Chapter 168.
Chapter 168
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The Ross Group project was almost finished, and Marina figured she wouldn’t be staying in Sicester much longer. She packed a few essentials and some work clothes, just enough to fill a suitcase, then wheeled it out.
As she pulled her luggage out of the house, she saw Daron and Eddy standing in the yard, talking.
The two of them were planning in the yard.
With a hint of confusion in her eyes, Marina walked over and asked lightly, “What are you guys talking about?”
She’d just overheard Daron mentioning something about a water system.
When Eddy saw Marina come out, he greeted her with a warm smile, walked over, and took her suitcase from her.
He explained, “Mr. Zamora said you might not be staying in Sicester much longer, so he’s planning to set up an automated watering system in the yard. That way, even if you’re away, you can remotely water your plants.”
Marina glanced up at Daron, trying to calm the flutter in her chest.
“You really don’t have to go to all that trouble. I can just pay the neighbor to water my plants for me,” she said.
Daron’s voice was detached as he said, “Why go through the hassle of asking someone else when a system can solve the problem once and for all? Besides, if you can pay someone to water your plants, what’s to stop someone else from bribing them too?”
Marina lowered her gaze, her lashes fluttering.
Daron continued, “Just hand your spare key to Eddy later, and he’ll arrange for someone to install the system.”
Marina nodded. “Alright, I’ll transfer the money to Eddy myself.
Daron gave her a sidelong glance and said in a low voice, “Suit yourself.”
With that, he turned and headed for the gate.
Marina followed.
Eddy had already put Marina’s suitcase in the car and was waiting by the car door for them.
After Marina locked the front door, Daron was waiting at the side
Ana had just come back from the fields and couldn’t help but stare at the distinguished–looking man standing next to Marina. For a moment, she even forgot to greet Marina.
After locking the door, Marina turned around and saw Ana’s curious gaze.
“Ana,” Marina greeted.
Ana nodded, her eyes scanning Daron up and down. She lowered her voice and asked, “Marina, is this your new boyfriend?”
Marina was just about to protest, but Daron glanced at her and said coolly, “Are you ready?”
Marina nodded. “Yes.”
Daron hummed lowly in response and walked past Ana.
Ana quickly stepped aside, her eyes glued to Daron as he got into the car.
20:51 Sat, Jan 3
Chapter 168
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Seeing Ana practically glued to Daron, Marina gave an awkward mile and whispered as she walked past, “Ana, I’ve got to go.”
Ana nodded, still a little dazed.
Marina bent down and got into the car.
As Marina was closing the car door, she heard Ana mutter with a hint of envy, “That girl really has all the luck. Her boyfriends just keep getting more and more handsome.”
Marina hurriedly hit the window button, glancing nervously at Daron. ‘Please tell me he didn’t hear that, she thought, feeling her checks burn.
Daron shot her a cool look and teased, “Even Ana has better taste in men than you.”
Marina let out an awkward laugh. “Alright, alright, I admit I was blind before.”
Daron glanced at her, his tone light. “Good thing you
Marina was at a loss for words.
weren’t totally blind. There’s still hope for you.”
When Eddy pulled up to the parking lot of Daron’s place, Marina suddenly realized they weren’t going to a hotel.
Marina turned to Daron, confusion written all over her face. “Weren’t we supposed to stay at a hotel?”
Daron didn’t answer right away. He just bent down and got out of the car.
Marina furrowed her brows and hurried out of the car right after him.
Eddy smiled, took Marina’s suitcase, and waited for them at the elevator, pressing the button as they approached.
Marina followed close behind Daron to the elevator, clutching her suitcase, her heart racing for reasons she couldn’t explain.
She spoke up again, “Mr. Zamora…”
Daron finally replied, taking his time, “The Zamora Group’s project in Sicester has been getting a ton of attention lately. If we check into the same hotel, you know those nosy reporters will definitely catch us together and start making up stories. To avoid any unnecessary trouble, you’ll be staying at my place for now.”
Marina’s eyes widened in surprise.
Staying at a hotel was one thing, but staying at Daron’s place, in his private space, was a whole other story.
Marina suddenly felt a wave of nerves hit her.
It wasn’t like she thought Daron would try anything. It was more like this weird, unexplainable feeling she couldn’t shake.
“Mr. Zamora, isn’t this basically…living together?” Marins said, a little flustered.
Daron stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her.
Seeing how uncomfortable she looked, his eyes darkened.
“Do you want to move in with me?” he asked indifferently.
“No way,” Marina blurted out, shaking her head almost before he finished.
Daron’s eyes grew cold, a sharp glint flickering in them before he looked away and said flatly, “You’ll be staying in the staff
room.”
20:51 Sat, Jan 30.
Chapter 168
Marina stayed silent.
I’d rather just stay at a hotel,” she muttered.
Daron said flatly, “Hotel expenses aren’t covered.”
Marina gritted her teeth. “It’s fine. I can pay for it myself.”
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Daron replied, “If I swing by your hotel and the paparazzi catch us together, can you take responsibility if my reputation gets dragged through the mud?”
Marina took a deep breath and shot back, “Oh, please. If the press gets a photo of us together, it’s not your image that’ll take the biggest hit. Women always end up getting judged way harsher than men.”
Daron gave her a sidelong glance. “So you take the fall, and the Finley Group gets all the benefits, huh?”
Marina froze for a few seconds, thinking, ‘Guess he’s got a point there.
“Thanks for the new perspective, Mr. Zamora,” she shot back, full of sarcasm.
Marina was about to bolt with her suitcase, but Daron snatched her wrist before she could escape.
“Don’t forget, your sister’s agent still hasn’t turned up,” Daron reminded her.
Marina froze, like he’d just hit her right in her weak spot.
The elevator doors slid open.
Daron stepped inside, glancing back at Marina, who was still standing there, clearly reluctant to move. A subtle smirk played at his lips as he said in a calm, steady voice, “Are you coming in or not?”
Marina finally stepped into the elevator, dragging her feet.
Daron glanced down at her. “Why the long face? Is the staff room really such a hardship for you? Or do you want the master bedroom instead?”
Marina shook her head. “I wouldn’t dare.”
She was too nervous to even stay in the staff room, let alone the master bedroom.
Daron gave a soft chuckle, looked away, and when the elevator doors opened, he casually grabbed Marina’s suitcase and pulled it out.
“Don’t worry, I’m not charging you rent,” Daron said with a lazy drawl.
Marina stayed silent.
Daron added, “If you’re not too busy, you can do some chores around here. I’ll even pay you a wage for it.”
Marina finally looked up and asked, “How much are we talking?”
Daron replied, “Cleaning services usually run a few hundred per session. With five or six deep cleans a month, that’s over a thousand in fees every month.”
Marina was in disbelief. ‘Hold up, making some quick buck here Not bad at all, she thought, suddenly feeling a lot better
about the whole situation.
20:51 Sat, Jan 30
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.
