Daron drove into the Clark family’s estate.
At the entrance, a Clark family servant opened the car door for them and checked their invitations.
Marina stepped out of the car, naturally walking over to Daron and linking her arm with his.
0919
Her eyes couldn’t help but wander toward the estate.
The Clark family had really gone all out for this engagement party. The entire estate had been L to bottom.
d from top
It was obvious they’d really put a lot of effort into it just from the flowers at the entrance.
Marina felt a tightness in her chest; she couldn’t help but worry Elnora would be upset seeing all this.
Daron handed the invitation to the Clark family servant for inspection.
The servant saw who it was, took the invitation without even checking it, and ushered Daron in with respect.
“Mr. Zamora, this way,” the servant said.
Daron nodded slightly, cast a glance at Marina, noticing her looking around. In a calm voice, he said, “Your sister isn’t coming so soon.”
Marina withdrew her gaze and murmured, “Honestly, I wish my sister would realize what’s best for her and just not show up.”
‘So she wouldn’t have to feel even worse, Marina thought to herself.
Daron looked down at her, his gaze deep. “The Finley family hasn’t been on high society’s radar for ages. Do you think she’d pass up a chance like this?
“Your sister knows way
better than you how to get the
Finley family out of trouble fast.”
Marina’s grip on his arm tightened a little. She looked up at him, her eyes flashing with surprise.
‘He knows it all, Marina thought.
‘He knows, and yet he still brought me along,‘ she wondered.
Marina felt a nervousness she couldn’t put into words, and she clung tighter to Daron’s arm without even realizing it.
“I…” she started.
She wanted to say something, but when the words reached her lips, she realized any excuse would just sound weak and pointless. There was nothing she could really say.
She was just using him.
She was taking advantage of his temporary fascination with her to shove the Finley family back into the view of these people.
But even though he knew exactly what she was up to, he still brought her along. It left her feeling unexpectedly down.
She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and looked up at Daron with a serious expression.
11:32 Tue, Dec 30 JR
Chapter 141
“Thanks for the opportunity, Mr. Zamora. I…” she started.
Daron cut her off. “What, trying to sell me dreams again?”
Marina just stared at him, lost for words.
Not like she was trying to sell him dreams or anything.
She just really wanted to thank him, that’s all.
“I’ll definitely return the favor, I mean it,” she said, her voice sincere.
Daron just gave a low grunt, glanced away from her, and strode into the estate.
He hadn’t gone more than a few steps before Marina heard his deep voice again.
“How you make it up to me? That’s my call,” Daron said, his voice low.
Marina paused for a moment, then nodded, her voice soft. “Alright.”
With her reply, Daron glanced down at her, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Marina hadn’t set foot in this scene for so long, there was no way she wasn’t nervous.
Especially when she walked into the estate with Daron, she could feel all those stares landing right on the two of them.
The way these people looked at her was nothing like the reception at the Finley house. The social circle here was on a whole other level.
Their gazes were razor–sharp, like they could see through her every move. Every look was
Zack was in the front hall, greeting guests alongside his fiancée.
loaded with schemes.
That was when Marina noticed the woman standing next to Zack, all glammed up. It was Mila Gill, Mallory Gill’s sister, the one who always made Mallory feel second–best.
Marina instinctively tightened her grip on Daron’s arm.
Mila was always super close to Mallory.
Daron noticed her mood shift and gave her hand a gentle pat.
“Trying to rip a hole in my suit?” he teased.
Marina finally relaxed her grip a little, lowering her eyes as she smoothed out his suit.
“Sorry,” she murmured.
Daron glanced at her, a hint of irritation in his eyes, and spoke in a calm voice.
“In your sister’s world, love barely even matters. She doesn’t care about them at all, so don’t get all worked up for her,” Daron said.
Marina honestly had no idea what was going on between her sister and Zack.
She just nodded quietly, not daring to argue.
Zack spotted them through the crowd, then came over with Mila to say hi.
11:32 Tue, Dec 30 JRT
Chapter 141
“Finn and Zachary are out back,” Zack said.
Daron nodded, his voice low as he offered his congratulations. “Congrats on the engagement.”
Zack clapped Daron on the shoulder. “Sorry, there are just too many guests today. I won’t have much time to catch up with you guys. Hope you understand.”
Daron replied, “Totally get it, go do your thing.”
While Zack and Daron chatted, Mila stood quietly by Zack’s side, a happy smile on her face as she held onto her fiance’s
arm.
When her curious gaze landed on Marina, she looked a bit taken aback.
“Are you… Marina?” Mila asked, her voice uncertain.
Marina had left Vrufield when she was just seventeen.
It made sense Mila wasn’t sure.
And… Who could’ve guessed Marina would actually show up with Daron?
Marina flashed a warm, polite smile and extended her hand to Mila.
“Mila, congrats on your engagement. Long time no see,” she said.
Zack glanced at Mila, then turned his gaze to Marina.
He’d been curious when he saw Daron show up with a woman earlier, but since Daron didn’t introduce her, Zack figured it wasn’t his place to ask or make a big deal out of it.
Marina still had a few features that reminded him of Elnora.
A flicker of something complicated flashed in Zack’s eyes, but it was gone in an instant.
Even though he already had a pretty good idea, he still asked, “And this is?”
Daron lowered his gaze and introduced her in a calm voice, “Marina.”
Mila kept her smile, shifted her gaze from Marina to Zack, and added, “That’s Elnora’s little sister.”
Zack nodded slightly. “Hello.”
Mila gave Zack a nervous look, and when she saw he didn’t react at all, she felt a wave of relief.
Marina’s smile didn’t falter. “Hello, Mr. Clark. Congrats on your engagement.”
Zack replied, “Thanks.”
Mila gave Marina a gentle smile and said softly, “Marina, Mallory and Kara are out back. You should go catch up with them.”
Marina nodded with a warm smile. “Sure thing, Mila.”
Mila kept her eyes fixed on Marina, her gaze probing and full of scrutiny.
Of course Marina knew exactly what Mila was thinking. She tightened her grip on Daron’s arm, shot him a sidelong glance, and flashed a dazzling smile.
“Come on, Daron, let’s go together,” she said.
11:32 Tue, Dec 30 JR
Chapter 141
Daron looked down at her, taking in her bright, gentle smile. He arched an eyebrow, then turned to Zack.
“We’ll head inside,” he said.
Zack nodded.
“Alright.”
As Marina followed Daron, she shot Mila a quick smile as she turned back.
“Mila, if my sister shows up later, could you do me a favor and let her know I’m inside?” she asked.
Mila felt a weird mix of emotions seeing Marina still act so respectful toward her, just like old times, gentle nod. “Sure.”
After replying to Marina, Mila turned to glance at Zack.
Zack just stood there, his gaze downcast, looking like he was lost in his own thoughts.
Maybe he was just as uneasy about all this as she was.
‘Elnora never even told her only sister about what happened between her and Zack,‘ Mila thought.
‘Did we really not matter to her at all?‘ she wondered.
‘Or did she just not care at all?‘ Mila mused.
AD
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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.
