Darcy was about to call Gwen when a low, husky voice spoke from behind her. "Darcy?" Hugo was calling her name. Darcy turned. Seeing it was him, she gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. Seeing the gift box in her hand, Hugo understood she was there for Gwen's birthday. A faint smile touched his lips. "The exam is soon, right? My apologies. Gwen shouldn't have bothered you at such a crucial time." "It's fine," Darcy said, shaking her head. She had planned to go out anyway to relax. "Where is Gwen? I'd like to give her the gift," Darcy asked, looking up at him. Hugo gestured with a "please" motion. "She's in the upstairs lounge. I'll take you up." "Thank you."Hugo smiled wryly. She was always so polite with him. Upstairs in the lounge, Gwen was having her hair and makeup done. Seeing Darcy in the mirror, she immediately asked the stylist to pause. "Darcy! You came!" Darcy smiled and presented the gift. "Happy Birthday!" "Ah, I'm so touched! Thank you!" Gwen gave her a fierce hug. If not for the freshly applied lipstick, she might have kissed her cheek. Hugo leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, watching the two with a gentle smile. Running short on time, the stylist nearby urged them to continue. Gwen reluctantly released Darcy. "Hugo, help me look after Darcy for a bit." "Of course," Hugo replied. Then his deep, thoughtful gaze shifted to Darcy. The two of them went downstairs together, a quiet tension in the air. Suddenly, Hugo spoke, "I heard you won the arbitration case against SummitCore. Congratulations." Darcy's tone was neutral. "Thank you." Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, Hugo asked, "It must have been exhausting lately." He had noticed the dark shadows under her eyes when she entered, the obvious weariness on her face. Darcy hummed in acknowledgment but didn't elaborate. Perhaps it was the prolonged stress or a moment of distraction, but Darcy misjudged a step and missed the edge. "Ah—" Just as she was about to tumble forward, the person behind her reacted swiftly, his arm shooting out to catch her firmly around the waist. Darcy's heart pounded wildly. Thank goodness. With the exam so close, it would have been a tragedy to sprain an ankle or break something and miss it this year. Her long lashes fluttered. "Thank you." A unique, subtle scent that was distinctly Darcy's reached him. Hugo's Adam's apple bobbed. He withdrew his hand, but his fingertips still felt strangely warm. They reached the ballroom. Hugo led her to the buffet area and filled a small plate with pastries and fruit for her. "The main dinner will start soon. Have a little something first." Darcy shook her head, declining. She glanced at her watch. "The gift has been delivered. Could you please let Gwen know I have to leave?" She turned to go. Hugo caught her wrist.His expression was complex. "The cake-cutting ceremony is about to start. If Gwen realizes you've left, she'll be disappointed even during the wish-making." Darcy paused, pressing her lips together. Her hand went slightly limp in his grasp. Seeing her hesitation, Hugo nudged a little more. "I know you'd rather not be around me. Stay here. I'll go stand by the door." After releasing her, Hugo was true to his word. His long strides carried him to the entrance. By now, several people's gazes had drifted towards Darcy, likely due to her brief interaction with Hugo. Darcy retreated to a corner and began eating a pastry as if she were alone. "Darcy? You're here too?" Bram's surprised voice came from nearby as he spotted her and hurried over. "Bram. You made it," Darcy said. She had wondered earlier. Gwen adored Bram; why wouldn't she have invited him?As she stood next to Bram, the tense, awkward feeling dissipated. Speaking about the exam in three days, even the usually confident Darcy admitted to some nerves. Bram patted her shoulder reassuringly. From his post by the entrance, Hugo glanced over and frowned slightly. He knew Bram's feelings, of course. But he wasn't worried. He was certain Darcy wasn't interested in Bram's type. What type Darcy was interested in now, Hugo didn't know either. But inexplicably, he felt he had a better chance than Bram. Suddenly, the ballroom lights dimmed. Accompanied by "Happy Birthday," a spotlight shone on the second-floor landing. Gwen, now dressed in a gorgeous gown, made her grand descent. At this moment, she was the center of attention, the true jewel of the Sterling family.In the center of the ballroom, servers wheeled out a cake stand. The cake itself was nearly seven feet tall. Amid applause, Gwen approached the cake. The servers lit the candles. The Sterling elders smiled warmly, patting her hair. "Make a wish." Gwen nodded solemnly, her large eyes sweeping across the room. Finally, she spotted Bram and Darcy at the very edge of the crowd. A sweet smile spread across her face. She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles. The ballroom lights came back on.