His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 58

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt**

**Chapter 58**

Lavern’s gaze was fixated on Hyman sprawled on the floor, surrounded by a few other men who were groaning in agony. His brows knitted together, his eyes ablaze with a fury that felt almost palpable in the air around him.

The mere thought of Hyman summoning these men to inflict harm on Marina ignited a fire within Lavern that was impossible to contain.

‘How could he dare to do this?’ Lavern seethed inwardly, his heart pounding with indignation.

“Hyman, you’re courting death!” he bellowed, his voice echoing through the room, thick with tension.

With a swift and furious stride, Lavern advanced upon Hyman, his foot crashing into Hyman’s solar plexus with a force that left the man gasping for breath, his body writhing in pain.

Hyman’s inability to scream was a testament to the sheer intensity of the blow; he was left teetering on the brink of unconsciousness, the world around him fading into a blur.

The members of the Ross family observed the unfolding chaos, their expressions grim as they realized that this confrontation was far from over.

To protect Lavern’s reputation and ensure the future of the Ross Group remained intact, they began ushering the guests out of the venue, each of them keenly aware that witnessing the remaining drama could be detrimental.

Even as the guests shuffled towards the exits, their curiosity was palpable; they were reluctant to abandon the spectacle unfolding before them, yet none wished to be caught lingering in the midst of such turmoil.

Amidst the chaos, Shawna and Carrie attempted to make a hasty escape, but Ben’s men intercepted them, cutting off any chance of retreat before they could get far.

A flicker of mockery danced in Marina’s eyes as she approached Ben, extending her hand in a gesture that was both defiant and sardonic.

“Thank you for the generous gift, Mr. Cooper. I truly appreciated it,” Marina said, her words laced with a sweetness that belied their sharpness.

Ben grasped her hand, a smirk playing on his lips.

“No, Ms. Finley, the gratitude is all mine,” he replied, his tone dripping with insincerity.

Marina’s smile faded as her gaze fell upon Hyman, who lay crumpled on the floor, his eyes filled with pain. The chill in her expression was unmistakable, devoid of any warmth.

“Mr. Hess, how does it feel to receive a taste of your own medicine from the very men you summoned?” Marina taunted, her voice heavy with sarcasm, relishing the moment.

Hyman, curled in agony, could not muster a response, his body betraying him in his time of need.

Marina’s attention shifted from Hyman to Shawna and Carrie, who stood nearby, their faces a mask of guilt as they struggled to meet her gaze.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of Marina’s lips, but the pressure she radiated was palpable, suffocating.

“Ms. Thornton, I imagine today’s events will be etched in your memory for quite some time,” Marina said coldly, her voice slicing through the tension like a knife.

“Consider yourself fortunate that you’re pregnant. Otherwise, you would have been the one dragged into those beds last night,” she added, her words sharp and unforgiving.

Shawna recoiled, terror etched across her features.

“It wasn’t me, I swear! I didn’t do anything! Carrie was the one who thought Lavern was too invested in you, and she wanted to teach you a lesson, to make sure you couldn’t hold your head high in front of him!” Shawna stammered, desperation spilling from her lips as she fought to exonerate herself.

In a fit of rage and humiliation, Carrie slapped Shawna hard across the face, her anger boiling over.

“Don’t feed me that nonsense! You were the one who stirred the pot, the one who suggested calling Hyman!” Carrie retorted, her voice rising in fury.

“Don’t you dare try to pin all the blame on me!” she shouted, her indignation palpable.

Shawna was no match for Carrie’s ferocity; she clutched her cheek, tears streaming down her face, her sobs echoing in the charged atmosphere.

“I didn’t do it!” she cried, her voice quivering with despair.

She shook her head repeatedly, looking utterly pitiful, like a delicate flower crushed underfoot.

Carrie, always quick to anger, saw Shawna’s act of helplessness as an affront. She didn’t care that Shawna was pregnant with Lavern’s child; her rage took precedence, and she lunged at Shawna, launching into a full-blown fight.

Marina observed the spectacle with a faint smile, a sense of satisfaction washing over her.

‘This is perfect for me,’ she thought, a smirk playing on her lips. ‘It saves me the trouble of getting my own hands dirty!’

Shawna was merely a novice in the harsh realities of life, and she stood no chance against Carrie, a woman seasoned by conflict.

Lavern remained still, his expression one of icy indifference as he watched Carrie dominate Shawna, the scene unfolding like a well-rehearsed play.

He approached Marina, his eyes clouded with guilt and sorrow, murmuring an apology that felt heavy on his tongue.

“Marina, I let myself be manipulated by them last night. I was blackout drunk and completely incapacitated. I never imagined they would actually conspire against you, and I failed to be there when you needed me the most. I am truly sorry,” Lavern confessed, the weight of regret heavy in his voice.

Marina shot him a frosty, mocking smile, her eyes glinting with disdain.

“Sorry? Is that all you have to say now? Isn’t it a bit late for apologies?” she replied, her tone icy and unyielding.

Lavern’s expression hardened, regret flickering in his eyes like a candle in the wind.

He buried his anxiety deep within, masking it with a dark façade.

“Come here,” Lavern commanded, his voice low and possessive.

Marina stood her ground, her eyes blazing with undisguised contempt.

‘After everything that’s transpired, he genuinely believes I would still stand by his side?’ Marina sneered inwardly, her thoughts swirling with disbelief.

‘Who gave him the audacity to be so delusional?’ she thought, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

At that moment, some of the Ross family members finally managed to pry Carrie off Shawna, who rushed to Lavern, desperation written all over her face.

“Lavern, Carrie has lost her mind! Please help me! Remember, I’m carrying your child!” Shawna cried, her voice trembling, fear evident in her eyes.

She pressed herself against him, clinging to his waist as if he were her only refuge from the storm of chaos surrounding them.

Lavern’s eyes flared with anger as he shoved Shawna away, disgust etched across his features.

Marina observed the scene with an icy gaze, unable to resist throwing out a “helpful” reminder, her tone laced with sarcasm.

“She’s still got your child in her belly, you know. Don’t get too rough, or you might end up losing your own baby,” she said, her voice cold and mocking.

Lavern froze, his eyes locking onto Marina’s, desperation etched on his face as the weight of her words settled in.

“Marina, I’ll ensure she gets rid of that child. The only person who will ever bear my child is you. I won’t allow anyone else to exist who could threaten our children’s inheritance,” Lavern declared urgently, his voice trembling with possessiveness.

The way he referred to the baby in Shawna’s belly as a “thing” drained the color from her face almost instantly.

Seizing the moment, Lavern shoved her away without a second thought.

Shawna collapsed to the floor, clutching her belly as a wave of pain surged through her.

“Lavern, my stomach hurts so much!” she cried, her voice quaking with genuine distress.

This time, her pain was real, but no one seemed to care.

As Marina noticed the officers entering the room, she turned to Lavern, her voice icy and resolute, severing any lingering hope.

“From this moment on, I wish for you and me to never cross paths again,” she declared, her words cold and final, leaving no room for interpretation.