Marina wasn’t surprised that Daron had managed to get his hands on the dress ahead of time. What really caught her off guard was that he’d gone to all this trouble just to bring her along to the Clark family’s engagement party.
Marina pursed her lips, glanced sideways at the man beside her, and tried to keep her feelings in check as she spoke softly.
“It’s really not necessary to go all out like this…” she said.
After all, it was just the Clark family’s engagement party. She just wanted to be there for Elnora, so her sister wouldn’t be left alone at the party.
But Daron didn’t let her finish. He cut her off, his tone cool.
“It’s just a dress. How is that dressing up? If you think this is fancy, you must’ve had it pretty tough in Sicester all those years,” he said.
Marina was speechless.
She seriously wanted to slap a hand over Daron’s mouth and shut him up.
She knew she’d lived a pretty shabby life during those years with Lavern.
“Thanks for spoiling me again,” she muttered through gritted teeth.
Daron shot her a sidelong glance, that infuriating smirk on his face.
“You’re welcome,” he replied.
Hans stood off to the side, listening to their banter, and couldn’t help but smile.
He just thought it was the kind of playful teasing you’d expect from a couple.
Who would’ve thought that the stone–faced, always–cold Daron actually had this side to him?
Once the staff had delivered the dress to the fitting room, they came over to escort Marina.
After the earlier incident, none of them dared to show any disrespect this time.
“Ms. Finley, this way, please,” one of them said.
Marina gave Daron a gentle nod, turning slightly toward him.
“I’ll head in now,” she said to him.
Daron nodded back, keeping his gaze fixed on her the whole time.
Only after Marina disappeared behind the curtain did Daron finally look away,
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Chapter 137
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55 vouchers
Just then, Hans chimed in at just the right moment.
“Mr. Zamora, why don’t you take a seat? When Marina comes out in the dress, you’ll have the perfect view from here,” he said.
As he spoke, Hans guided Daron over to the sofa positioned directly across from the fitting room curtain.
Daron nodded and sat down.
Seeing that Daron wasn’t holding a grudge about what happened earlier, Hans let out a quiet sigh of relief. He hung around, striking up a conversation, his tone a mix of cautious probing and obvious flattery.
“Elnora mentioned Marina just got back to Vrufield not long ago, and the city’s changed a ton lately. As an apology for before, I brought a private gaming lounge pass for you,” Hans said.
He offered the pass to Daron with both hands.
Daron didn’t take it, just gave the title on the pass a quick glance.
Survival Room Experience Pass.
Daron just glanced at it, clearly uninterested.
Hans noticed and quickly explained.
“Couples are really into this kind of game lately–it’s got that thrill and novelty factor,” he said.
“Quiet dates are out–now everyone wants something fun, a little hands–on action to heat things up and get closer,” he added.
With a polite smile, Hans held out the pass once more.
Daron still didn’t take it, just let his eyes linger on the pass for a moment.
Taking the hint, Hans placed the pass on the table with a courteous smile.
“The lounge isn’t officially open yet, so hardly anyone’s been there. If you’re interested, Mr. Zamora, feel free to check it out,” he said.
With that, Hans stood up and left with a smile.
Just then, the staff pulled back the curtain.
Marina stood poised in the fitting area. As soon as the curtain was drawn, she turned and caught sight of Daron sitting on the sofa just a short distance away,
He sat with his legs elegantly crossed, holding what looked like two invitations in his hand, casually looking
them over.
The noise from the curtain being opened made him glance up.
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Chapter 137
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Their eyes locked across the room, and the undeniable heat in Daron’s gaze was enough to make anyone’s heart skip a beat.
It was just a glance, but the chemistry between them was impossible to ignore.
Daron watched her in silence, his eyes betraying a mix of satisfaction and genuine appreciation.
The staff, sensing the moment, quietly stepped aside.
Hans chimed in at just the right moment.
“I’ll go downstairs and set up the makeup area. Marina, you and Mr. Zamora can come down together when you’re ready,” he said.
With that, he ushered the staff out of the room.
Marina stepped out of the fitting area, feeling a little awkward. She fiddled with the hem of her dress, eyes downcast, and asked softly.
“I haven’t worn anything like this in so long. Does it look weird on me?” she asked, a bit nervous.
Ever since she started her own business, she barely ever dressed up unless she really had to.
And even then, she’d always pick something sharp and professional, wanting to look like she could handle anything the business world threw at her.
She tried to remember the last time she’d dressed up like this–it must’ve been forever ago.
So when she saw herself in the mirror wearing such a soft, pastel dress, it really shook her. It felt like everything had changed over the years, and yet, somehow, nothing had changed at all.
Daron’s deep, dark eyes lingered on her. Just when Marina thought he wasn’t going to say anything, he finally spoke, his voice low and deep.
“Don’t ever doubt that your looks are just as impressive as your brains,” he said.
Marina was completely at a loss for words.
‘Fine,‘ she thought, ‘I’ll accept it. Guess that’s the highest praise I’ll ever get from Daron.”
When Marina and Daron headed down to the makeup room together, Hans already had everything set up.
Seeing them walk in side by side, Hans flashed a sly, knowing smile.
He waved Marina over and invited her to take a seat, his greeting extra warm.
Marina could feel Hans’s enthusiasm was way stronger now than when he’d greeted her at the door earlier.
She knew full well that most of that extra warmth was thanks to Daron.
In this circle, everyone wore a mask.
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Chapter 137
Marina smiled and walked over to take a seat.
“Let’s get started, Hans,” she said.
Hans nodded.
He began applying the base makeup to Marina’s face.
:
During the makeup session, his phone kept ringing nonstop.
At first, Hans would pause to check and reply, but after a while, he just handed his phone to his assistant to take care of it.
The assistant left the makeup room with the phone, and when he returned, he cast a wary glance at Daron sitting on the nearby sofa. Then he leaned in and murmured quietly to Hans.
“Ms. Milner says she’s on her way,” the assistant said.
Hans frowned, a clear hint of impatience flickering in his eyes.
“Didn’t you tell her I’m booked solid today?” he asked.
The assistant kept his voice low. “I made it crystal clear to Ms. Milner that you’re completely booked this morning, but she… she still insisted on coming over.”
Trying to keep Joyce from making a fuss, he even mentioned Daron himself, saying Hans was busy with Daron right now. But as soon as Joyce heard that, she came running over anyway, totally undeterred.
If it were anyone else with the appointment, nobody would’ve had the guts to say a word if Joyce wanted to cut the line.
But Daron made the appointment today.
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.
