Chapter 117
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Marina just couldn’t figure it out. She was so anxious that she didn’t sleep a wink all night.
She could only blame herself for laying all her cards out in front of Daron at the welcome party.
Already in a bad mood, she grabbed a cab to Ross Group early the next morning. As soon as she stepped into the elevator and turned around, she saw Lavern making a beeline for her.
Marina frowned and frantically jabbed at the close button.
The elevator doors were about to close, but at the very last second, Lavern shot his hand out, stopping them from shutting all the way.
The doors slid open again.
Lavern straightened his suit and flashed her a gentle smile.
“Good morning, Marina,” he greeted.
“Not good,” Marina shot back, her mood souring even more at the sight of him.
Lavern’s smile froze for a moment, but he didn’t get upset. He kept looking at her with that gentle, doting gaze.
“Come on, don’t be mad,” he coaxed. “After you left yesterday, I had security kick her out. I’ll make sure she never bothers you again.”
As he spoke, he reached out and gave Marina’s pinky a little squeeze.
Back when they were together, this was their thing after a fight–whoever grabbed the other’s pinky first was the one admitting defeat.
The second his skin brushed hers, Marina snatched her hand back without thinking.
Lavern’s hand froze in mid–air.
Marina shook her hand off in disgust, her eyes openly full of revulsion, as she’d just grabbed a pile of crap.
Seeing her dramatic reaction, Lavern’s face went stiff, and not quite knowing what to do, he pulled his hand back, looking a little lost.
His chest heaved, betraying the anger simmering inside him.
Marina didn’t even look at him. She just pulled a tissue from her bag and started wiping the finger he’d touched, almost like she couldn’t wait to get rid of any trace of him.
She rubbed so hard that her finger turned raw and red.
Lavern stood off to the side, swallowing his anger, but seeing the look of utter disgust on her face sent a swarm of tiny stings through his chest.
Seeing that Marina wouldn’t even spare him a glance, Lavern couldn’t take it anymore and just grabbed the tissue from her
hand.
“Stop it!” he snapped. “Are you trying to break your own finger? You know it hurts me to see you like this. Are you doing this on purpose to make me feel bad?”
Marina rolled her eyes, feeling like even the air was contaminated by his presence–she could barely breathe without
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wanting to gag.
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Lavern’s brows knitted together as he quickly pulled out a document from his briefcase, reaching out to put it right into Marina’s hand.
“I know exactly what’s been eating at you, and I’ve been doing my best not to push past your limits,” he said. “I got the DNA results–Shawna’s baby isn’t mine. Marina, I’ve told you before: I ever have a kid, it’ll only be with you.”
Marina was so stunned she couldn’t even come up with a comeback.
She was so done with him, she didn’t even reach out for the document.
Lavern kept a serious look as he pressed the document into Marina’s hand.
“I’m not lying to you. See for yourself,” he said.
“I admit, when I saw Shawna, she reminded me so much of how you used to be, and I felt the need to protect her, which was wrong. I made mistakes. But honestly, from start to finish, you’re the only one I’ve ever loved.”
“I promise this won’t ever happen again. Please, let’s work together and help Ross Group get through this tough time.
“Forgive me, Marina. Please?”
As soon as he finished, the elevator doors slid open on his floor.
Marina didn’t give him a single reaction. Lavern just walked out, his face set in a grim expression.
Once he was gone, Marina tossed the document Lavern had thrust into her arms aside without a second thought.
Lavern turned back and, through the mess of scattered papers, caught Marina’s eyes–cold and utterly indifferent, not a trace of warmth in them.
Staff passed by in the office, glancing at the mess of papers Marima had just tossed all over the floor, but no one dared to make a sound.
Lavern’s brows were furrowed so tightly, frustration practically radiated off him.
Marina pressed the elevator close button, her face completely blank.
This time, Lavern didn’t try to stop her.
He was way too proud to let himself get humiliated in front of the staff.
Ever since Ross Group started to turn things around, he’d been putting on that CEO act, so there was no way he’d ever show too much weakness to Marina in front of everyone–even if he was the one who messed up.
Once she got to her office floor, Marina rubbed her brow, trying to push down the wave of disgust and irritation swirling
inside her.
Lavern still didn’t get it. What really bothered her wasn’t whethe Shawna’s baby was his.
It was never about forbidding other women from having his chi.
‘Did he seriously think that just throwing a DNA test at me would make me suddenly believe he wasn’t so out of line after all? What a joke!‘ she thought.
“Ms. Finley,” Robert hurried over as soon as he spotted her.
Marina nodded, glancing up at the security camera overhead as the walked toward her office. She said quietly,
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“Let’s talk inside.”
Whatever they were about to investigate, not even a hint could ach Lavern.
Lavern had access to every security camera in the company.
Robert got the message and followed her into the office.
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As soon as they walked in, Robert started scanning the room, making sure no one had planted any bugs or hidden cameras.
“I already checked yesterday. There’s nothing,” Marina said.
She was the only one who knew the passcode for this floor’s office. She’d once planned to give it to Lavern as a wedding gift, but in the end, he was never worthy of an office like this.
Hearing that, Robert looked relieved. He walked over to Marina desk, leaned in, and spoke quietly.
“I heard Mr. Ross invited some potential investors to tour Ross Croup today. They’ll be attending the morning meeting to get a closer look at how things are running,” he whispered.
Lavern was starting to get desperate.
His scheme had only just begun, and he’d barely started reaping the benefits. No way was he about to let Ross Group crash and burn now.
He’d only just started bleeding the company dry–he was nowhere near satisfied.
Marina let out a cold laugh. “Do you have any info on the buyer?
Robert shook his head. “The lawyer’s lips are sealed–he won’t say a thing about who it is. All I heard is, it’s a boss from Vrufield, someone who specializes in investments.”
Marina frowned, a hint of confusion in her eyes as she tried to think of any big investment companies from Vrufield.
But that clue was way too broad–there were just too many possibilities. Tons of families in Vrufield specialized in investments, and even the big four had their own investment teams.
That was just how Bruno handled things–never stepping on Marina’s toes, never crossing Lavern, always keeping it neutral.
With just half an hour to go before the morning meeting, Marina stopped bothering to guess who this mysterious visitor might be.”
Right on time, Lavern’s assistant came upstairs and knocked on Marina’s office door.
“Ms. Finley, Mr. Ross asked me to let you know it’s time for the meeting downstairs,” the assistant said.
Marina set down the magazine she was holding.
“Go on ahead, I’ll be there soon,” she replied.
Lavern’s assistant stood off to the side, respectful but clearly not planning to leave her office until she did.
Marina frowned, her voice low and steely. “Do you not understand what I’m saying?”
The assistant kept his head down, avoiding her gaze, and replied nervously, “Mr. Ross insisted I personally escort you to the meeting.”
Marina arched an eyebrow. Seeing how cautious he looked, she lost the urge to give him a hard time and simply got up, heading out of the office.
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The assistant quickly caught up and, without missing a beat, pressed the button to call the elevator down for Marina.
Downstairs, at the entrance to the conference room.
As soon as Marina stepped out of the elevator, she saw Lavern greeting someone with exaggerated respect, ushering them into the meeting room.
She recognized that person’s back instantly–it was someone she knew all too well.
Marina stopped dead in her tracks, her face turning cold as ice.
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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.
