"Really?" Mia clutched her phone, her heart pounding. Staying on as faculty would be a dream come true. Zora made repeated promises, even declaring, "Come to my house tomorrow night. I'll introduce you to the Dean. Let him get to know you in advance." "That's amazing! Thank you, Dr. Moss!" "Call me Zora. From now on, if you want something, just tell me. I'll make it happen." Through her cousin, Zora knew Mia came from a humble background—she dressed simply and lived frugally. Girls like that? They were the easiest to sway with vanity. "Thank you, Zora," Mia said, biting her lip, her resolve hardening. "Don't worry. The matter you mentioned... I have a plan now." Zora pretended not to understand. "What matter?" Then she chuckled softly. "It's good that you have a plan."Hanging up, Zora carefully reviewed her conversation with Mia, making sure there were no loopholes before finally relaxing. Darcy, feeling smug about yourself? I won't let you stay on top forever. ... After lunch, Darcy and Bram took a stroll in the small park near campus to walk off the meal. They were chatting when a tall, familiar figure popped up ahead of them. Darcy froze. Lucian spoke first, "Dr. Marsh, I have a document for you." After Alistair turned down SummitCore's offer to buy the patent, Zora and Zane had lost interest in the base's R&D project—they didn't even bother putting on a fake show of caring. But since the company had already put money into it, Zane assigned Lucian to stick with the project, attend the monthly meetings, and send back regular updates. Bram had mentioned needing a requirements report a few days ago. Lucian had come to deliver it today. Getting out of his car, he saw Bram and Darcy walking in the park. "Thanks," Bram said, taking the file. Seeing Lucian wasn't leaving, he looked up, puzzled. "My apologies," Lucian said. "Dr. Marsh, I'd like a word with Darcy. Could you give us a moment alone?" Bram was surprised, looking between them. "You two know each other?" Darcy lowered her eyes, her tone flat. "We've met a few times." "Oh. Alright then." Bram walked away, glancing back several times. After he left, Lucian looked at Darcy. She was noticeably cooler than the last time they'd met. The day of the product launch, he had sent her a message congratulating her. She never replied. She must have been angry, misunderstanding his intentions. Lucian's expression turned earnest. "The moment I added you on WhatsApp, I realized who you were. I wasn't trying to hide it. I just didn't know how to tell you." Their meetings had been coincidental. But Lucian had noticed her in the crowd immediately. She reminded him so much of Ella—resilient and full of life, impossible to ignore. Darcy froze for a second, then it clicked. She shook her head and started walking slowly forward. "I never once thought you were trying to get close to me on purpose. "I just think we're on different sides. It's better not to get too close." Lucian didn't buy it. "How are we on different sides?" he said, then leaned in slightly, his tone turning serious. "Darcy, the truth is—we might be on the same side." At least when it comes to taking down Zora. "If being in different companies makes it awkward for you, then how about this—if we bump into each other at work, we pretend we don't know each other. Off the clock, we act like before. Deal?" Darcy's tone stayed flat. "We don't exactly have much chance of running into each other off the clock." "Not before. But maybe in the future." Lucian's tone was cryptic. Darcy glanced at him but said nothing more. Just then, Lucian's phone rang. It was Zora. Darcy immediately walked further away to give him privacy. Lucian answered, his tone mocking. "Hello? It's the weekend. Don't tell me you're calling me in to work." Zora smiled on the other end. "I don't care about work. I only care about results." Lucian raised a brow. "Then what do you want?" Zora dropped her voice even lower. "You got that kind of pill?" She knew Lucian had a whole bag of tricks. Back when they were abroad, he was the one who'd opened her eyes. Lucian gave a soft, derisive laugh. "Who's it for? I don't do illegal stuff." "For myself." "You wanna use it on Zane?" Lucian guessed right away. He'd noticed Zane pulling away from Zora more and more lately—and word had been spreading around the office. Looked like she was getting desperate He sneered, his eyes flicking toward Darcy's distant figure. The rumors also mentioned that Darcy and Zane used to be a couple, ruined by Zora.He smirked. "So you're going all in? You sure Zane loves you? Word is he can't let go of his ex." "Bullshit!" Zora sounded like a cat with its tail stepped on. "Zane never loved that bitch Darcy! I'm the only one in his heart!" She added, her voice turning threatening, "Lucian, don't get ahead of yourself just because I'm being nice. If you don't help me, don't blame me for what happens to your sister."