Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 78 Summary
In Chapter 78 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” the tension escalates dramatically when Mallory erupts in anger over Kara’s comments, filling the private room with her fury. The classmates are taken aback, exchanging worried glances as they feel powerless to intervene. The staff, aware of the formidable Gross family name, hesitate to step in, fearing repercussions. The restaurant manager eventually knocks and calls for Kara, recognizing the need for her to mediate the situation due to her connection with the Gross family.
Kara, confident yet considerate, reassures her friend Marina before heading into the storm of emotions. Marina, sensing the gravity of the situation, offers to accompany her, but Kara insists she should stay back to avoid redirecting Mallory’s anger. As time passes and Kara does not return, Marina’s worry grows, prompting her to leave the table in search of her friend. This decision leads her to an unexpected encounter with Jake, a former classmate whose presence stirs up feelings of nostalgia and unease.
Jake’s demeanor quickly shifts from friendly to invasive as he attempts to corner Marina for her phone number, revealing an unsettling side to his character. Despite her discomfort, Marina maintains her composure, deflecting his advances while trying to escape the situation. However, Jake’s persistence escalates, and he makes a troubling proposal regarding her family’s land, making Marina feel trapped and pressured. Just as she feels cornered, she spots Daron Zamora, a man she recognizes, and pleads for his help, hoping he can provide an escape from Jake.
Daron’s icy demeanor contrasts sharply with Marina’s desperate plea, as he initially appears indifferent to her plight. Jake, sensing Daron’s authority, shifts from bravado to nervousness. The chapter culminates in a tense standoff where Daron asserts his dominance, ordering Jake to call his father and leave the premises, thereby offering Marina a crucial lifeline. The emotional stakes are high as Marina grapples with her fear of Jake and her hope for Daron’s intervention, leaving readers on edge about the outcome of these fraught interactions.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt**
**Chapter 78**
Mallory was absolutely incensed by Kara’s comments, her fury erupting like a volcano in the private room. The atmosphere crackled with tension as she unleashed a torrent of frustration that seemed to stretch on endlessly, her voice echoing off the walls.
The classmates, caught off guard by the intensity of her outburst, exchanged anxious glances, unsure of how to intervene. They felt utterly powerless, while the staff hovered at the door, hesitant to step in, their apprehension stemming from the weight of Mallory’s family name. The Gross family was a force to be reckoned with, and no one wanted to risk their ire.
The manager of Snowy House, a middle-aged man with a weary expression, finally mustered the courage to knock on the door. “Kara,” he called gently, “Could you please step in for a moment?”
Given that the Gross family had shares in the restaurant, and it was Kara who had inadvertently set Mallory off, it was clear they needed her to mediate the situation.
Kara, without a moment’s hesitation, glanced at Marina, offering her a quick nod of reassurance before rising to her feet.
Marina, sensing the gravity of the situation, stood up as well. “I’ll go with you,” she offered, her voice laced with concern.
But Kara, with a gentle yet firm hand on Marina’s shoulder, guided her back into her seat. “You really shouldn’t. If you go in there, she’ll just redirect her anger at you. My brother is currently collaborating with the Milner family, and Mallory is just a distant relative by marriage. The Milners wouldn’t lift a finger for her. She can’t touch me,” Kara explained, her tone steady.
She paused, her expression hardening. “If she weren’t causing such a scene and disturbing the guests, I wouldn’t even bother with her. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Marina nodded, watching Kara stride confidently towards the door with the manager, her heart pounding with worry.
Minutes turned into a half-hour, and the food lay untouched, growing cold on the table. Still, there was no sign of Kara’s return. Marina’s eyes darted to Kara’s phone and bag, which remained conspicuously on the table, a silent reminder of her absence.
An unsettling feeling crept into Marina’s mind, and she decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She snatched up Kara’s belongings and stepped out into the hallway, determined to find her friend.
As she rounded a corner, Kara’s phone began to ring, its tone cutting through the silence like a knife. Just as she reached for it, a shoulder bumped into hers, sending the phone tumbling to the floor.
