Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3409

Marina knew that as Carson's public fiancée, it was her duty to play the part convincingly.

Not to mention, after the way he had spoiled Erin all weekend, she definitely owed him a favor.

So she agreed without hesitation. "No problem. What time?"

"We'll head out around nine. I'll pick you up," Carson said. "It looks better if we arrive together."

"Sounds good," she replied briskly.

"See you tomorrow," his velvety voice carried a hint of a smile.

After hanging up, Marina headed over to the main house to have dinner with her grandparents.

Just as she walked in, Phoebe descended the grand staircase, a fluffy Bichon Frise trailing on a leash. "Marina!" Phoebe greeted her with a sickly-sweet smile.

Marina gave a stiff nod and walked straight into the dining room to greet her grandparents.

Halfway through the meal, Grandpa Evert suddenly set his silverware down. "Marina, you've been coming home awfully late recently."

"I have," Marina didn't look up from her plate. "Work has been demanding this week."

Grandma Evert chimed in. "Work is important, but you need to be considerate."

For a split second, Marina thought her grandmother actually cared about her health. A brief flicker of warmth touched her heart—until the older woman continued.

"Phoebe has been struggling with her insomnia again. Every time you come home late, you set off the dogs in the yard. Once Phoebe is woken up, she can't get back to sleep for the rest of the night."

The Evert family kept two large guard dogs in the backyard.

That tiny spark of warmth inside Marina was instantly snuffed out, replaced by a suffocating, icy dread. It felt like a block of lead had been shoved into her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Rhiannon quickly jumped in to defend her. "Marina would love to get home earlier, Mom. But Jude is out of town on business, and the entire weight of the company is resting on her shoulders right now."

Aunt Charlotte immediately saw an opening and pounced. "You know, my nephew just resigned from his executive position. Why don't I have him come into the office to help Marina out?"

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