His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 71

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 71**
**58**
**E55 Vouchers**

Marina had thought that after Daron devoured her lunch, he might at least show her a modicum of respect and agree to meet her, if only to reminisce about the past.

Yet, as she sat there, the reception hall gradually emptied, and not a single word from Daron came through, leaving her feeling abandoned.

The girl seated beside her, sensing the weight of the silence, stood up and said softly, “Come on, let’s head out. You can always try again tomorrow.”

Marina forced a smile that barely masked her disappointment. “I think I’ll wait just a little longer.”

With a gentle sigh, the girl shook her head in resignation. “If you don’t leave soon, the front desk will have to escort us out.”

Marina remained resolute, her heart clinging to hope. The girl, seeing her determination, didn’t push further and simply walked away.

Soon enough, Marina found herself alone in the vast emptiness of the reception hall.

Her gaze was fixated on the sleek doors of the CEO’s private elevator, unwilling to let her guard down for even a moment.

Inside her mind, thoughts raced like wildfire.

She couldn’t afford to sit idly by, waiting for a message that might never come.

No, she had to present her unwavering loyalty in a way that would be impossible to ignore.

With a sudden burst of determination, she pulled out her phone, scrolled through her contacts, and began drafting a meticulous game plan for the Zamora Group’s expansion in Sicester. She outlined major milestones for each project, her fingers flying across the screen.

If Daron was unwilling to offer her any special treatment, she would have to demonstrate her worth through her actions.

Having lived in Sicester for a decade and run her own business for seven years, she knew the local landscape as intimately as she knew her own reflection.

If Daron hoped to establish a reserve factory for the Zamora Group in Sicester, she could pinpoint the most strategic location and devise a plan that would guarantee swift profits.

These ideas had been simmering in her mind for ages, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed as Ross Group grew more stable.

But Shawna had thrown a wrench into her plans, complicating everything.

Now, she could simply transfer those strategies over to the Zamora Group’s Sicester branch without missing a beat.

Marina meticulously organized her documents, her heart pounding with a mix of hope and anxiety as she sent them off.

But on the other end, the message was read and promptly ignored.

The sight of that solitary “Read” notification felt like a punch to the gut. In frustration, she quickly typed another message to Daron.

**17:01 Wed, Dec 17 M**

**Chapter 71**
**A 58**
**55 vouchers**

[Mr. Zamora, allow me to join the Zamora Group. Give me just one year, and I’ll turn all your Sicester plans into reality. I’m the only one who can deliver results like this.]

Marina felt as though she was laying all her cards on the table, her heart racing.

To her surprise, Daron actually replied.

[Big talk. Are you suggesting none of my star players can measure up to you?]

Seeing his response, Marina’s fingers danced over the keyboard.

[I know you have plenty of top talent on your team. I’m not dismissing their skills, but when it comes to Sicester, thousands of miles from home, they’ll need a local insider like me to back them up.]

For a colossal entity like the Zamora Group, time equated to money.

If she could help Daron achieve the results he desired in record time, he would have the opportunity to pursue larger ventures elsewhere.

At first, the presence of so many elite business figures around Daron had made her feel like an outsider. But she quickly reminded herself that Sicester was her territory, not Vrufield.

She believed Daron had no valid reason to turn her down.

After all, he wouldn’t have to lift a finger; he could reap the benefits without any effort on his part.

Plus, with her sister’s strategic maneuvering, Finley Group could seize this opportunity to offload some land and alleviate their debt issues.

Yet, once again, Daron left her hanging.

Marina stared at her phone, her heart sinking deeper with each passing moment.

It felt as if someone had drained the life from her, leaving her a mere shell, running on empty.

This waiting game was pure torture.

The receptionist had yet to approach her, so Marina let herself slump over the table, her eyes glued to the CEO’s private elevator. As time passed, her eyelids grew heavy, and she succumbed to sleep.

A barely-there smirk played at the corners of his mouth, conveying the message that she was merely wasting his time, as if to say, “Why don’t you just go home and rest instead of lingering here?”

Marina struggled to compose herself, desperate to appear presentable in front of him.

But as she shifted, a sharp pain shot through her neck, causing her to gasp in discomfort, momentarily forgetting her embarrassment. “Mr. Zamora, please help me! My neck feels completely wrecked; I can’t move!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with desperation.

Daron paused, noticing the pallor of her face. She truly looked miserable. His expression shifted, and he quickly moved to steady her.

As he assisted her, Marina felt a jolt of pain radiate through her neck, so intense it nearly made her cry out.

**17:02 Wed, Dec 17 M…**

**Chapter 71**

In the end, Daron took Marina to the hospital.

**58**
**65 vouchers**

Throughout the ordeal, Daron wore an expression of irritation, standing silently as the doctor fitted Marina with a neck brace. He remained stoic and brooding, absorbing the doctor’s words without comment.

“She caught a chill, resulting in muscle cramps. Frequent stiff necks can also signal early cervical spine issues. She needs to be mindful of her sleeping posture, and the person sharing her bed should help her correct it,” the doctor added with a lighthearted tone.

Marina was about to protest that Daron was not her partner, but he simply nodded, his face impassive, accepting the doctor’s words without a hint of disagreement.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she lowered her gaze, acutely aware of the awkwardness of the situation.

The slightest movement tugged at her neck, causing her to grimace and grit her teeth against the pain.

Daron caught the motion from the corner of his eye, his frown deepening as he stepped closer to help lift her head.

“You really don’t act like someone with an education,” Daron remarked, his tone icy.

Though his words were sharp, his touch was unexpectedly gentle as he assisted her.

Marina blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Daron replied bluntly, “Stupid.”

Marina was left speechless, unable to refute his claim. What could she possibly say in response?