Zephyr replied, "I did my undergrad in Mathematics at Quest University. My Master's is in Computer Science from Cybernix Institute of Technology." "Quest U! Wow, Mr. Blackwood is also from Quest U!" Zephyr didn't hide his connection. "Yes. Jethro and I grew up together. We're also alumni. After returning from abroad, I went to Valeridge first. I only moved back to Aethelburg late last year." Grew up together? Darcy instinctively glanced at Cindy. If Zephyr and Jethro were childhood friends, then Cindy, as Jethro's sister, should know him well, right? A less-than-ideal guess flashed through Darcy's mind. Could there be some romantic history between these two? She pushed the thought aside and asked, following Zephyr's lead, "If you don't mind me asking, since your family is in Aethelburg, why did you choose to go to Valeridge after returning? The tech industry here is quite strong too." Zephyr paused. "My ex-girlfriend was from there." The room fell silent for a beat. Ah, so he returned after a heartbreak. Darcy didn't press further. She quietly observed Cindy's expression. Thankfully, it seemed calm. After the meal, Darcy announced she and Cindy needed to visit a client that afternoon, sending the others back first. Once the private room door closed, Cindy looked puzzled. "What client?" "Okay, spill. What's really going on between you and Zephyr?" Darcy asked, her expression one of "you're not getting off the hook." She narrowed her eyes. "You've been off all morning. Something definitely happened in the past." Cindy pressed her lips together. After half a minute, she said with a self-mocking smile, "What history? Nothing even started between us before it ended. "Remember what I told you before? That I confessed to someone once and got brutally rejected? "That someone... was Zephyr." Darcy was stunned. She hadn't expected that. "Does your brother know?" Cindy shook her head. "I have too much pride to let him know." She blinked, her tone turning pleading. "Darcy, I haven't told anyone else but you. Please keep this secret for me. And... pretend you don't know anything in front of him, okay?" "Him" naturally meant Zephyr. Darcy gave her a quick hug. "Okay." Cindy offered a wry smile. "What's that for? I don't need comforting. Honestly, I'd already forgotten about him. If you hadn't introduced us today, I wouldn't even have recognized him." Darcy could see right through the lie. If Cindy had truly forgotten, she would have talked to Zephyr openly and confidently, not sat there in total silence all lunch. But from what Zephyr said, he and his ex were done. So, maybe there was still a chance for him and Cindy... Darcy shelved those thoughts for now. "It's almost Christmas. Things at the office are quiet. Come on, I'll take the afternoon off and go shopping with you." "You, a manager, playing hooky?" Cindy said, incredulous. Darcy winked. "Who's playing hooky? We're visiting a client, remember?" They both laughed. Soon, the day arrived for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Alistair's research institute. Darcy and Jethro drove there together. The institute was located in a business park just north of Quest University, a city-backed incubation zone for university-industry projects. As they got out of the car, Darcy saw Bram waiting at the entrance. "Bram," she called, waving. He hurried over. "Darcy, Mr. Blackwood." Jethro raised an eyebrow slightly, choosing to ignore the difference in familiarity in the greetings. Bram led them inside for a tour. The office environment was excellent—spacious, with top-notch equipment. Darcy booted up a computer to check the specs. Both hardware and software were first-rate. Just then, Alistair arrived. "Prof. Reed!" Darcy's eyes lit up. Alistair pushed up his glasses, his expression as stern as ever. "You're here." "Yes, Mr. Blackwood and I just arrived.""Bram," Alistair said, "show her to her workstation." Darcy was pleasantly surprised. "I have my own desk?" "Of course," Bram said. "Prof. Reed specifically asked me to pick the most spacious, brightest spot for you. Don't let his stern face fool you. He really missed having you around." Darcy smiled, unable to resist looking back at Alistair. His previously mild eyes met hers and instantly turned strict. She stifled a laugh. "This is yours. Mine's right next to it," Bram explained. "And the others?" "Those are for the other students. Every one of Prof. Reed's students will be involved in the institute's projects." Darcy nodded. "Is the R&D plan ready?" "Still being finalized. It'll be officially announced after Christmas.""Good. The two patents I'm working on won't take too much time. I'll be fully involved in the main project research with everyone else."