She quickly bent down to retrieve it, but before she could grasp it, a figure swooped in and snatched it up.
Marina looked up, her brow furrowing slightly. The guy looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him.
“Marina?” he said, a spark of recognition lighting up his features.
She nodded politely, a small smile gracing her lips. “Hi,” she replied, her voice soft.
Seeing the uncertainty flicker in her eyes, he took a step closer, introducing himself. “It’s me, Jake. Remember?”
Recognition dawned on Marina, and she felt the pieces fall into place. Jake had been a lanky boy back in school, but now he had filled out, sporting a belly that caught her off guard.
Jake stepped closer, a grin spreading across his face as he handed her the phone. “Remember now?” he asked, his tone teasing.
Marina nodded, a hint of nostalgia creeping in. “Yeah, it’s been a while.”
She accepted her phone back, her gratitude tinged with unease. “Thank you.”
Jake’s smile lingered, but there was something unsettling about it that made Marina instinctively step back, creating distance between them.
“Yeah, it’s been forever, Marina. After you left Vrufield, we completely lost touch. Isn’t it wild running into you here? Must be fate, right? Mind if I get your number?” he asked, leaning in slightly.
Marina pressed her lips together, searching for the right words. “I’ve been keeping up with the class group on Facebook, just haven’t really said much. You’re in the same group, aren’t you?” she deflected, hoping to steer the conversation away from personal details.
Jake wouldn’t let it go. “Seriously, who even uses that anymore? Marina, are you trying to dodge giving me your real number?” he pressed, an edge of frustration creeping into his voice.
Marina frowned, sidestepping his attempt to close the gap. “Why would I?” she countered, feeling the creepiness radiating from him, sending a shiver down her spine.
As she tried to retreat, she found herself cornered against the wall, trapped. Jake’s gaze roamed over her, lingering uncomfortably on her delicate features. His smile morphed into something predatory.
“Ten years, and you’re still just as stunning as you were back in school, Marina,” he said, his tone dripping with insincerity.
Annoyance flared in Marina’s eyes. She knew that retreating would only embolden him, so she lifted her chin defiantly, meeting his gaze with unwavering strength. “I have something to take care of, so I’ll have to cut this short,” she asserted.
As she attempted to walk past him, Jake blocked her way, his expression shifting to one of false concern. “Hey, we’re classmates, so of course I’ve heard about your family situation. You’ve been out of Vrufield for a decade; I bet you don’t even know how things work around here anymore. My dad’s got a new gig; he’s…”
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “He’s basically the deputy director of the Construction Bureau. That land your family owns out in South Ring? If you want it zoned for business, all it takes is my dad saying yes.”
Marina remained silent, her mind racing as she processed his words.
Jake continued, his confidence swelling. “As long as you follow me, reviving the Finley family would be as easy as my father saying yes.”
Marina was at a loss for words, feeling the weight of his proposal pressing down on her.
Jake’s smug grin widened, as if he believed he had her right where he wanted her. “Marina, you know I’ve had a thing for you since middle school. If you’re with me, I’d never let you down.”
She met his triumphant gaze with a calm smile, neither conceding nor provoking. “All right. Then remember this number. You can contact me anytime,” she said, her voice steady.
Jake’s face lit up with a self-satisfied grin, his eyes gleaming with triumph. The girl he had idolized in school was now seemingly yielding to him, and the feeling was intoxicating.
“I knew you were the type who knows how to play the game, Marina,” he said, his tone dripping with satisfaction.
Marina recited her number from memory, her heart racing.
Jake quickly jotted it down, and in that fleeting moment, she seized the opportunity to slip past him.
But her quick compliance raised his suspicions. The moment she turned to leave, he dialed the number, his curiosity piqued.
In mere seconds, a gentle, almost shy voice answered. “Hello, this is Shawna. Who’s calling?”
Jake’s eyes widened as he watched Marina walk away, and in a sudden rush, he hurried after her, grabbing her arm.
“Marina, are you messing with me?” he demanded, panic lacing his voice.
