Bram said, "Didn't I already get back to you? This patent isn't for sale." Besides, the patent wasn't even in Alistair's possession. Zane's tone was earnest. "Prof. Reed, if we combine the patent you hold with our product, it'll bring a radical change to domestic financial firms. I believe that's something you'd like to see as well. I hope you'll consider it, for the sake of the SummitCore investment in the base lab." His words were sincere, his offer generous. But Alistair remembered clearly. Darcy had stated long ago that this patent was not intended for sale and would be used at Stratagem Tech. Darcy wasn't the type to chase money. Once she made up her mind, no price would make her break her word. So Alistair stated plainly, "Sorry. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you two. That patent is not in my possession."What?! This answer caught both Zora and Zane completely off guard. "Then who holds it? Could you help introduce us? As long as they're willing to name a price, we can meet it," Zora blurted out. The new product launch was imminent. This patent was the final missing piece. She had thought victory was assured today, only to be met with one twist after another. Alistair claimed he didn't even hold the patent. She felt like the universe was messing with her. Alistair shook his head. "I cannot tell you that. And I must ask you not to trouble her. The holder has no intention of selling." With that, he stood up and signaled to Bram. "Let's go." Bram gave them an apologetic look. "Sorry, we have to leave now." In an instant, the private room held only Zora and Zane.Just then, a server arrived with their dishes. Seeing only two people left, the server looked momentarily confused but didn't question it, proceeding to set the food on the table. Suddenly, Zora snapped and flipped the dish onto the floor. "That old jerk!" she hissed through gritted teeth. "How dare he play me like this!" The server froze in place, terrified. Zane was also taken aback. He frowned, looking at Zora. Her face was twisted and scary. For a moment, she felt like a complete stranger to him. Is this still the gentle, poised, and kind Zora I know? Zora quickly realized she had lost control. She wrapped her arms around Zane's and cooed, "Zane, I'm so sorry. I scared you, didn't I? I just... I just got so angry! He was clearly lying to us. The patent is definitely with him. He just doesn't want to sell it to us!"Her words did little to dispel the doubt now lodged in Zane's heart. He subtly disengaged his arm from her grasp. Still, he agreed with one thing Zora said—the patent was likely still with Alistair. The claim about not possessing it was probably just an excuse not to sell to them. On the ride back, Zora gradually accepted the reality. They probably weren't getting that patent. But the new product development had to continue. The launch event would attract a batch of clients. With solid-looking financial reports afterward, the company could start the listing process in Q2. Once the company went public, her stock options... Thinking that, she turned and promised Zane, "Zane, don't worry. Even without the patent, it's fine. With Lucian and me here, the Q1 product launch will be absolutely fine. Our previous research showed many existing clients are interested in our new product." Zane let out a slow, heavy sigh.At this point, that was the only way forward. Outside the car window, the city lights blazed, neon signs crisscrossing in a dazzling, flowing spectacle. Zane's gaze followed the passing scenery. He couldn't help but wonder—if Darcy were here, would she have found a more ingenious solution? Leaning back in the seat, weariness etched across his face, Zane realized he had been thinking of Darcy more and more lately. In many small moments, his mind drifted to her. But he knew deep down—he and Darcy would probably never get back to how they were. Yet when he thought about getting engaged to Zora, for some reason, resistance rose up in him. I'm supposed to love Zora, aren't I? Back when Darcy had steeled herself and insisted on breaking up, he had thought she was making a mountain out of a molehill. He hadn't understood her. Now, Zane found he didn't even understand himself. Somehow, without noticing, they had all changed. Zora, sitting beside him, remained oblivious to his thoughts. Her phone suddenly buzzed with a text message. "Jethro is Prof. Reed's nephew. Darcy got into the lab project because of that connection." Zora tucked her phone away with a cold laugh. She then turned to Zane, deliberately adopting a meaningful, almost gossipy tone as she relayed the information. "Darcy and Mr. Blackwood—there's more there than meets the eye." Zane's eyes narrowed sharply. There's a connection like that?! "How do you know this?" Zane suddenly turned to look at her.Caught off guard by the direct question, Zora froze for a second. She didn't dare mention that Mia was her informant. She just gave another cold laugh. "Someone posted a photo of Jethro and Prof. Reed online. A comment underneath mentioned it." Zane grunted in acknowledgment. "Even if that's true, it doesn't mean much. Prof. Reed didn't hand Blackwood Group any special favors." Zora raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with disdain. "How can it not mean anything? At the very least, we now know Darcy got into the lab project by pulling strings."