Zora hung up without waiting for a reply. She dialed again. The phone was switched off. It seemed she had no choice. She had to go to the engagement party. But where was it being held? The invitation Zora had sent her was long gone. Right. The Blackwoods are attending. She immediately called Jethro. He answered instantly, his voice warm. "Darcy." Just hearing his voice soothed her frayed nerves. With him, she felt braver. "Are you and Cindy attending Zora and Zane's engagement today?" "Yes." "Can you tell me the address?" He went quiet for a moment, then said, low, "Okay. I'll text you." "Thanks." She hung up, waiting for Jethro's message. The next second, it came in. She grabbed her bag, hailed a ride on her phone, and rushed downstairs. In her haste, she missed the second message he sent. At the Blackwood Manor, Cindy saw her brother staring at his phone for a long time and couldn't help asking, "What's up?" "Nothing." Jethro finally pocketed the phone and went upstairs to change. When he came back down, Cindy was ready. "I have to pretend to toast those two later," she grumbled as they headed out. "I'm worried I'll puke up my breakfast right in front of them." Jethro gave a faint smile. "Once we're there, go find Darcy. You don't have to stay with me." Cindy's eyes lit up. "Darcy's going?" But a second later, something felt off. She scrunched her face. "But why? She refused the invitation outright. Even threw it away." Jethro's expression darkened. "I don't know." "Ah," Cindy said, realization dawning. "That was her on the phone just now. Wait, but—" Something didn't add up. What was off? She realized it after getting in the car, smacking her thigh. If Darcy wanted to attend the engagement, shouldn't she have called her first? Why call her brother? She shot a suspicious glance across the center console at her brother. But right now Jethro's mind was stuck on why Darcy suddenly changed her mind and decided to go. The groom was her ex, the man who had nearly become her fiancé. The thought sent a dark chill through him. The car rolled up to the hotel hosting the engagement. Darcy jumped out fast. She argued with the security guard, tried sweet talk and tough talk, but he wouldn't budge. She tried Zora's phone again. Still off. Panic rising, she was about to try another approach when a tall, familiar figure emerged from the banquet hall. Hugo stopped short. "Darcy? What are you doing here?" Inside, he'd thought he was seeing things. Turns out it really was Darcy. Seeing him was like finding an oasis. "I know him," she told the guard quickly. "He can vouch for me." Hugo glanced at the guard. "She's with me. Please let her through." The guard, trained to recognize the city's elite, knew the Sterling heir. He stepped aside and let Darcy in. The moment Darcy stepped inside, Ines appeared, champagne flute in hand.His smirk vanished when he saw who was with Hugo. "Well, well. If it isn't Darcy." His voice dripped with sarcasm. "I vaguely remember you being all proud, tossing the invite, swearing you'd never show. What, memory failing you already?" He tilted his head, his tone contemptuous. "Or are you here to make a scene, try to steal the groom back? Classic." Darcy was amazed by his dramatic imagination. She rolled her eyes. "Do you drink so much your brain has stopped developing? I don't have time for this. Get out of my way." Ines' face darkened. "Who do you think you're talking to?" Darcy ignored him, her anxious eyes on Hugo. "Where's Zora? Take me to her!" Hugo frowned. "What's going on?" Darcy's voice was tight. "Zora had my mom kidnapped here. I can't reach her by phone.""What?!" Both men reacted with shock. Ines scoffed first, "That's impossible! Don't you dare slander Zora!" Hugo, though, tried to calm Darcy. "Don't panic. Your mom will be alright. Zora's in the dressing room on the second floor. I'll take you." "Okay." Ines stomped after them, fuming. "Hugo, are you seriously believing her over Zora? We've known Zora since we were kids! You'd trust an outsider's word over hers? Zora would never do something like that. This woman is just trying to ruin her day!"