His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 7

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 7**

The stall was efficient, swiftly bringing over a sleek card reader so Marina could complete her payment, and they promptly delivered the item right there.

She had just finished signing her name when her gaze snapped back to the stage, drawn by the excitement of the next lot.

What the auctioneer was presenting—a stunning gemstone necklace—turned out to be none other than Kathy’s cherished heirloom.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Marina lifted her paddle high, ready to stake her claim.

This time, Lavern was relentless. After a fierce volley of bids, he pushed the price to an astonishingly high figure that left everyone in the room buzzing with disbelief.

Soft whispers danced around the auction hall, a low hum of speculation and surprise.

Marina, feeling the weight of the moment, dropped her hand in defeat, conceding the battle. She stood up and rapped on the dividing panel that separated her suite from the neighboring one, hoping for a response.

But no one slid it open.

Just moments later, a new bidder entered the fray, and the tension in the room thickened. Round after round, the price soared well beyond the actual worth of the piece.

Lavern had made up his mind to outbid everyone, no matter the cost, determined to remain the highest bidder and refusing to bow out.

The energy in the auction hall surged, electrifying the atmosphere to a fever pitch.

In the end, Lavern secured the necklace for an eye-watering 10 million dollars, while its true value was a mere 700 thousand.

Kara scoffed, disbelief etched across her features. “Is he out of his damn mind?”

Marina rubbed her temples, feeling any enthusiasm she had for the remaining lots evaporate into thin air. “That’s my mom’s keepsake. I have to go over there.”

Kara immediately rose from her seat. “I’m coming with you.”

Marina shook her head firmly. “No, I’ve got this.”

As she stepped out of her suite, the timing was uncanny; the doors to the adjacent suites swung open simultaneously.

From her left, an entourage emerged, led by a man clad in a deep black shirt. The soft amber lights of the hall danced over him, illuminating his broad shoulders and trim waist, casting an almost regal aura around him.

A cluster of sharply dressed executives trailed behind him like planets orbiting a sun. He moved forward with a subtle, confident smile, each step radiating an effortless charm that captivated those around him.

Marina recognized him instantly—the same man whose car she had accidentally bumped into not long ago.

“Mr. Zamora…” she called out, her voice breaking the silence of the moment.

Daron Zamora acknowledged her with a slight nod as he passed by. “Hello.” His tone was crisp and neutral, revealing nothing of his thoughts or feelings.

A strange mix of emotions welled up inside Marina, a swirling storm of embarrassment, discomfort, and a sense of lost potential.

If fate had played out differently, her life might have taken a different turn. Seven years ago, had she not crossed paths with Lavern, the arrangement between the Finley and Zamora families would have likely led to a wedding between her and Daron.

Yet here was Lavern, the man she had chosen without a second thought, strutting through the auction with another woman on his arm, stirring up drama just moments ago. Daron had been in the suite right next to hers; there was no way he had missed the spectacle.

The humiliation washed over Marina like a wave, relentless and suffocating.

Lavern’s crew quickly dispersed after the bidding war, having received word that Daron was his rival for the necklace.

In a discreet gesture from Lavern, his assistant, clutching the newly acquired prize, approached Daron. “Mr. Zamora, Mr. Ross heard you were interested in this piece and wanted me to pass it along as a gesture of goodwill.”

Spending 10 million dollars just to get in good with Daron? For Ross Group, it was a no-brainer investment.

Lavern had always been astute when it came to weighing risks and rewards.

Daron gave the necklace a quick glance before his gaze dropped to Marina. “Just this kind of trash?”

His words, laced with disdain, flew over the heads of the others in the room but struck Marina like a lightning bolt. Heat flooded her cheeks, mortification washing over her.

He opened his mouth to explain, but Daron and his entourage breezed right past him, leaving Lavern feeling utterly dismissed.

Garret, the ever-chatty one, kept the banter flowing with Daron as they walked away. “If I’d known he’d just gift it to us, I would’ve ramped up the bids a few more rounds to really jack the price.”

Daron tossed back a witty retort. “No need to kick a man when he’s down.”

Garret shot back, “Didn’t seem like you were cutting him any slack when you took the win.”

He thought to himself, *We’re talking about a straight-up 7 million dollar loss here.*

Daron’s smile remained light and airy, unfazed by the implications.

Garret was left bewildered, trying to piece together the unfolding drama.

Lavern froze, his smug confidence evaporating into pure frustration.

He had been completely played, oblivious to the entire scheme, and now he had handed 7 million dollars to Daron, who had toyed with him all along.

Marina stood off to the side, watching in silence, her composed demeanor serving as a subtle reminder of his blunders. She had warned him countless times to steer clear of that crowd, after all.

Taking a steadying breath, his temper frayed yet still intact, he extended an olive branch. “I’ll have my assistant drop off everything I won earlier.”

Marina didn’t flinch. “Hand it all over to me, and what, leave Ms. Thornton twiddling her thumbs after warming the bench all night?”

Right on cue, Shawna stepped forward, her expression toward Marina tinged with a hint of fear. “Marina, those lots were always intended for you by Mr. Ross. I don’t need a thing; it’s no big deal.”

Marina let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Ah, so Ms. Thornton is the picture of selflessness. No surprise these guys are lining up to sing your praises as ‘above all that material stuff.’ Ladies like you, who get played for free and still act thrilled about it, are one in a million. If every side chick followed your lead, the legitimate wives could breathe easier about their fortunes staying put.”

Shawna’s face drained of color, turning ghostly white.

Lavern’s features hardened, his gaze becoming glacial, edged with a biting frost.