Zane let out a heavy, defeated breath. "So it is you." When Zora claimed Darcy was behind the slander, a small part of him had clung to the hope it wasn't true. But hearing Darcy essentially confirm it firsthand extinguished that last flicker. His eyes darkened. "Darcy, you know what? Zora didn't call the cops because you two are sisters. Otherwise—" "Otherwise what?" Darcy lifted her chin defiantly. "Otherwise her true colors would be exposed for all to see?" "You—" Zane's chest heaved with anger. "Do you have to paint Zora like some villain? She's not!" Any remaining desire Darcy had to argue vanished instantly. "You buy every word she says. Zane, is your brain just for show? She's mean, you're dumb. Perfect match. Quit bugging me. If you can't stand me, call the police!" Zane's face was a mask of fury. "Do you have to talk like that? If you publicly admit you fabricated all of this, I can let it go." "Fabricated?" Darcy's laugh was a sharp, brittle sound. "Did I fabricate Quest University's official response, too? Zane, do yourself a favor and get your head examined. How does a functional human being end up with a brain like that?" With that, she turned and hurried into her apartment complex. Zane stood frozen, staring after her retreating figure, his expression growing grimmer by the second. After parting from Darcy, Jethro drove straight to the Blackwood Manor. The Blackwood Manor was a sprawling property on the eastern edge of Aethelburg, overlooking the ocean. The serene environment and fresh air made it ideal for the elders' retirement. His grandfather lived there.As his car pulled up, the butler opened the door. "Mr. Blackwood." Jethro strode inside, his grandfather's hearty laughter reaching him. "Jasper! You finally came to visit me!" Jethro's steps slowed slightly, a frown forming. Jasper's back? Why now? After the incident all those years ago, which claimed the lives of both Jethro's father and his uncle, his aunt had been inconsolable. She'd taken her young son, Jasper, and moved abroad permanently. All these years, they never came back. Apart from occasional video calls during holidays, where polite, distant greetings were exchanged, the two branches of the family had no contact. His aunt had always blamed Jethro for what happened, harboring a deep-seated resentment toward him and his immediate family. "Jethro, you're here." Cindy's voice at the doorway pulled him back to the present.He offered her a warm smile. "Yeah. Is Jasper really here?" Cindy peeked into the living room, then pulled her brother aside, lowering her voice. "Why do you think he's back now? He and his mom have been settled abroad for years. What prompted this sudden return?" Could he be here to fight for the company? The board meeting was in five days. Jasper's timing was highly suspect. When they left back then, Arthur had agreed that the Blackwood Group would be managed by Jethro's branch. However, a seat on the board was reserved for Jasper. Out of a sense of compensation, Arthur had also allocated them a substantial block of shares, with annual dividends prioritized for them. Moreover, their living expenses abroad were covered monthly by the Blackwood family trust. In short, Jasper and his mother lived a life of luxury overseas. If he's here to fight for the company—Cindy pressed her lips together, a knot of unease forming in her stomach. Her family had been victims, too. She'd lost her father. Jethro had lost even more. Yet they hadn't collapsed. They'd shouldered the responsibility of the Blackwood Group. Especially Jethro. For years, he'd poured his heart and soul into the company, working tirelessly to build it into what it was today. Jethro gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "This is his home too. He's free to return whenever he wishes." "That's true, but..." Cindy sighed. "He just feels different." Jasper was three years younger than her. As a child, he'd been adorable, always trailing after Cindy like a little shadow. In his teens, he was still stuck to her like glue. Later, after his father and uncle died, Jasper moved abroad with his mother. They would still reach out every now and then in private, but over the past year, Cindy had sensed a distinct cooling in her cousin's demeanor, especially after she'd asked for his help gathering evidence on Zora. Jethro smiled faintly, "It's been many years. People change. Let's go in." The siblings entered, interrupting the lively conversation in the living room. Arthur saw his eldest grandson and smiled kindly, "Jethro! There you are. Come, sit. It's been years since you've seen Jasper. Come say hello." Jasper stood up, tilting his head back to look at his taller cousin. "Jethro."