Chapter 124
When it was time to clock out, Marina left right on time and had everyone in the office leave with her.
For now, their only job was to get familiar with the company and get a handle on Ross Group’s projects.
That was a piece of cake for them.
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They were just kicking back for now, saving up their energy. Once Mr. Ross was gone, that’s when things would really start heating up.
Marina made her way straight to the underground parking lot, but when she got to her usual spot and didn’t see her car, it hit her that she’d taken a cab today.
Her car was still parked in the underground garage at Daron’s place.
She returned to the first floor, walked out of the lobby, and waited for a cab outside Ross Group. While she was waiting, she sent a quick message to Yesenia. Just then, Lavern’s car pulled up and stopped right in front of her.
“Get in,” he said.
He rolled down the window, his expression stormy as he looked at her, and there was a bite in his voice.
Marina didn’t even spare him a glance. She just stepped aside.
Seeing her step aside, Lavern pulled up right in front of her again. With a cold look on his face, he got out, walked around the front of the car, and strode over to her.
“I’ll take you home,” he said.
He firmly took hold of her arm, leaving her no room to protest, opened the passenger door, and practically tried to push her into the car.
Marina was fuming, kicking and flailing at him.
“Let go of me! I’m not getting in your car!” she shouted.
Her kicks scuffed up his sharp black dress pants with several messy shoe prints.
Lavern just wouldn’t let go, yanking her along with a stubborn grip.
Marina was frustrated and furious. As he bent down to shove he into the car, she grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked with all her strength, like she was ready to rip it out by the roots.
Lavern winced from the pain, but his grip on her arm only got tighter, holding on with everything he had.
He’d managed to push most of her onto the passenger seat, but Marina stubbornly kept her feet planted on the ground, sliding off the seat and refusing to go in.
Out of options, Lavern let go of her arm and went for her legs, tying to haul her into the car once and for all.
But Marina wasn’t about to give in. With all the fury she could ster, she abbed her elbow right into his injured forehead.
Their commotion was so loud that it drew the attention of some concerned bystanders.
One of them firmly grabbed Lavern by the arm and yanked him back.
“What do you think you’re doing?” the person demanded.
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Chapter 124
The guy was strong, yanking Lavern back and nearly knocking him off balance.
Marina took the chance to duck behind the bystander for cover.
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Lavern’s expression soured, and he was just about to blow up when he realized a crowd had gathered, with some people even recording everything on their phones.
He bit back his anger, gritted his teeth, and snapped, barely hiding his annoyance.
“It’s just a lovers‘ quarrel. Do you really have to butt in?” Lavern snapped.
Marina cut in quickly, “We’re not married! He said he wanted to give me a ride, I said no, and now he’s trying to force me
into his car.”
The crowd started whispering, some even thinking he was some creep trying to snatch a decent woman, or maybe even á kidnapper.
The insults were getting out of hand. Lavern gritted his teeth and finally had to announce his identity.
“I’m Lavern, CEO of Ross Group. It’s just a lovers‘ quarrel, not as bad as you guys think,” he said.
As he spoke, he felt something wet and painful on his forehead. When he touched it and saw blood on his fingers, he wry, wounded smile at Marina.
“Marina, you really don’t hold back,” he said.
This was a business park, and most of the people gathered around were folks who worked nearby. Once they realized Lavern’s identity, nobody wanted trouble. They pulled their friends away and left in a hurry.
gave a
Even the guy who’d helped Marina pull Lavern away earlier looked wary when he heard who Lavern was. He just said, “Just talk it out, don’t get physical,” and walked off.
Just as Marina was about to walk away, a surprised voice called out from nearby.
“Marina? Lavern?”
Marina turned toward the voice and saw Yara hurrying over to them.
Lavern glanced over as well.
Marina could totally see the nervous look in his eyes, and when Mara came over, he got all awkward and tried not to make eye contact.
Yara came up and linked arms with Marina, her voice soft.
“Did you and Lavern have a fight?” she asked.
“Arguing? Hardly. He was literally trying to kidnap me,” Marinaid coolly, not pulling her arm away from Yara as she stared down Lavern, her gaze sharp and unflinching.
Yara finally turned her attention to Lavern, frowning. “Lavern, you…”
She was about to scold him, but when she noticed the bandage on his forelfead stained with blood, surprise flashed in her eyes. She immediately let go of Marina’s arm and walked over to Lavern.
“What happened to you? Are you hurt?” she asked.
Lavern dodged her touch, his brows furrowed, giving her a sharp warning look.
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Chapter 124
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Yara froze, seeing how guarded he was. She bit her lip, a flicker hurt in her eyes, but quickly pulled herself together and
turned to Marina.
“Marina, Lavern probably just messed up because he was afraid losing you,” Yara said softly.
“You two have been through so much together–there’s nothing ou can’t work through. How about I treat you both to dinner tonight? Let’s sit down and talk things out. Marina, do it for me, please?”
Marina dodged Yara’s attempt to link arms again, flashing a fake smile just like hers.
“Yara, it’s not that I’m refusing you, but I really do have plans tonight. There’s really nothing left for us to talk about. Why don’t you try talking some sense into him and get him to stop pestering me?”
“If he tries to pull this stunt again, trust me, a bloody forehead will be the least of his worries,” Marina said coldly.
Yara looked genuinely shocked.
She’d thought Marina and Lavern were just having a spat out on the street, but she never imagined Lavern would actually try to manhandle Marina, forcing her to fight back.
A sour, aching feeling bubbled up inside her. Not wanting Maring to notice, she quickly turned away, hiding her teary eyes.
Marina caught Yara’s little gestures and snorted coldly.
‘Feeling upset already?‘ Marina thought with a sneer. ‘She hasn’t seen anything yet–the real pain is still to come,.
When Yesenia pulled up in front of Marina, she saw Lavern looking hurt and vulnerable as he stared at Marina, while the woman next to Marina was staring at Lavern with big, sad puppy eyes.
ble going
No matter how Yesenia looked at it, the whole vibe was seriously strange. ‘What the heck is going on here?‘ she wondered.
Marina spotted Yesenia’s car, gave Yara a look, smiling as she spoke to her.
“Yara, I’m heading out. Let me treat you to dinner next time,” she said.
Yara nodded, replying in a gentle, almost childlike voice, “Okay.”
Marina gave a small smile, bent down, and got into the car.
Yesenia arched her brow, started the car, and couldn’t help but tease, “Honestly, if you weren’t so chill with her, I’d swear Mr. Ross was sneaking around with another woman and you just busted him.”
Marina snapped her fingers, grinning. “Guess what? You actually got it right.”
Yesenia froze for a second, totally caught off guard. She never thought her random guess would actually be spot on.
“Then why are you still so chill with her?” Yesenia asked.
Marina grinned, “It’s all just part of the act. Gotta show off my acting skills, right? We’re old classmates, gotta be polite for old
times‘ sake.”
Yesenia just gave Marina a thumbs–up.
“You’re a legend,” she said.
When it came to moving on and letting go, nobody could top Marina.
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Chapter 125
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.
