His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 50

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 50**

Ben had spent his formative years teetering on the precipice of chaos, his hands stained with the remnants of his past. His keen, piercing gaze swept across the scene before him, taking in the bodies sprawled on the floor, each one a testament to the storm that had just passed.

The atmosphere was so still that it felt as if time itself had paused; even the smallest sound—a pin dropping—would have echoed like a thunderclap.

His loyal men swiftly took control of the situation, attending to those incapacitated on the ground, their movements precise and practiced.

Meanwhile, Marina maintained her composure, guiding Daron out of the room with a steady hand.

As Garret made his way out, he paused thoughtfully, ensuring the door was firmly closed behind Ben, a silent gesture of solidarity.

Once they were safely outside, Marina exhaled deeply, the weight of tension lifting from her shoulders.

Daron stood beside her, his eyes flickering down to her slightly ashen complexion, a teasing lilt creeping into his voice. “So, you had this all planned out, didn’t you?”

Marina pressed her lips together, a small nod affirming his question.

“Yeah, triple insurance,” she replied, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions roiling within her.

Before she had even reached out to Daron, she had made contact with Ben, her mind racing with the implications of what was at stake.

Though she had met Hyman’s wife in passing, she had never crossed paths with Ben himself. Whispers had painted him as a wild card, unpredictable and dangerous, and she couldn’t shake the apprehension that after three long years, he might still be haunted by the shadows of their shared past.

For a father who cherished his daughter above all else, dredging up those old wounds could feel like pouring salt into an open sore. To complicate matters, the puppeteer behind this entire charade was none other than Hyman himself.

This was the first layer of her defense.

She had also briefed Yesenia about the blackmail attempt and the ominous meeting at Maple Retreat, hoping that if she couldn’t reach her, Yesenia would instinctively alert the authorities. That was her second line of protection.

Her third line was Daron, the one she felt least certain would act decisively when the moment called for it.

To her astonishment, he had arrived almost immediately, having already scouted the hotel, ensuring that she wouldn’t have to endure even a moment of humiliation or danger.

She had never intended to place herself in jeopardy.

But the thought that they might possess incriminating evidence capable of dismantling Ross Group sent chills down her spine.

If Daron’s shares became worthless, she would be branded a fraud.

He would undoubtedly shift the blame onto her, and like a vengeful storm, he would unleash his fury on the Finley Group.

The Finley Group couldn’t withstand another blow.

No matter the cost, she had to unravel the truth behind the chaos.

With the immediate crisis averted, she laid out her three layers of contingency plans to Daron, her voice steady and clear.

Marina’s expression softened into a gentle smile, her eyes reflecting warmth as she regarded him. She wanted to demonstrate to Daron that she was resourceful, quick-thinking, and always prepared to tackle challenges head-on.

Someone like her could be an invaluable partner.

She hoped that this display of competence would finally make him recognize her capabilities. Perhaps, when she returned to the Finley Group, there would be an opportunity for them to sit down together and explore the potential of collaboration.

Yet, the praise she longed to hear remained elusive.

Instead, she saw the shadows deepen in Daron’s eyes, his expression shifting into something more serious.

“Looks like I really underestimated you,” he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of incredulity.

Marina felt a sharp pang at his words, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

What she had expected to be a compliment had morphed into a backhanded jab.

Despite the unexpected sting, she steadied herself and offered him a faint, grateful smile.

“Thanks for coming through for me, Daron. It truly means a lot,” she said, her sincerity evident.

Daron’s gaze locked onto hers, intense and unwavering.

“Did you honestly think I wouldn’t come for you?” he queried, his voice a mixture of disbelief and concern.

She nodded, unable to mask the truth.

“Yeah,” she confessed, the weight of her vulnerability hanging in the air.

After all, all she had conveyed to Daron was that someone claimed to possess criminal evidence against Ross Group and wished to meet her at Maple Retreat. If that evidence turned out to be legitimate, she was prepared to relinquish the shares back to him.

Perhaps it was the recent instances where Daron had put her in her place that had made her wary.

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