His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 33

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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 33**

Daron observed the way Marina’s cheeks puffed up, her expression a mix of indignation and delight. He paused for a moment, allowing the tension to build before reaching for the delicate figurine. “So, you genuinely like it, don’t you?” he asked, his voice laced with a hint of teasing.

Marina nodded vigorously, her enthusiasm reminiscent of a bobblehead doll. “I can’t even begin to articulate what I felt the instant I laid eyes on her. It was this overwhelming blend of awe and a swirl of complicated emotions.” Her voice trembled slightly, revealing just how deeply the moment resonated with her.

In that instant, it was as if she had collided head-on with her own youth, memories flooding back like a tide. Her eyes sparkled, radiating an unfiltered joy that seemed to light up the dim room.

Yet, beneath her hopeful gaze, Daron simply returned the figurine to its place in the display cabinet. “You know, some things only reveal their true worth when they’re no longer within reach,” he remarked, his tone cool and detached.

Marina felt a sharp pang in her chest, as if something had lodged itself there, refusing to budge. “But it’s my design! How could it just vanish from memory?” she cried, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

Daron closed the cabinet door with a deliberate slowness. “If you hadn’t stumbled upon it here today, Ms. Finley, would it even have crossed your mind? You’ve forgotten about it for years; isn’t that a kind of disappearance in itself?”

He stood a few paces away, regarding her with a cold, mocking smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. “It could have been cherished by so many more people.”

Marina felt her breath catch in her throat, a flicker of sadness shadowing her bright expression. Her face fell, crumpling like a piece of paper, as if his words had landed a devastating blow.

Daron turned away, brushing past her with an air of indifference. “Still interested in checking out the project, Ms. Finley?” he asked, his voice distant and disinterested.

Marina shook off the lingering sting of his words. Seeing him lounging on the sofa, utterly at ease, sent a wave of frustration crashing over her. “Let’s get on with it!” she snapped, her impatience bubbling over.

But Daron remained firmly planted on the sofa, showing no inclination to move.

Noticing his blatant lack of enthusiasm for the Wonder Group project, Marina felt an irritating surge of annoyance. “Mr. Zamora, you’re not seriously considering backing out of investing in Wonder Group, are you?” she pressed, her voice rising slightly.

Daron arched an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “What makes you think that?”

Marina shot back, “You were clearly banking on me getting emotional and skipping the tour, so you’d have the perfect excuse to pull out.”

A spark ignited in Daron’s eyes, and an enigmatic half-smile played on his lips. “Not as clueless as I thought you were.”

She had struck a nerve; she had hit the mark on his intentions.

Marina frowned, a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. “This was part of our agreement. Mr. Zamora, are you truly going to break your word?”

Daron’s expression grew impassive, the earlier levity evaporating as a subtle gravity seeped into his tone. “I despise going back on my promises, but I also can’t stand it when a potential partner sneaks around behind my back, courting other investors.”

Marina’s heart jolted at his words. “Yesenia wouldn’t do that,” she insisted, her voice rising in disbelief.

Daron remained silent, merely gesturing with a hand for her to call and confirm.

Realizing her phone was still in his car, Marina patted her pockets in vain. “Mr. Zamora, Wonder Group would never sign with anyone else. This project…”

Daron interrupted her, his voice cutting through her desperation. “Do you know who the investor Yesenia reached out to?”

Marina shook her head, confusion swirling in her mind. “No idea.” The news had only just reached her from him.

Daron’s reply was curt. “Your fiancé.”

Marina froze, stunned into silence. She had already solidified her agreement with Daron, yet Yesenia had gone behind her back to contact Lavern.

Noticing her shock, Daron frowned and tugged at his collar, loosening it slightly.

“You should head back, Ms. Finley. If you reconsider selling me the Ross Group shares, let Garret know sooner rather than later to save the legal team from wasting time on the contract,” he said, his tone dismissive.

Marina hurried to respond, “I won’t change my mind.”

Daron glanced up lazily, a hint of sarcasm lacing his words. “Well, I appreciate your honesty and reliability, Ms. Finley.”

She caught the bitter edge in his tone and bit her lip, mentally cursing Yesenia for her meddling. “Putting aside what’s happened, what do you think of the Wonder Group project, Mr. Zamora?” she asked, striving to shift the focus back to the task at hand.

She knew Yesenia must have been panicking, worried that the Zamora Group would dismiss Wonder Group as beneath their notice, leading her to grasp at straws in desperation.

And Lavern? He’d probably keep stringing Yesenia along just to spite her on Shawna’s behalf.

Marina hated being in anyone’s debt and was determined not to let the project fail because of her involvement.

“Decent potential,” Daron replied, clearly reluctant to delve deeper into the discussion.

Determination ignited in Marina’s eyes. “This project isn’t just decent; it’s pivotal for shaping Sicester’s future. I’ve studied Sicester’s development over the years, including its urban planning. The economy has been stagnant for too long, so it’s only natural that whoever’s in power will want to carve out a fresh path, and Wonder Group’s project will undoubtedly catch their attention.”