"Really? That's great! With you on board, it'll be twice as productive!" Outside, the noise level was rising. The ceremony was about to begin. "Should we go watch?" Darcy suggested. At the entrance, they saw the university president, deans, and other officials shaking hands and chatting with several investors. Soon, three figures caught and held Darcy's attention. Her heart skipped a beat. Alistair had mentioned three investing companies. Did that include SummitCore and the Sterling Group? Alistair looked over and said to Bram, "The ceremony is starting. Bram, get ready." "Right away, Prof. Reed." As Bram left, all eyes seemed to shift to Darcy. Zane was taken aback, his brow furrowing. What is Darcy doing here? His gaze then fell on the university officials fawning over Jethro. His expression darkened. What exactly is the relationship between Darcy and Jethro that he'd bring her to an event like this? His hands clenched at his sides. Zora had similar thoughts. She initially assumed Darcy was there as Jethro's assistant. But no. Jethro was actively praising Darcy's abilities to the university officials. Zora admitted Darcy had some skill, but was she that impressive? Was Jethro interested in her? Zora pressed her lips together, staring at the woman across the way. What does a nobody like Darcy have to attract someone like Jethro? Hugo instinctively wanted to go greet Darcy, but a glance at Zane's icy expression stopped him. He simply gave her a slight, distant nod from where he stood. Darcy saw him too, but her response was cooler than ever before. Hugo could guess why. His eyes darkened. The ribbon-cutting ceremony officially began. Alistair and the three investors stood in the center, flanked by university officials. All smiled broadly as they cut the ribbon. Darcy and the crowd applauded. Somehow, Zora had ended up standing right beside her. "Ms. Gale. We meet again. I'm surprised to see you in a setting like this. The ceremony is quite high-profile, after all." On stage, the university president was giving a speech. Darcy turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Likewise. I'm also surprised to see someone like you at such a high-profile event." Zora gritted her teeth but smoothly shifted her expression into a smile. "You may not know. I'm not just an ordinary employee at SummitCore anymore. I've been promoted to partner. Zane gave me 10% in stock options. Combined with the 5% I already had, that's a full 15%." She smoothed her long hair, a sense of superiority oozing from her. "I heard you didn't get a single option in your five years at the company." She was proudly flaunting her status and her relationship, but Darcy felt nothing. She had been naive once, but that was over. Darcy smiled slightly, "Options, not equity. If SummitCore fails to go public, they're just worthless paper." Zora's face tightened. "Are you cursing SummitCore?" "I'm just reminding you not to get too cocky. It usually ends badly." "You—"Zora took a sharp breath. She had underestimated Darcy before, thinking she was just a lovesick fool, quiet and meek. She was clearly wrong. "By the way," Zora said, recovering her composure, "Zane and I are getting engaged in April next year. You were, after all, a longtime employee. I'll have Zane send you an invitation. Do make sure to attend!" Darcy's lips pressed together. She knew an engagement was inevitable, but so soon was a surprise. Zane must be very eager. "No need. You're not worth my attendance," Darcy replied flatly. She turned and walked away towards Bram. Furious, Zora watched her go, then was struck by another surprise. Is Darcy close with Prof. Reed's prized student? She frowned. She had been trying to contact Bram privately for a while, but he always refused.She'd even gotten his address through her cousin's classmate, but that had only made him angry, leading him to block her. She thought he, like Alistair, was aloof and unapproachable. Yet he looked at Darcy with a smile in his eyes. What spell has Darcy cast on him? The ceremony ended. Zane walked over to Zora. She took his arm, an idea forming. "Zane, it seems Darcy is quite close with Bram." Zane followed her gaze. Across the way, Darcy and Bram were talking about something. Darcy's lips were curved in a smile, her eyes bright. Bram was looking at her with a shy, lowered gaze.