Chapter 163
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Marina was led out of the escape room by the staff, and she spotted Daron standing not far away, looking grim in his black sportswear.
When he saw her come out safe and sound, his gaze grew more intense.
Marina gave him an apologetic smile.
After all, she was the one who got separated, so it probably ruined his fun.
Daron saw Marina’s sheepish smile and lightly tapped her forehead.
Daron said. “You managed to get lost even here? Only you could pull that off.”
Marina bit her lip, feeling a little embarrassed, and said softly, “Can we play again? I promise I’ll stick to you like glue this time. I won’t get distracted, I swear.”
She was totally hooked on this escape room now. The layout and the way they used the space were just so addictive, she couldn’t help but want another round.
Daron didn’t answer right away. He just looked down at her, his gaze cool and appraising.
Marina gave him a pleading look.
“Come on, Daron, please? I’m really interested in this escape room,” she said, her voice soft and hopeful.
Her doe eyes shimmered with hope as she gazed up at Daron.
For a moment, a hint of warmth flickered in Daron’s stern eyes, and he finally nodded.
This time, Marina stuck to Daron like glue, not daring to let him out of her sight for even a second.
But every now and then, she’d get distracted by some cool design in the room. Just as she was about to wander off, Daron would reach out, grab her hand, and pull her right back to his side, making sure she didn’t get lost again.
Marina glanced at their hands, tightly held together, then looked up at Daron and said, “I just want to see if I might accidentally trigger another switch and open up a new scenario.
Daron could only let her explore as she liked, but he kept her hand firmly in his the whole time.
When they finally cleared the game, Marina was still reluctant to leave, wishing the fun could go on.
She kept chattering to Daron about all the clever details and features in the escape room.
Daron listened intently, his head slightly bowed as he took in everything she said.
When they reached the exit, Daron stopped in his tracks.
Marina lifted her gaze and saw a young man standing at the exit.
When the boy spotted Marina, his face lit up with a bright, cheerful smile.
“Did you guys play through the escape room all over again?” he called out.
Marina didn’t answer. She glanced up at Daron and asked softly, Do you know him?”
Daron answered flatly, “No.”
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Chapter 163
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Marina just said, “Oh, then added, “But he seems to know you.”
Daron replied, “It’s pretty normal for people to know me, isn’t it?
Marina was momentarily at a loss for words at his arrogant remark.
But honestly, Daron had a point.
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Especially here in Vrufield, it was just how things worked. Everyone knew Daron, but he didn’t bother remembering most people. Only Daron could pull off something like this.
The boy came right up to Marina, super friendly, like he already knew her, and flashed her a big grin.
“Hey, did you go through that trippy butterfly room?” he asked.
“That room’s design was just insane. It’s kinda like the mirror fantasy room we saw at the beginning, but way creepier and more mysterious,” the boy said.
Marina was instantly intrigued.
How do you unlock that room?‘ Marina wondered to herself.
Noticing the curiosity in Marina’s eyes, the boy realized they hadn’t tried that level yet, so he quickly started explaining. “Oh, you guys didn’t get to that part? Let me tell you how it works…”
“Hey, can I add you on social media? We can chat more about it, he said with a grin.
Marina was about to say no, but before she could even respond, Daron suddenly grabbed her wrist.
He pulled her right up against his side, his grip possessive and unyielding.
Marina could sense Daron’s anger bubbling up, so she immediately made it clear she wasn’t with the boy.
“No, thanks,” she cut him off, her voice crisp and no–nonsense.
The boy frowned, shot a glance at Daron, and asked carefully, “Didn’t you say he’s not your boyfriend? Why do you look so nervous around him? Even if he is, he can’t just keep you from talking to other people, right?”
Marina thought the boy was purposely acting all innocent and coy. And honestly, that kind of fake sweetness just wasn’t her thing.
“Sorry, we only met today, so I wouldn’t call us friends,” she said to the boy, her tone polite but clearly keeping her distance.
The boy looked a little hurt. “I just wanted to talk about the hidden levels in the game. You seemed really into it, so I thought we were kindred spirits.”
Marina replied coolly, “Thanks, but I prefer to figure things out on my own.”
She paused, glanced at Daron, and added, “Besides, if I ever wanted someone to explain this game to me, I know someone who could dig up every single detail and even have the designer brought in just for me.”
Daron glanced down at her, raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say a word. He just turned and headed for the exit.
Marina could tell Daron’s anger had faded, so she skipped after him, her steps light and cheerful.
She’d already made it so obvious to Daron, dropping hints left and right.
He should be able to take the hint.
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Chapter 163
Right now, she was dying to meet the designer of this game.
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Those empty commercial buildings the Finley family owned could actually come in handy for once. If this thing really takes off and keeps growing, maybe they could even revive those old Finley commercial buildings. They were just sitting there gathering dust anyway, so there was no harm in trying. After all, lesperate times call for desperate measures.
After leaving the escape room, Marina followed Daron into the r.
Marina didn’t hold back. She told Daron what was on her mind. After all, he already knew exactly what she was thinking after that game, and there was no need to play games with him anymore.
“Mr. Zamora, would you consider letting the Finley Group get in on this project? We’ve got some prime venues that could make the whole thing even bigger and more thrilling. And of course, we can work out the profit split,” Marina said, her voice full of enthusiasm.
Daron shot her a sideways glance, saw sincerity in her eyes, and said coolly, “You’re working for Zamora Group, but now you’re representing Finley Group to discuss this with me? What are you some kind of corporate spy?”
Marina stayed silent.
His “corporate spy” line hit her right where it hurt. She was so thrown off, she just stood there, totally at a loss for words.
She took a deep breath and said quietly, “Mr. Zamora, I’m not naive. I get what you’re getting at, and I know why you brought me here.”
He was clearly trying to help the Finley family out. If he didn’t want to lend a hand, he wouldn’t have brought her here to inspire her.
Daron had been clued in on the Finley family’s situation. He even knew about all those unused commercial properties they had just sitting there.
Getting in on a project like this wouldn’t take much up front, and it could brin family right now, it was just what they needed to turn things around.
in a steady stream of cash. For the Finley
Daron looked back at Marina, seeing her clear, bright eyes shining with gratitude as she gazed at him. His own eyes darkened, a shadow flickering there.
‘Does she really understand? Marina was kind of slow, and to be fair, she really had not figured it out at all,’ Daron thought to himself.
Seeing her completely clueless, Daron took a deep breath, trying not to let her get on his nerves. Deciding it was better not to look at her at all, he simply closed his eyes and told the driver “Take her back to the Finley family.”
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.
