Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3491

The streetlamps hidden among the blossoming trees cast a dim, chilly glow that reflected in Marina's icy eyes.

Marina's pink lips pressed into a tight line as she glared at Shania. "What gives you the right to scream at me? Get your head straight before you speak to me!"

"If you like Carson, just go after him. Using me as a shield and claiming it's for my own good—you're even more manipulative than that girl from earlier!"

"Listen to me clearly. I don't like Carson, so I couldn't care less who he's with. Stop bothering me!"

With that, Marina turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Shania staring after her in sheer disbelief.

Only when Marina was out of sight did Shania's tears finally fall. Having grown up spoiled, she had never suffered such humiliation.

Marina had actually slapped her!

That woman couldn't even keep her own fiancé in line, yet she dared to lay a hand on her!

Shania choked back a sob, furiously intending to return to the banquet hall to find Carson so he could stand up for her. But as soon as she turned around, she spotted his tall, lean figure standing in the shadows of the trees. His dark eyes were bottomless and unreadable.

Shania took a couple of steps forward, her voice thick with grievance. "Carson!"

A cold, mocking smirk tugged at the corners of Carson's lips. "Does it hurt?"

"Yes!" Shania sobbed.

"Serves you right."

His voice was completely devoid of warmth, sending a chill straight to her bones. "Don't mess with her again. If you do, you're just asking for a beating."

Shania froze. Carson usually had a decent temper, and this sudden severity terrified her.

"You're old enough. I'll have my dad find you a boyfriend, or you can just pack up and move back to B City," Carson said flatly.

Panic surged through Shania, and her tears flowed harder. "I won't go back! I already found a job here. I'll focus on my work and I promise I won't provoke Marina ever again."

"Mhm," Carson hummed dismissively, brushing past her and walking away.

*

Carson slouched back, a lazy smile on his lips. "So, is the person you do want to see out here?"

Marina blinked, momentarily stunned. Before she could react, his strong arm wrapped around her waist. With effortless strength, he hauled her right onto his lap. She let out a startled gasp.

Carson stared at her with dark, predatory eyes. "Don't scream. I can't take it."

Straddling his lap, Marina was rendered speechless by his blunt words. Her lips parted slightly, a deep flush creeping across her cheeks as she glared at him. "Carson—"

"Shh," he whispered, blinking at her. "It's such a nice setting. Don't ruin the mood."

Marina understood the underlying message: Don't let Kai know we're fighting.

With his hand firmly clamping down on her waist, their position was incredibly intimate. She gritted her teeth and lowered her voice. "I didn't know he was here. I'll just go back inside, okay?"

"Not okay." His dark eyes locked onto hers unblinkingly. His lips parted as he murmured, "Kiss me."

Marina's eyes widened in shock.