Cade admired her composure. Even in this situation, she wasn't panicking. No wonder she's the CEO. Look at that emotional control. In comparison, he felt like an agitated puppy. Half an hour passed, and Eamon was still unreachable. Darcy sipped her coffee, still calm and collected. Her gaze drifted across the bustling lobby, the constant stream of people coming and going, but she didn't see the person she was hoping for. Suddenly, her focus sharpened. Not far away, Zane, Zora, Kaia, and two SummitCore engineers emerged from the security turnstiles inside the building. They had clearly just finished their POC presentation for the Easemark project.Darcy wasn't surprised by this. The Easemark project was a lucrative one, and she knew most companies in the sector had signed up for the POC. But— She hadn't expected Zane to come personally. Back when she was handling business development, she had often asked him to accompany her to client meetings, but he always refused. "I'm busy. I believe in you. You can handle it," he'd always say. But when Zora met with clients, he was worried enough to come along personally. It was proof enough that Zora held a much higher place in his heart than she ever did. Darcy didn't feel sad or upset. It wasn't like this was new information. She looked up again. Zane's gaze swept across the lobby, and Darcy quickly turned away, lowering her head to her coffee."Zane? What are you looking at?" Zora stopped walking, following his line of sight. She only saw a man and a woman sitting near the café entrance, who looked like a couple. Zane pulled his attention back. "Nothing." For a moment, he thought he'd seen Darcy. It must have been his imagination. The group walked outside towards the parking area. Zora reached for the passenger door of the Maybach. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kaia moving to open a rear door. She smiled at Kaia. "Kaia, would you mind riding with the other two colleagues? There's something I need to discuss privately with Zane." Kaia awkwardly pulled her hand back, pressing her lips together. "Of course, Dr. Moss. I'll ride with the engineers." Zora was now not only a company VP but also her direct supervisor. Kaia didn't dare disobey.Once in the other car, Kaia looked out the window. Zora was saying something to Zane. Suddenly, Zora rose onto her toes, leaning close to him, her hand resting on his shoulder. And Zane, who was always so aloof and unapproachable, didn't pull away. He let her lean in slowly. Kaia's eyes widened. They weren't even gone yet, and Zora and Zane were being so brazen! Weren't they afraid... Then again, why would they be? Of the three colleagues present, only she knew Zane had a girlfriend. The two engineers, like the vast majority of the company, thought he was single. And she would never betray Zora, who had just given her a promotion and a raise. For a moment, Kaia actually felt a twinge of pity for Darcy. Seven years of slaving away for Zane, and his old flame comes back and just crooks her finger, and he goes running. What a failed first love! Kaia pulled out her phone and secretly snapped a photo of the scene. A smirk touched her lips as she uploaded it to Twitter. This was her private, anonymous account. No one knew about it but her. "You had a leaf on your shoulder. I got it for you," Zora said playfully, blinking at Zane. The faint scent of her perfume still lingered near his nose. His uncontrollably racing heart gradually settled. So it was just a leaf. He said stiffly, "Thank you." He then opened the passenger door for her, placing a hand on the roof to prevent her from bumping her head—a gesture that looked incredibly considerate to any onlooker. But Zora didn't get in. Instead, she tugged on his sleeve, her voice taking on a coaxing tone. "Are you upset?" Zane was taken aback. "No," he said defensively. "You are upset. Let me guess why... Is it because of the IT Manager, Mr. Stone, at Easemark?" Zane fell silent. Zora's lips curved upward. "I knew it." She blinked slowly, guiding him. "Zane, why are you angry?" Zane still didn't speak, his expression grim. He withdrew his hand and turned to go to the driver's side. "Zane." Zora caught his well-muscled forearm. "Are you... jealous?" Her eyes were laughing, teasing him. Zane's Adam's apple bobbed, his face darkening further. "Alright, I'm just joking," Zora said, releasing his arm.Zane looked directly at her. He wanted so badly to tell her the truth, that yes, he was jealous! But he held back. "I know Mr. Stone was your senior in college," he said. "I know you two were close. But the way he looks at you... it doesn't sit right with me. Zora, I hired you for your capabilities. You just need to do your job well on your own merit. I don't want you making any... sacrifices for the company." Zane's words were carefully chosen, but Zora understood his meaning perfectly. He was telling her she didn't need to compromise herself or agree to any inappropriate demands from Bex just to secure the deal.