But Cindy wasn't giving up. "No worries. If my cousin won't help, I will. I'll hire a private investigator to look into it overseas." Darcy was deeply moved by Cindy's determination to expose Zora. "Thank you, Cindy. But that's too much of your time. Let's just drop it. I've talked to my mom. John won't be able to bother her so easily anymore." "And you? Can you tolerate Zora popping up in your face all the time? Her little act makes me want to slap her!" Darcy smiled, "I'm not that easy to bully. She only ends up embarrassed around me." But Cindy insisted, "No. You have to pull the weed out by the roots. I'm helping you get rid of this thorn for good." "Cindy, you're so good to me." Darcy couldn't help but hug her.All her life—with Kaia, with Zane—she was always the one giving. This was the first time, besides her mother, that someone was helping her without expecting anything in return. Darcy's eyes grew warm. "So... want to consider being my sister-in-law?" Cindy seized the moment to tempt her. "I'd spoil you rotten!" The tears retreated instantly. Darcy laughed through her emotion. "Don't be silly. Your brother already has someone in mind." Cindy gasped in surprise. "What? He told me last time—" "He said so himself during the game." "Is it possible... the person he meant is you?" Darcy was stunned, instinctively denying it. "Impossible." "Why not? I think it's very possible." But ultimately, it was her brother's and Darcy's business. Cindy wouldn't interfere too much. If her brother really liked Darcy, he should confess himself. She could only play a supporting role. The next day, exhausted from the previous night's games, Cindy slept in. Darcy went down alone for breakfast. In the hotel lobby, she unexpectedly ran into Hugo. She stopped. "What are you doing here?" As soon as she spoke, Ines, Zane, and Zora stepped out of the elevator. Ines called out loudly, "Hugo, took you long enough! I've already checked in." Darcy realized she'd misunderstood. Hugo wasn't here for her. She turned toward the restaurant. Watching her slender retreating back, Hugo forcefully suppressed the urge to go sit opposite her. He let out a heavy sigh and walked over to Ines."What did you say to her?" Ines asked, curious and puzzled. "What do you two even talk about? I heard she recently got back at Zane, costing SummitCore a lot. Stay away from her. She's too scheming." Hugo frowned but didn't explain. "I'll go put my luggage in my room first." Ines rubbed his chin, muttering, "Hugo's been acting weird lately. Won't come out to play. But he was quick to come here. Didn't know he liked the ocean so much." Others might not know, but Zora understood perfectly. She gave a contemptuous snort. Hugo wasn't here for them, or for the ocean. He was here for Darcy. The way he'd looked at her just now—so deep, like a lovesick fool—made Zora sick just thinking about it. "Enough about him. Let's eat." Zora coldly cut off Ines' muttering. Ines blinked.Seems like more than just Hugo has changed. Zora's changed a lot too, without even realizing it. Today's activity for Stratagem Tech was a fishing trip. The company wasn't large, so they chartered two fishing boats. Many were fishing for the first time, beaming with excitement. This time, Darcy was smarter. She wore a baseball cap and blended into the crowd of regular employees. Seeing enough people were on board, she urged the captain to cast off. By the time the boat left, Jethro realized he and Darcy weren't on the same vessel. The sun was exceptionally bright, but the light in his eyes dimmed. Cindy ran over, scanning the deck for Darcy but finding nothing. "Where's Darcy? Why isn't she on our boat?" Jethro pressed his lips together. "Hmm." He turned and walked toward the deck.His silhouette looked lonely. Cindy suddenly felt something was off. Did something go down between my brother and Darcy? At SummitCore, after breakfast, everyone was called to the lawn. Hearing today's task was a twelve-mile hike, everyone was stunned. Remembering Zora's sour expression yesterday, no one dared complain openly. They could only vent in a newly created private chat. "Four hours of drills yesterday, twelve-mile hike today—what are we, soldiers in boot camp???" "Is this team building or medieval torture???" Just then, a former SummitCore employee who'd jumped ship to Stratagem Tech couldn't resist gloating. He casually shared a stunning photo of the ocean view in the chat.