina called Daron.
He probably wasn’t off work yet, so if she just drove straight over to the Sicester branch of Zamora Group, she’d probably still make it in time.
The call connected right away.
Daron’s deep voice came through the line.
“What’s up?” he asked.
Marina kept her gaze steady ahead as she explained the reason for her call.
“Mr. Zamora, are you done for the day? I’m heading to the branch office now, and we can discuss the Ross Group situation,” she said.
Daron’s voice was low and steady. “I’m already off work. Just come to my place and we’ll talk there.”
Marina arched an eyebrow.
“Wasn’t he supposed to be super busy? How come he’s off work so early?‘ she thought.
When Marina didn’t answer right away, Dáron said in that calm, deep voice, “I’ll be waiting for you.”
Then he hung up before she could say anything else.
Marina could only turn her car around and head toward where Daron lived. ‘Guess I really don’t have a choice, she thought, feeling a little helpless as she drove off.
When she pulled up to the entrance of Daron’s gated communi, a young, well–trained security guy came running over.
Marina was just about to go through the usual check–in when the guard glanced at her license plate, then radioed his coworker to lift the gate.
Seeing the barrier go up, Marina stopped for a second, surprised
‘Don’t they usually make you register before letting you in at places like this? How come they just opened the gate for me?” Marina wondered.
The security guy caught her confused look and gave her a polite respectful smile, like he’d been expecting her.
“Mr. Zamora gave us a heads–up,” the guard said with a polite smile.
Marina blinked in surprise, muttered an “Oh,” then started her car. As she rolled past the guard, she tossed him a quick “Thanks” and drove straight into Daron’s underground garage.
She had just parked her car and stepped into the elevator when er phone buzzed.
She picked it up and saw a message from Daron.
Daron: [Password: 745730.]
Marina paused for a second, a little surprised. ‘He just handed n his front door code, no big deal?‘ she thought.
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Chapter 109
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But then she remembered how he’d casually given her his bank IN last time, so she didn’t overthink it and just texted back: [Got it.]
The elevator doors opened.
Marina entered the code and let herself in.
“Mr. Zamora, I’m here,” she announced,
As soon as she stepped inside, the mouthwatering aroma of food hit her.
Marina couldn’t help but look a little puzzled.
Wait, what day is it? Daron’s actually in the kitchen?‘ she though
Getting no response, Marina instinctively looked around the entryway for a pair of guest slippers. She didn’t find any, but she did spot a brand–new pair of women’s slippers.
She gazed at them for a few seconds, but in the end, didn’t reach for them.
Those must be for whoever Daron’s seeing, Marina thought.
I’m just an employee–there’s no way I should be using the woman’s things,‘ she told herself.
There were no guest slippers, and nothing there that would fit her.
So Marina had no choice but to go
“Mr. Zamora…” she called out.
barefoot.
She peeked into the kitchen and saw a guy in a crisp white chef’s uniform, busy whipping something up.
It wasn’t Daron cooking.
Figures. A guy like him, living the high life, there’s no way he’d ever set foot in the kitchen, Marina thought.
Thank goodness. If he was rich, could cook, and looked that good–basically perfect at everything–seriously, who on earth could ever be good enough for him?‘ Marina thought.
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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.
