His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 13

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 18**

Robert shook his head vehemently, his expression a mix of urgency and anxiety. “No, Ms. Finley, that’s not possible. Mr. Ross is currently in a meeting. Perhaps you could wait in his office? I can get you some coffee,” he suggested, his voice rising slightly in pitch as he attempted to defuse the tension.

As he spoke, he gestured toward Lavern’s office, his hand reaching for the doorknob, his movements almost too eager.

Marina, however, redirected her focus, her determination unwavering. “No, thank you. I’ll wait in my own office.” It was conveniently located right next to Lavern’s, a constant reminder of the close proximity to the chaos that was unfolding.

Lately, Shawna and Lavern had become practically inseparable, and the speculation surrounding their private meetings gnawed at Marina, filling her with an unsettling mix of curiosity and dread. What exactly were they discussing behind closed doors? The thought alone made her stomach twist.

Robert lingered in the hallway, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, reflecting his unease.

Without sparing him a glance, Marina grasped the handle of her office door, her fingers trembling slightly as she scanned her fingerprint. The lock beeped, but instead of granting her access, it flashed an error message. She tried again, and then once more, each attempt met with the same frustrating denial.

Robert kept his head bowed, his breath shallow as he sensed the rising tension.

Then it struck Marina like a bolt of lightning: someone had reset the fingerprint lock and erased her access from the system entirely.

Only Lavern had the authority to make such changes, and the realization filled her with a cold fury.

Her eyes narrowed into slits, glinting with determination. “Call her over,” she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Robert stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. “Ms. Thornton is in a meeting with Mr. Ross. Perhaps it would be better if you waited in Mr. Ross’s office for now?”

Marina’s mind raced. “Ms. Thornton? After Wonder Group let her go, Lavern swooped in, giving her a place in the company and even handing over my VP office to this newcomer. How audacious!”

A chilling laugh escaped her lips as she fixed Robert with a piercing gaze. “You covered for him so well in front of me, and yet he doesn’t even value your loyalty? He allows some wide-eyed rookie fresh out of college to snatch your position right from under you?”

Robert froze, shame washing over him as he hung his head. He had underestimated Marina’s awareness.

“Sorry, Ms. Finley,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. Marina chose to ignore him, striding purposefully toward the conference room.

Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Shawna had taken Robert’s place, seated comfortably at Lavern’s right, her pen dancing across her notepad as she diligently jotted down notes.

Dressed in a tailored black business suit, her skirt was noticeably shorter than usual, accentuated by sheer black stockings that clung to her legs.

Lavern sat at the head of the table, his face a mask of seriousness as he absorbed the reports from the department heads. Feeling a bit mischievous, Shawna couldn’t resist teasing Lavern, her toe playfully nudging him under the table.

He shot her a fleeting glance, his expression a blend of sternness and reluctant affection, a silent warning that didn’t go unnoticed.

Just then, the door swung open with a force that startled everyone inside. Marina entered like a tempest, and Shawna instinctively jerked her foot back, colliding it painfully with the table leg, causing the entire conference table to rattle.

The room, filled with sharp-minded professionals, immediately registered the commotion, their eyes darting between Shawna’s flustered face and Marina’s icy demeanor. It was clear to everyone that tensions were running high.

They braced themselves for Marina’s expected outburst, yet she simply smiled, her gaze locking onto Shawna. “You alright there, Ms. Thornton? Did your foot take a hit?”

Shawna’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she averted her eyes, unable to meet Marina’s piercing stare. “I-I’m… fine,” she stammered, her voice shaky.

Marina raised a skeptical eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “I thought perhaps your foot was aching, which is why you decided to slide it over to Mr. Ross for a little rub, you know, just to ease the pain.”

Soon enough, the conference room was left with just Marina, Lavern, and Shawna.

Shawna quickly perked up, eager to please. “I’ll get you some coffee, Marina,” she offered, her tone overly cheerful.

Marina didn’t even glance her way, her focus locked onto Lavern, her glare sharp enough to cut glass.

She had stepped back from the company for a mere six months, and now it felt as if the entire Ross Group had fallen under Lavern’s control.

Did they really think that despite her intellect, she couldn’t outmaneuver him? That she would simply fade into the background, becoming one of those trophy wives who orbited her husband like a satellite?

Not a chance.

Noticing her foul mood, Lavern rose from his seat, closing the distance between them, one hand resting firmly on the table in front of her, his imposing figure looming over her.

“Marina, the decision to abandon Wonder Group was a collective choice made by the executives. You’ve been out of the loop for months; you’re not aware of the market shifts. This isn’t about anyone’s personal vendetta.”

Marina sized him up, his proximity making her pulse quicken. “Mr. Ross, Wonder Group has been flawless in this deal. The real reason behind your stubborn withdrawal? We both know what it is.”

Lavern’s gaze darkened, storm clouds gathering in his eyes. “So you’re admitting to conspiring with Yesenia from the beginning, trying to undermine Shawna and costing her the job?”

Marina scoffed, her tone icy. “Weren’t you the one claiming there was nothing between you two? If that’s the case, why would I waste my energy on her? Unless, of course, there’s some hidden truth you’re desperate to keep under wraps?”

With her confidence unwavering, she leaned back slightly, ready for whatever confrontation lay ahead.