Chapter 144
Kara realized she’d shoved Marina a bit too hard when she almost sent her flying.
But Daron quickly caught her, and Kara let out a silent sigh of relief. A glint of triumph flashed in her eyes as she shot Marina a smug smile.
“Talk about a lucky break, Kara thought to herself.
After Daron wrapped his arm around Marina, he shifted over, making space for her to sit down.
With all the little dramas happening, Joyce’s question was completely drowned out.
No one paid any attention to what she’d said.
When Mallory saw Daron fussing over Marina like that, jealousy flashed in her eyes.
She tried to make her way over, but there was no space for her anymore, so she had to sulk back to her seat, clearly frustrated.
Chloe took in everything, even catching the brief chill in Joyce’s gaze. She smirked and smoothly steered the conversation. to something else.
Finn struck up a conversation with Chloe in his usual gentlemanly way, and the mood quickly lightened up.
As the engagement party got underway, the Clark family sent someone to the backyard to fetch them.
Mallory stood up, ignoring her friends behind her, and walked straight over, telling everyone to head to the front hall.
Kara let go of Marina’s hand and naturally went back to her brother’s side, looping her arm through his.
Finn couldn’t help but let out a helpless laugh.
When Marina went to stand up, she noticed Daron was sitting right on the hem of her dress.
She was basically stuck there until he got up first.
Daron, however, was still busy on his phone and clearly had no plans to move.
Left with no other choice, Marina leaned in and quietly murmured, “Hey, could you get up
for a sec?”
Marina leaned in and whispered, “Hey Daron, you’re sitting on my dress.” She shot him a look, hoping he’d notice.
Daron glanced down, realized, and smoothly got up, casually offering his hand to her.
Marina blinked, a little surprised at the gesture, but she still placed her hand in his.
His broad, warm palm wrapped around hers, and he pulled her up, leading her out of the backyard.
He still had his phone in hand, the call ongoing, his voice low and serious.
“Grandpa, I make my own decisions,” he said, his tone firm.
Marina had no choice but to follow his lead, her hand still in his.
Everyone just stood there, watching as Daron took Marina by the hand and led her straight to the front hall.
From the way he acted, it didn’t look at all like he was just doing a favor for an old friend.
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Chapter 144
It felt more like a natural, instinctive gesture.
Mallory gritted her teeth, thinking Marina was such a sly manipulator.
Everyone knew that when someone was on the phone, they’d just take whatever you hand them without even noticing.
Marina probably noticed Daron was distracted on his call and took advantage of the moment to get close to him.
Mallory stomped her foot, shooting Joyce an annoyed look.
“Joyce, look at her! Why aren’t you doing anything? You’re supposed to…”
Joyce’s eyes went cold as she cut her off. “Let’s just go.”
She didn’t give Mallory a chance to finish, looping her arm through Chloe’s and leading her away:
Seeing the look on Joyce’s face, Chloe couldn’t help but think, ‘Mallory really is a complete fool:
The whole Milner–Zamora engagement wasn’t even official yet. It’s one thing to talk about it behind closed doors, but to blurt it out in front of Daron? She didn’t even care if he shot her down and embarrassed Joyce right there.
Mallory followed behind Joyce, feeling totally stifled. She couldn’t do a thing about it and just had to swallow her frustration.
As Marina walked into the front hall, she noticed Elnora making her way in with another well–known female entrepreneur, the two of them deep in conversation.
Both women were dressed in sharp suits, clearly having come straight from work.
The other woman looked at Elnora with obvious admiration, nodding in agreement repeatedly.
Marina watched from afar, not wanting to intrude. But Elnora spotted her first and greeted her with a warm smile.
Elnora looked totally at ease, her eyes and demeanor exactly the same as always, like nothing had changed at all.
She was completely unfazed by the fact that today was Zack and Mila’s engagement party, acting as if she were just at another routine business gathering.
Seeing that, Marina couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved.
Just then, Mila walked over with Zack, her arm linked through his, heading straight for Elnora.
Marina’s nerves kicked in, and she found herself clenching her fists.
Daron noticed Marina was getting anxious, and with the noise around them rising, he said a quick word to his grandpa and hung up.
He glanced down, catching her staring in Elnora’s direction.
“Scenes like this are nothing for your sister. She’s got a much quicker mind than you do,” he said lightly.
Still, he didn’t let go of Marina’s hand and headed straight toward Elnora with her.
Mila walked up to Elnora with Zack on her arm, her face glowing with happiness as she spoke in a sweet, gentle voice.
“Elnora, I searched everywhere for you and couldn’t spot you at all. I almost thought you weren’t going to show up,” she said.
Elnora looked unfazed, her smile polite, but a bit aloof.
“Why would I miss your engagement? Congrats, and I hope you’ll be happy,” she replied.
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Chapter 144
Mila’s eyes grew a little red as she let go of Zack’s arm and reached out to take Elnora’s hand.
“Elnora, thank you so much for coming to our engagement party. Having your blessing means the world to me,” she said, her voice soft and sweet.
Elnora, with barely a change in expression, slipped her hand out of Mila’s grasp, her voice cool and distant.
“The ceremony’s about to start. You two go do your thing. Don’t mind me,” she said.
091
Mila didn’t seem the least bit awkward. She just pulled her hand back and naturally slipped her arm through Zack’s again.
“Since most of Vrufield’s big shots are here today, you can mingle as you like. If there’s anyone you want us to, just let us know,” she said.
“If I can help out the Finley Group, I’d be more than happy to,” she added.
Elnora nodded slightly and just watched Mila.
Juice you
“No need. Mr. Clark has already helped the Finley Group a ton. The Finley family’s problems are sorted out now, so there’s no need for you two to worry about it,” she said coolly.
Mila’s smile looked a bit forced now.
Zack’s gaze lingered on Elnora’s face. Her eyes were cool and detached, not a trace of sadness or pain in them. Something about her attitude just got under his skin.
His lips moved, like he wanted to say something, but nothing came out.
She’d taken the hush money the Clark family offered after the split, never kicked up any drama. Almost nobody in their social circle even knew they’d been together, on the down–low, for five whole years.
He was the one who ended things, so saying anything now would just make him lose face. He shoved down that weird, bitter feeling and said in a low, steady voice, “Do whatever you want.”
Elnora gave a polite nod. “Well, congratulations.”
That one word “congratulations” made Zack’s gaze turn icy, and for a moment, he barely managed to keep his composure.
All these years, she’d always been so emotionless, like she’d never loved him at all. Even when his grandpa showed up with him to end things, she agreed right away.
She seemed totally heartless.
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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.