Marina’s eyes widened in alarm as she felt his grip tighten. In a desperate bid for help, she scanned the area and spotted someone approaching.
Her gaze landed on a pair of exquisitely crafted sapphire cufflinks, glinting in the light.
The man wore a crisp white shirt, the collar unbuttoned at the top, and his cold, strikingly handsome face seemed even more refined in the dimly lit, antique-styled corridor.
“Mr. Zamora,” Marina breathed, her voice barely a whisper, relief flooding her chest.
Daron glanced down at her, his expression icy and distant, as if she were a stranger.
Seeing him about to pull away, Marina’s heart raced, and she clung to his arm tighter. “Help me. For the sake of the cufflinks I designed that caught your interest,” she pleaded, desperation creeping into her tone.
She knew just how relentless Jake could be, and the thought of being left alone with him sent chills down her spine.
Daron’s gaze remained frosty as he coolly pried her hand off his arm, leaving Marina feeling vulnerable and exposed.
A wave of panic washed over her, turning her pale. ‘Damn,’ she cursed inwardly, ‘He wasn’t even willing to help this much!’
Jake, sensing an opportunity, hurried over, his earlier bravado replaced by a mix of flattery and fear towards Daron.
“Mr. Zamora, what brings you to Snowy House today?” Jake asked, his voice faltering.
Daron shot Jake a cold, dismissive glance, his voice dripping with disdain. “What, is the Taylor family’s name carved on the door or something? Am I not allowed in?”
Jake forced a smile, stammering as he tried to explain. “Mr. Zamora, no, no, I didn’t mean that. I drank a bit too much, said something stupid. Please don’t take it to heart,” he rushed to clarify.
Daron let out a cold snort, placing his hand firmly on Marina’s shoulder. His long, defined fingers pressed down with an unmistakable gesture of possession.
“I can see you really did drink too much,” Daron said, his tone frosty, leaving no room for argument.
Jake’s eyes flickered nervously to Daron’s hand on Marina’s shoulder, and he instinctively dropped his gaze, fear evident in his posture.
Daron shot a chilling look over his shoulder, his voice commanding as he ordered, “Call Deputy Director Taylor. Tell him to take his son from Snowy House home to sober up.”
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the chaotic confrontation, Marina found herself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. The tension in the air had morphed from anger to palpable fear, and as Daron’s protective grip on her shoulder anchored her in the moment, a profound sense of relief washed over her. She had expected to navigate the evening alone, but Daron’s unexpected intervention had shifted the tides, offering her a glimpse of safety amidst the storm. The weight of Jake’s predatory gaze and his unsettling words lingered in her mind, but with Daron by her side, she felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to face the shadows of her past alone after all.
As the night unfolded, the promise of newfound alliances began to take shape. Daron’s cold demeanor, once intimidating, now seemed to harbor an unexpected depth—an unspoken understanding of her plight. Marina realized that in the midst of chaos, connections could be forged, and strength could be found in the most unlikely of allies. The winds that had once carried her lost promises were now shifting, whispering of new beginnings and uncharted paths. With Daron’s presence grounding her, Marina felt the embers of her resolve reigniting, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead with a newfound courage and clarity.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter, tensions are set to escalate as the confrontation between Marina, Jake, and Daron unfolds. With Jake’s unsettling interest in Marina intensifying, readers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering how she will navigate this precarious situation. Daron’s icy demeanor hints at a deeper connection to Marina’s past and the unspoken alliances that may come into play. Will he step up to protect her, or will his coldness push her further into Jake’s clutches? The stakes are high, and Marina’s safety hangs in the balance as she seeks a way out of this tangled web of past relationships and present dangers.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate dynamics of power and reputation within their social circle. As Daron asserts his authority over Jake, the implications of family legacies and the weight of their names will come to the forefront. Readers can expect revelations about the Gross and Taylor families, shedding light on the motivations driving each character’s actions. With the tension simmering and alliances shifting, the next chapter is bound to be a gripping exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to protect what truly matters. Get ready for unexpected twists that will leave you breathless, as Marina grapples with her decisions and the potential consequences that follow.
