Darcy sighed inwardly. Since when did Gwen learn to be a spy? "Thank you, but I'll take the subway," Darcy replied coolly. "As for the supplements, that's kind of you, but we can't accept such gifts. Please keep them." Her words were perfectly polite, flawlessly distant, and they cut Hugo to the bone. "Darcy—" "Mr. Sterling, I have to go." She turned to leave, but Hugo caught her wrist, pulling her gently back toward him. His voice was thick with hurt. "Darcy, don't be so cold." Darcy tried to pull free and noticed, for the first time, the vivid bruising on the corner of his mouth. It wasn't fresh. His cheek and jaw bore similar marks. "You got into a fight?" she asked, surprised.Hugo instinctively touched his lip, his eyes shifting away. "It's nothing." Then a flicker of hope lit his gaze. "Are you worried about me?" "No," Darcy said, turning her face away. She tried to slip from his grasp, but he anticipated the move, his hand firm on her shoulder. Darcy's head throbbed, helpless. Gentle talk didn't work. Cold shoulder didn't work. Why is he so persistent? A short distance away, inside a Rolls-Royce, Rowan rubbed his eyes, making sure the person at the door was Darcy. "Boss, that looks like Ms. Gale at the entrance. With... uh, a man." He didn't dare say "tugging and pulling." From the back seat, Jethro's voice was ice. "I have eyes." Rowan swallowed. "Should we go get her?"Jethro let out a slow breath. "Call her. Say there are some issues with the Aethelburg Bank contract that need her immediate review upstairs." Rowan hesitated. "But... the client dinner?" "You go in my place." As Rowan made the call, Jethro was already pushing the car door open, his long strides carrying him back toward the building's entrance. The phone call felt like a lifeline to Darcy. "Of course, Mr. Kerr. I'm on my way up." She hung up and turned to Hugo. "I'm sorry. My boss needs me upstairs for something urgent." Before turning away, she added firmly, "It might take a while. Please don't wait for me." Hugo frowned. The timing felt too convenient. "Is it Jethro?" Darcy didn't answer, already heading for the revolving doors. Hugo didn't leave. He got back into his car and lit a cigarette. Fine. I have patience. On the top floor, outside the CEO's office, Darcy knocked and entered. Jethro wasn't at his desk. The office was vast. Her eyes swept the room before finding him standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, his silhouette tall and straight against the city lights. "Mr. Blackwood? You wanted to see me?" Jethro turned. The side lamps were off, casting his face in shadow, his expression unreadable. Darcy stepped closer and called him again, realizing he seemed unsettled. Did the bank contract have a major flaw? She'd reviewed it herself and checked the key clauses multiple times. Nothing came to mind. Before she could ask, Jethro spoke, his voice low, "The man picking you up downstairs—was that Hugo?"Darcy froze, her thoughts tangling. "Yes." Wait, no, that's not right. She opened her mouth to explain, but when she looked up, she saw pure, raw disappointment etched on his face. "That's not what it looked like," she hurried to explain. "My car is being serviced, so I—" "But you'd rather have him pick you up than tell me." Jethro's gaze held hers, the usual calm elegance gone, replaced by a weary defeat. "Does that mean you've already made your choice?" "No, I haven't—" "It's fine." He cut her off gently, the pain in his voice unmistakable. "Whatever you decide, I'll respect it. But I've heard the Sterling family has been keeping Hugo out of town on extended assignments. They likely know about his interest in you and are trying to put distance between you." "I—" Darcy's lips parted, but he continued. "Speaking as a man, my advice would be to let him resolve his family issues first. Otherwise, your future together will be difficult." Darcy stared at him, utterly bewildered. What on earth is he talking about? I give up. Finally, silence fell. "...Are you done?" Darcy asked, a touch of exasperation in her voice. "Would you like to hear what I have to say?" A low, pained sound escaped him. "Mm." Whatever she said, it wouldn't ease the sharp ache in his chest. Darcy walked right up to him. She looked up into his troubled eyes, then rose onto her toes. She reached up and gently ruffled his hair, a soft, genuine smile curving her lips. "Jethro," she said, her voice clear and sure. "My answer is yes." Jethro froze. Yes? Yes to what? He hadn't actually asked her a question... had he?