Everyone else was stunned! Lucy, having had a few drinks too many, had anger burning in her eyes. She slammed her glass down on the table, fuming. "That bitch Zora deliberately pinned the blame on me! "She actually said the arbitration failed because I didn't update Darcy's contract in time, and I bear 100% of the responsibility. What a load of crap!" Everyone present had heard about the failed arbitration. At first, they had all sympathized with Darcy, thinking Zora would surely win. But they never expected such a loss. And over such a trivial matter? It was laughable. Everyone was outraged on Lucy's behalf. "Dr. Moss went too far. Why didn't Mr. Vance stop her?" Lucy let out a cold laugh. "Let me tell you all a secret." Everyone leaned in. "What is it?" Lucy narrowed her eyes. "Mr. Vance and Darcy used to be a couple." "What?!" The collective gasp was audible. Someone couldn't help but blurt out, "Then Mr. Vance being with Dr. Moss means he—" Cheated! Lucy sneered, "That's not all. Darcy gave up her studies to help Zane start the company. She worked for five years to build up its performance. Zane originally planned to give the Vice President position to Darcy, but then he turned around and gave the title to Zora instead. "Just because Zora is his first love. "And get this—this month was supposed to be when Zane and Darcy got engaged. But then—well, you all know what happened. Darcy resigned, and Zora latched onto Zane." The room fell into a heavy silence. Then, a chorus of curses erupted throughout the private room. "Holy crap, haven't seen a scumbag of this caliber in ages!" "May the scumbag and the homewrecker stay together forever and not pollute the dating pool!" "No way, I'm spreading the word about these two. Let's see her play the 'educated elite' card after this!" After that night, Zora's reputation and image within SummitCore Tech plummeted. Meanwhile, Zora was at home, on the phone with Lucian across the ocean. A lazy laugh came through the line. "What makes you so sure I'll agree to your terms?" he asked, taking a deep drag of his cigarette. Zora also smiled, idly playing with a strand of her hair as she spoke, "If I'm not mistaken, you have a younger sister, don't you? Mandy Yorke, living in Cloudcrest, right?" Lucian's breathing hitched on the other end. "Oh, so my information is spot on," Zora said, her smile widening. "What do you want?" Lucian's voice was like ice, a clear sign of his rising anger. "Relax. As long as you behave, both you and your sister will be perfectly fine." There was a deep, audible breath on the line. "Fine. I'll return. Give me a month." "No," Zora countered. "You have two weeks to report for duty." "Two weeks is impossible. I can't wrap things up that fast." "Lucian, you're capable. I believe in you." With a final smirk, she ended the call. ... After a long day, Darcy returned home.Ione had just finished cooking. Seeing her daughter, she smiled and went to take her bag. "You seem happy. Something good happened today?" From the moment she walked in, Darcy had been wearing a faint, contented smile. Darcy tied her hair into a ponytail. "Justice was served. Feels good." Ione didn't fully understand but didn't press. As long as her daughter was happy. Sitting at the table, Ione noticed the dark circles under Darcy's eyes. "You've been staying up later and later. You need to take care of yourself." "I know. The written exam is in less than two weeks. Once it's over, I'll catch up on all the sleep I've missed." "Don't push yourself so hard. It's okay if you don't get in." Darcy smiled, "Mom, don't worry about me. I can handle it." As they chatted, the doorbell suddenly rang.Ione got up to answer it. "Oh! Kaia! What brings you here? Have you eaten?" Kaia didn't answer. She marched into the apartment looking furious. She threw her bag violently onto the sofa and glared at Darcy. "Darcy, you are shameless!" Ione, who was in the kitchen, flinched, nearly dropping the plate. She rushed out, frowning. "Kaia! How can you talk like that?" What has the Lark family done to her? Ione found that since returning to the Larks, she'd become a stranger. Ione used to think she was just young and immature. But now she was hurling insults. At the sister who'd grown up with her, no less. Ione was utterly shocked. "Kaia, talk it out," Ione said, trying to take her arm. But Kaia had lost all composure. Her mind was filled with Zora's disappointed look.The arbitration loss had displeased Zora greatly. Though Zora hadn't said it outright, Kaia knew their newly formed connection was now strained. Zora misunderstood, believing Kaia had deliberately withheld some materials, causing them to lose. But Kaia felt utterly wronged. She truly hadn't known! Thinking back, Darcy's door had been locked before her business trip, but the morning she left, somehow it wasn't locked anymore.