Cindy laughed heartily, throwing an arm around Darcy's shoulders. "Come on! Let's celebrate your big win! My treat!" ... In the Maybach on the other side, Zora had been in a foul mood since getting into the car. Zane slowed down and pulled over to the curb. He turned to comfort her. "Don't be upset. This wasn't your fault. You joined the company later. It's normal you weren't aware of some things." Zora's mind, however, wasn't on that. Losing was one thing. She already had a plan and knew exactly who to blame. She was thinking about something else entirely. If Darcy refused to return, how would Zora handle the company's research and development team? A name flashed in her mind.But... could she really bring him back? Zora wasn't confident she could control that man. If he slipped out of control... wouldn't her entire past be exposed? Zane, thinking she was still brooding, felt a pang of sympathy. "You've been working too hard lately. Let me take you home to rest properly." "Alright," Zora replied. Arriving home, Susan was surprised. "Isn't this a workday? Why are you back?" Seeing John at the dining table, Zora didn't explain. She headed straight for the second-floor study. Susan immediately understood her daughter needed to talk. She put down her fork and hurried upstairs. "What's wrong, dear?" Susan asked, closing the study door behind her. Zora sat at the desk, then told her mother about the mess she was in. Her mother was the only person she trusted completely. After listening, Susan smiled, "Oh, is that all? Is it worth skipping lunch over?" Zora's eyes lit up. "Mom, do you have a plan?" "Manipulating a poor student like Lucian? There are plenty of ways. The most effective one is to target his weak spot." "Mom, stop teasing and tell me," Zora urged. Susan tapped her daughter's forehead. "Think. Who does Lucian care about the most?" Zora thought for a moment. "His family. He has a younger sister, still in school back in their hometown." "There you go. Have someone get close to his sister..." Susan said, raising an eyebrow meaningfully. Zora instantly understood. "Of course! How did I not think of that? Thank you, Mom!" She planted several kisses on Susan's cheeks, then happily went downstairs for lunch. Seeing the two so cheerful, John asked curiously, "What's got you two so happy?" Zora simply said, "Nothing, John." Susan frowned. "Mind your own business. Don't pry into women's affairs." John, rebuffed, looked down and continued eating his meal in silence. ... That afternoon, Zora returned to the office as usual. Zane, emerging from a meeting, was surprised. "Shouldn't you be resting more?" Zora smiled, "I'm fine now. Actually, there are two things I'd like to discuss with you." Zane opened his office door. "Come in." He studied her expression, confirming she was truly okay, and felt relieved. Zora was stronger than he'd imagined—a true PhD, with top-notch emotional resilience."What's on your mind?" Zane asked. Zora sat down. "I've been thinking. The company needs a Head of R&D. As you know, I'm very busy meeting with clients to discuss ideas, which leaves our internal development progress lagging." She slid a resume across the desk to Zane. "This is Lucian Yorke. He was a fellow student of mine abroad, also a PhD, currently working at one of the largest tech companies overseas. He's very interested in joining SummitCore." Zane examined the resume carefully. It was indeed impressive. Hearing he was Zora's former classmate, Zane made a quick decision. "Good. I trust your judgment." "And the second matter?" he asked. Zora pressed her lips together. In the mere hour or two since lunch, news of their legal defeat had spread through the company. Based on the information Kaia had gathered, many were already questioning her capabilities behind her back. Some even doubted the legitimacy of her doctorate. If she didn't produce a scapegoat immediately, such rumors would only grow. She had to stabilize her image before Lucian joined. "Someone must be held accountable for the arbitration failure," Zora stated. Zane frowned. "Who?" "Lucy. If she hadn't forgotten to update Darcy's contract, we wouldn't have lost." Zane remained silent. Zora lowered her eyes. "As Vice President, I should have the authority to handle a mere HR manager, shouldn't I?" After a long pause, Zane nodded. "Alright. Handle it as you see fit." Half an hour later, Lucy was escorted out of the building, with an internal memo criticizing her performance.The entire Human Resources department was in shock. What on earth happened? That evening, the whole department gathered in a private room for Lucy's farewell dinner, unable to contain their curiosity. After all, Lucy was one of the company's earliest employees, a veritable founding member. Even Zane gave her a certain degree of respect. Yet, Zora had fired her outright.