His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 8

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

Kara leaned in, a teasing smile dancing on her lips as she scrutinized Shawna’s delicate, pallid face. “Women like Ms. Thornton are a rare gem in my uncle’s circle—a real premium catch,” she remarked, her voice laced with playful mockery.

Kara’s uncle had earned quite the reputation as a notorious playboy in Vrufield, and it was no secret that he enjoyed the company of beautiful women.

Shawna flinched, shrinking back in fear behind Lavern, her cheeks glistening with silent tears. Her eyes were puffy and red, betraying the emotional turmoil she was enduring.

In a protective gesture, Lavern stepped in front of her, his arm raised as if to shield her from the harshness of the world. His gaze was icy and sharp, a stark contrast to the lighthearted banter that surrounded them. “Marina! That’s crossing the line! When did you become someone who preys on the vulnerable?” he demanded, his voice steady but filled with indignation.

Marina, unfazed, responded with a calm demeanor. “I’ve always been this way. Isn’t that how the Ross Group climbed to the top? My cutthroat tactics bulldozed every rival in our path,” she replied, a smirk playing on her lips.

Lavern’s expression hardened, his face turning to stone as he processed her words.

Marina continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Mr. Ross, as the one who reaped all the benefits, what gives you the right to judge me? Are you playing the hero to save the damsel in distress, or are you just going soft for a pretty face?”

Shawna, feeling the weight of the confrontation, gently tugged at Lavern’s sleeve. “Mr. Ross, please don’t fight with Marina because of me. I wouldn’t want that,” she implored, her voice barely above a whisper.

As soon as Shawna spoke, the men Lavern had brought along quickly jumped in to lighten the mood, eager to diffuse the tension that had thickened like fog in the air.

“Ms. Finley, we’re just guys messing around like we always do. Don’t get the wrong idea about Mr. Ross. There’s nothing between him and Ms. Thornton,” one of them chimed in, a grin plastered across his face.

The camaraderie among men was palpable, their support for one another unwavering and instinctive.

“Exactly! If there was anything between them, Mr. Ross wouldn’t have the guts to bring Ms. Thornton right here in front of you,” another added, laughter bubbling up among the group.

But the sleazy, boot-licking grins on their faces made Marina’s interest evaporate in an instant.

A man’s friends often revealed his true character, and this couldn’t have been more accurate in this case.

In a heartbeat, Marina felt her motivation to argue with Lavern dissipate.

All those carefully rehearsed lines she had prepared, the burning desire to expose Shawna’s true intentions; they vanished as if swept away by an unseen wind.

She thought to herself, ‘Let them pair off for good; I’ll thrive on my own. That works just fine for me!’

With a dismissive glance past Lavern and Shawna, her gaze landed on the assistant lurking in the corner. “Bring out tonight’s auction items for me,” she ordered, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

If seven years of love couldn’t keep him, she wouldn’t hesitate to claim every bit of the assets she was owed.

The assistant hesitated, casting a glance at Lavern. After all, he was now Lavern’s assistant and needed his approval before making a move.

Lavern dipped his chin slightly, granting permission, and only then did the assistant turn to head into the private room, instructing the staff to deliver the items to Marina. “Ms. Finley, it’s all here,” he announced, reappearing with a sense of urgency.

Marina nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips, before turning to Lavern with a glint of challenge in her eyes. “These are all willingly gifted by you, right, Mr. Ross?”

Lavern’s expression darkened, irritation flickering across his features at her formal, distant tone. “What’s mine is yours. If you want it, what’s stopping you from taking anything?”

Marina replied evenly, “The assets have been clearly divided; I just need to ensure everything is in order. I wouldn’t want some little tantrum sparking your rage over a beauty, forcing me to hand these back.”

Lavern’s look turned stormy, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. “Enough! They’re yours, willingly. Take them and leave,” he snapped.

Marina offered a casual thanks, waving for the staff to load everything into her car, her demeanor unruffled.

Beside Lavern, Shawna stood quietly, her gaze fixated on a single piece—the emerald bracelet—her jaw clenched tightly as she bit down hard.

Marina replied dryly, “Ms. Thornton must be quite the operator.”

Lavern’s expression darkened, frustration flaring in his eyes. “Marina, must you spike every sentence with barbs?”

Marina shot back, “What? I can’t even give her credit? A girl fresh out of school, already so essential that the whole project grinds to a halt without her? Honestly, I’m outclassed here.”

Lavern furrowed his brow, struggling to rein in his mounting frustration with the last shreds of his patience. “She’s a key talent the partners are investing in.”

Marina uttered a bland “Oh,” her eyes unfocused, “So, what are you doing here?”

Lavern moved closer, wrapping an arm around her waist and whispering tenderly, “You slipped away without a word and holed up at Alyssa’s. I thought you might still be mad, so I came to find you.”

Marina hadn’t overlooked his sidelong glance at the brocade box, but she couldn’t muster the energy to confront him about it.

She peeled his hand from her waist and asked coolly, “You headed back to the villa?”

Lavern murmured an affirmative “Yeah,” drawing her in again. When she squirmed, he tightened his grip, holding her possessively against him, his tone a deep murmur. “Marina, hold still. Just let me hug you for a minute.”

The gap in their physical strength was too wide; Marina couldn’t wriggle free and reluctantly surrendered to his embrace.

As he noted her compliance, Lavern’s lips quirked into a smile. He held her a little longer, then released her and clasped her hand. “Come on, let’s go home together.”

Marina remained rooted to the spot, simply watching him in silence, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

He’d already swung by the villa and still hadn’t realized that everything had been stripped bare; Shawna had truly commandeered his full attention.

She thought to herself, ‘Home? That isn’t my home anymore. How could I ever settle down with a man whose affections have strayed?’