Darcy smiled as the elevator arrived. She stepped in. "It wasn't bought specifically for me. It's registered to the company. Anyone can use it for work purposes." Cade clicked his tongue, stroking his chin. "Cindy is his own sister, and even she doesn't get that kind of treatment." He raised his brows, all gossipy. "You think Mr. Blackwood might be interested in you?" Darcy rolled her eyes. "Get your mind out of the gutter!" They exited the main doors. Jax stepped out from behind the wall near the break room, his face dark. He had overheard their conversation by chance, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Why does Darcy get everything the moment she joins?! I have the seniority, the technical skills, and the management ability! Why was I passed over for CEO when I recommended myself, while she gets this red-carpet treatment? Hmph. What does a young woman like her have to offer? Nothing but her looks, using her body to get ahead! A few of his team members walked towards him, discussing the new Mercedes van downstairs in low voices. Spotting Jax, they immediately stopped talking and nodded in greeting. Jax's lips curled into a smirk. "Do you know who that van downstairs belongs to?" "No." "It was specially bought by Mr. Blackwood for Ms. Gale," he said sneeringly. "Huh?" They exchanged glances, falling silent but clearly forming their own conclusions. Mr. Blackwood and Ms. Gale... Jax smiled thinly. "Don't get the wrong idea. Mr. Blackwood and Ms. Gale have a purely professional relationship. Ms. Gale got where she is on merit." His team members stared at his retreating back, lost in thought. Was it really just professional? Did she really get there on merit alone? Mr. Steel must know something we don't. Someone couldn't resist the gossip any longer and started a discussion in a small private chat. By that afternoon, most people had heard the rumor that Darcy had slept her way to the top. ... They arrived at the Easemark Ventures headquarters, parked, and got out. Cade, ever perceptive, walked ahead of Darcy and proactively opened the main door for her. He made an exaggerated "after you" gesture. "After you, Ms. Gale!" Darcy laughed, successfully amused, and didn't stand on ceremony, walking in first.Inside, Cade hurried over to the reception desk to check in. After he provided the information, the female receptionist made a call to verify their appointment. Her previously sweet smile suddenly froze. Cade sensed something was wrong. "Is there a problem?" The receptionist hung up the phone and gave him an apologetic nod. "I'm sorry, sir. I've verified with the assistant to the IT Manager, Mr. Stone. There is no appointment for you. I cannot let you upstairs." "What?! No way! We definitely have an appointment! I'll show you the confirmation!" Cade was agitated, accidentally letting a curse word slip out. The receptionist frowned, now even more convinced these two were pushy salespeople with no real appointment, trying to sneak upstairs. "I'm sorry, sir. Please don't make a scene," she said, giving him a disdainful look. A security guard standing nearby turned to watch them.Cade was about to argue further when Darcy stopped him. She patted his shoulder gently. "Don't panic. There must be some misunderstanding. There's a café over there. Let's go sit and wait." At the café, Darcy ordered two iced lattes and pushed one towards Cade. "Have some coffee. Cool down." Fuming, Cade grabbed the coffee and gulped down half of it in one go. "How dare she say I'm making a scene! Pisses me off! I clearly called and made an appointment with Mr. Stone's assistant!" He pulled out his phone and showed Darcy his call log. Darcy had maintained a friendly relationship with Eamon Steele, the CEO of Easemark Ventures, for years. Before the POC, she had also called him, and he had expressed a strong interest in the product she described. However, the specific tender wasn't handled by Eamon himself, but by the IT Manager, Bex Stone, who reported to him.Eamon had told Darcy, "I'll give you the contact for the IT Manager's assistant. You can schedule the time with him." After receiving the info, Darcy had forwarded it directly to Cade for him to handle the scheduling. Darcy knew Cade was showing her the call log to prove he hadn't slacked off—he really had made the appointment. "I'm not blaming you. This isn't your fault." She continued, "The fact that the assistant didn't even verify and just told reception to turn us away means something's up." Cade was shocked. "Why would they do that?" Darcy shook her head. "I don't know." Like a deflated balloon, Cade's shoulders slumped. He looked utterly dejected. "So what do we do now?" "I'll try contacting the CEO directly." Darcy took out her phone and made the call. The line connected, but no one answered.Cade slumped over the table, looking half-dead. Darcy tried to comfort him. "He's probably just busy. Don't worry. Let's wait a bit longer."