His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 63

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

**Chapter 63**

“Daron,” Marina uttered, her voice barely rising above a whisper, the words escaping her lips as though they bore the weight of a thousand unspoken fears. Her gaze fell to the floor, a gesture that spoke volumes of her humility and vulnerability in this moment.

Daron, seated with an air of casual indifference, felt a slight twitch in his hand resting on his leg. His dark eyes, however, remained fixed on her, their depths concealing an inscrutable mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

“Can you offer me some guidance? How can the Finley Group survive this storm that threatens to engulf us?” Marina asked, her heart pounding as she laid her proposition bare. “If you can help us navigate through this chaos, I’m willing to part with 10% of our profits for the next five years.” The fragility in her tone was palpable, her lashes fluttering as she diverted her gaze, unable to bear the intensity of his scrutiny.

Before her return to Vrufield, Marina had been blissfully ignorant of the precarious situation that enveloped the Finley Group. She had always believed that Elnora was merely a victim of the cunning machinations of the old-timer executives, who had stifled her sister’s potential to shine and steer the company toward a prosperous future. But now, the truth revealed itself in stark clarity—it was far more complicated than she had ever imagined.

Elnora was ensnared in a relentless web of chaos, and the thought of her sister bearing such an unbearable burden in silence made Marina’s heart ache with empathy. Elnora had been the chosen heir, meticulously groomed by their grandfather to inherit the family legacy. Even Daron’s grandfather, a figure held in high esteem within the Zamora family, had often proclaimed her destined for greatness.

Marina found herself bewildered, grappling with how Elnora had arrived at this dismal crossroads. The harsh reality was that there had never been a clear path for the Finley Group. If they failed to navigate this crisis, Elnora would be shackled with insurmountable debt, a weight that could crush her spirit for a lifetime.

All the ambitious plans Marina had concocted during her time in Sicester now felt like mere flights of fancy, drifting away like leaves on a gusty autumn wind. There seemed no viable way for any of them to benefit the Finley Group anymore.

In uttering his name with that familiar intimacy, she sought to evoke memories of the bond that had once intertwined the Finley and Zamora families. She longed for Daron, with his wealth of experience and undeniable authority, to offer some insight, to extend a lifeline to the Finley family in their time of need.

Yet, beneath her humble plea lay a deep-seated resentment; she despised the notion of lowering her head before Daron. Even after the fracture of their relationship, she wished to retain a semblance of dignity in his presence. But she was the one who had initially driven a wedge between their families, her past decisions casting long shadows over the present.

After all the struggles she had faced in building the Ross Group, she had encountered countless obstacles. At this juncture, pride felt like an extravagant luxury she could no longer afford. The bold declarations she once made now echoed painfully in her mind, reminders of a time when she felt invincible, now stinging her conscience as she bowed her head in humility.

This wasn’t the first time Daron had put her in her place, and she was acutely aware it wouldn’t be the last. She steeled herself for whatever verbal onslaught he was preparing to unleash, fully expecting him to strike at her vulnerabilities with that sharp tongue of his.

Daron remained silent beside her, and as the seconds ticked by, Marina felt her cheeks drain of color, her complexion paling with each passing moment. Is he remaining quiet because the Finley family is truly beyond redemption? Her heart sank at the thought.

Daron observed her as her color faded, his voice adopting a deep, calculating tone. “I’m not one to kick someone when they’re down. You’re offering me 10% of the Finley Group’s profits. Aren’t you concerned your sister will have your head for that?” he quipped, a hint of amusement flickering in his dark eyes.

Marina shot back quickly, “Ultimately, it’s my decision to make; I have the final say regarding that 10%.” Her voice was firm, a spark of defiance igniting within her.

Daron arched an eyebrow, a smirk dancing on his lips. “So, if the Finley Group doesn’t earn a single penny in the next five years, how do you plan to repay this favor?” His tone was teasing, yet his words held an underlying seriousness.

Marina shrugged, a wave of defeat washing over her. “I suppose I’ll just have to work for you for free then.” The admission slipped out, tinged with resignation.

Daron didn’t respond immediately. He simply watched her in silence, weighing her worth, his expression inscrutable. Sensing his scrutiny, Marina straightened her posture, her demeanor shifting to one of seriousness.

Daron chuckled softly, amusement flickering in his gaze as he observed her transformation into a businesslike figure. “Since you’ve come to me for assistance, I’ll need to lay down a few terms. That wouldn’t be exploiting your predicament, would it?” he suggested, his tone teasing.

Marina shook her head vigorously. “How could that be considered exploitation? Whatever the terms may be, as long as you’re willing to help, Mr. Zamora, it’s a lifeline for the Finley family,” she replied earnestly, her eyes pleading for understanding.

With the Finleys in such dire straits, if even the Zamoras couldn’t pull them from this quagmire, it would truly be the end of the line. Marina looked at Daron with a mix of hope and desperation, silently imploring him for a solution.

“So, Mr. Zamora, what do you want in return?” she queried, urgency lacing her voice as she leaned forward, eager for his response.

Daron regarded her, his expression serious and contemplative. “I haven’t made up my mind yet,” he replied, his tone deliberately neutral, leaving her hanging in uncertainty.

Marina pressed him further, “Could you perhaps think a little faster?”

Daron raised an eyebrow at her impatience, responding in a leisurely, almost mocking tone, savoring the moment. “How about you have a chat with your sister first and see if she can settle what the Finleys owe the Zamoras?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify