His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 6

**Winds Carry Lost Promises**

The auction suites were cleverly designed, their walls lined with sleek sliding panels that could be effortlessly moved aside, creating a fluid space for mingling and connection.

Inside, the atmosphere crackled with a palpable energy, as the attendees were a mix of the incredibly wealthy and the undeniably influential. Yet, among the sea of elite figures, there were also those who had forked over a small fortune just for the chance to brush shoulders with the upper crust.

The hosts, eager to facilitate these high-stakes interactions, stood ready. If both parties were inclined to engage, all it took was a simple unlocking of the panel and a gentle push to create a passage between worlds.

After an extended moment of awkward silence, a sharp knock echoed from the adjoining suite, breaking the tension.

Marina, however, had no intention of acknowledging the interruption.

But Kara, ever the bold one, rose from her seat, flipped the lock with a swift motion, and nudged the panel open just enough to peek through the crack.

Marina arched an eyebrow, curiosity piqued, as she leaned in slightly to catch a glimpse of Lavern standing there, his piercing gaze fixed on her with an intensity that felt almost tangible.

Annoyance danced across his features, his entire demeanor radiating a stormy energy that suggested he was not in a forgiving mood.

Maintaining her composure, Marina regarded him with an air of indifference, treating him as if he were merely a stranger passing by. She casually averted her gaze and turned back to Kara. “Aren’t you going to sit down and check out the auction pieces?”

Kara’s face lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’m dying to find out what kind of junk is so irresistible that people are scrambling over it!”

The bond between Kara and Marina was as strong as ever, forged in the fires of childhood mischief. But a few years back, when Kara discovered that Marina had abandoned her plans to relocate back to Vrufield because of Lavern, she had been furious, choosing to cut off all communication.

Eventually, they had patched things up, but Kara had no desire to face Lavern again. This would be their first encounter since their fallout.

Marina felt a rush of emotions, caught off guard by the unexpected tension.

Kara’s jab had inadvertently pulled her into the fray.

Lavern’s expression soured further, his intense gaze boring into Marina as he took a step forward, clearly intent on crossing the threshold.

With a frosty smirk, Kara extended her arm, blocking his path, and her bodyguards emerged from the dim corners of the suite to stand sentinel at her side. “This is my private suite, not some free-for-all where any riffraff can just waltz in.”

Lavern’s face tightened, his focus unwavering as he addressed Marina. “Marina, come here.”

A subtle smile played on Marina’s lips as she responded coolly, “If I walk over there, your fragile little fling might not shine so brightly. I wouldn’t dream of raining on your parade.”

At that moment, Shawna, Lavern’s companion, blanched, her posture becoming rigid with discomfort.

Lavern, too, was struggling to maintain his composure, his jaw clenched as he shot a hard glare at Marina.

Kara gestured for her guards to slide the panel shut, but Lavern effortlessly held it back with one hand, refusing to let it close.

Tension thickened the air around them, a storm brewing just beneath the surface.

He fixed Marina with a penetrating look. “You’re really not coming over?” The warning in his voice was unmistakable, a clear sign that his temper was on the verge of boiling over.

Marina nodded firmly, her resolve unshakable. “Absolutely certain.”

Chapter 6

In the past, she had twisted herself into knots to appease him, to navigate his volatile moods, but that had gradually eroded the connection they once shared. Now, she found herself indifferent; if he were to explode with rage right there, she wouldn’t flinch.

“Mrs. Ross, we were just having a bit of fun. Mr. Ross is marrying you soon, there’s no way he’d…” The same guy who had been pestering Lavern for advice on managing two women now scrambled to cover for him, his voice trailing off nervously.

Kara jumped in before he could finish his thought. “Shut it and stop talking nonsense. Marina here is still single, so don’t drag her down by tying yourself to a lowlife.”

Her voice rang out loud enough that the nearby suites fell silent, the tension palpable.

Lavern’s expression froze, but as he took in Kara’s imposing security detail, he chose to remain silent, the threat of confrontation hanging in the air.

He had noticed the badges on those guards immediately; they were from the nation’s top-tier protection agency. Hiring them would have cost a fortune, something only old-money families could afford.

He wondered to himself, “Isn’t Marina from a regular background, grinding her way up with Lavern? How is she connected to someone this powerful? And they seem to be quite chummy.”

The rest of the group, who had been gearing up to intervene, wisely fell silent.

Shawna rose from her seat, her eyes red and puffy, a picture of deep humiliation.

“Mr. Ross, please don’t fight with Marina because of me; it just gives people ammunition to mock us. This is all my fault: I never should have come. I’ll leave right now.”

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