His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 82

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt**

**Chapter 82**

As dawn broke, Marina found herself standing before the mirror, her expression betraying a sense of unease. Even after painstakingly applying her makeup, the reflection staring back at her revealed eyes that appeared slightly puffy, remnants of restless nights etched into her features. She attempted to remedy the situation once more, but a wave of defeat washed over her. With a resigned sigh, she decided to embrace her natural state, imperfections and all. Meanwhile, downstairs in the dining room, Elnora was already seated, quietly savoring her breakfast.

Marina made her way to the table, sliding into a chair across from Elnora, her voice laced with concern. “Remember, the doctor expects you for an IV at 2 PM today, and chemotherapy is scheduled for tomorrow,” she reminded, her tone firm yet gentle.

Elnora merely nodded, a nonchalant “Mm-hmm” escaping her lips as she continued to eat, seemingly unfazed by the gravity of her situation.

Marina, noticing Elnora’s casual demeanor, leaned in closer, her brow furrowing. “I’ll have your assistant keep me updated,” she insisted, worry gnawing at her insides. The last thing she wanted was for Elnora to become preoccupied and overlook the important appointments looming ahead.

With an eyebrow arched in mild challenge, Elnora replied, “Go ahead.”

After they finished breakfast, Marina accepted a ride from Elnora, the two women making their way toward the Zamora Group headquarters. The distance between the Zamora and Finley Group offices was minimal, a testament to the once-strong alliance between their families. In those days, it was a common jest among the locals that the only asset of real value at the Finley Group was its headquarters building. The day it was sold would mark the end of an era, a sentiment that lingered in the air.

Upon arriving at the Zamora Group HQ, Marina stepped out of the car, her mind racing with thoughts of Elnora’s appointment. She opened her mouth to remind Elnora once more, but before she could utter a word, Elnora dismissed the driver with a wave, signaling that she was done with reminders for the day.

Marina sighed but turned away, entering the Zamora Group building. Perhaps Daron had put in a good word for her, as the receptionist welcomed her with a smile, allowing her passage without any hassle. Daron had personally assured her of a position, so she bypassed the HR department and headed straight up to his office.

As she exited the elevator, Marina was greeted by Daron’s secretary, who recognized her immediately. With a warm smile, she approached. “Ms. Finley, Mr. Zamora is currently in a meeting. Would you like to wait at my desk for a bit?” she suggested, her tone professional yet friendly.

Marina nodded appreciatively. “Sure, that sounds great, thank you,” she replied, grateful for the kindness.

The secretary maintained her poised demeanor. “It’s no trouble at all.”

Daron had instructed his secretary to usher Marina directly into his office upon her arrival, but with Joyce already present, it would be inappropriate to interrupt. Thus, she had no choice but to let Marina wait at her desk for the time being.

With a multitude of tasks to attend to, the secretary ensured Marina was settled before returning to her duties.

Marina sat quietly, the layout of the desk allowing her to remain unnoticed by the incoming colleagues.

“Did you see Ms. Milner just now? She was practically born into privilege. Her aura is something else!” one of them exclaimed, excitement bubbling in their voice.

“Absolutely! She stands out in any crowd. I heard rumors that Mr. Zamora and Ms. Milner are about to get engaged; they’ve been spending a lot of time together lately,” another chimed in, eyes sparkling with intrigue.

“I always wondered what kind of woman could truly complement Mr. Zamora, but now that I’ve seen Ms. Milner, if they marry, I can totally see why,” a third added, admiration evident in their tone.

“As if you’d ever have a chance,” teased another voice, prompting laughter and playful banter among the group.

Suddenly, a hush fell over the office, and the atmosphere shifted as everyone returned to their work, though their eyes couldn’t resist sneaking glances toward Daron’s office door. Marina’s gaze followed suit, curiosity piqued.

Out stepped a woman clad in a sleek black suit, her long, dark hair elegantly styled up, accentuating her graceful neck. Her brown eyes sparkled, and her smile revealed perfectly white teeth, radiating an aura of sophistication and poise. Yet, there was an undeniable distance in her demeanor, a subtle barrier that kept others at bay.

It was Joyce Milner, the eldest daughter of the illustrious Milner family. Her lineage boasted a history steeped in modern royalty, with a mother who was the sole daughter of a founding military leader. With such esteemed parents, Joyce was the epitome of high birth.

‘Kara wasn’t exaggerating,’ Marina thought, her mind racing. If royal titles were still in vogue, Joyce would undoubtedly be a princess. She quickly averted her gaze, feeling the weight of her own reality.

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