Now, they couldn't wait to get away from SummitCore. What on earth was happening inside the company? Did Zane really not notice a thing? Darcy sighed, "A few of those people are genuinely excellent. I've worked with them. Reach out in private, ask why they want to jump ship. If it fits, bring them in." The HR manager nodded. "Will do, Ms. Gale." After she left, Darcy checked the time. Five minutes to ten. She grabbed her laptop and headed for the elevator. On the executive floor, Rowan greeted her. "Ms. Gale." Maybe it was her guilty conscience, but Darcy kept feeling Rowan's look was off—his smile a little too warm. She was probably overthinking. Jethro had promised he wouldn't reveal their relationship. He wouldn't. She smiled back. "Mr. Kerr." "Mr. Blackwood is expecting you." "Thank you." She pushed the door open. Jethro was at his desk, reviewing documents. When he saw her, he set his pen down, a smile instantly transforming his face. "You're here." Darcy took the seat opposite him, opening her laptop to pull up her presentation. Before she could speak, he crooked a finger at her. Huh? She gave him a puzzled look. His smile widened. He crooked his finger again. Darcy got up and walked over. The moment she reached him, a long arm shot out from the chair. The next second, she found herself pulled into his lap.The solid strength of his thigh, the feel of taut muscle beneath her, made her cheeks flush. He raised an eyebrow at her deepening blush. "You were just going to start the meeting?" She pushed at his shoulder, her voice low. "What else? We're at the office! Keep it clean." He playfully tapped the tip of her nose. "Okay, Ms. by-the-book." Despite his words, he made no move to let her go. Instead, he reached across the desk, pulled her laptop over, and set it in front of them both. "Let's begin, then," he said, dead serious. Darcy looked down at their position. "Like this?" "What's wrong with it?" She pressed her lips together. "Given your personality, I assumed you'd keep work and personal strictly separate." For years, under Zane's influence, she'd been led to believe office romances were shameful, something to be hidden.And because of that, they had kept their distance—their interactions were colder and more distant than those of ordinary colleagues. Jethro chuckled, "If you don't like this, I won't do it again." He started to set her down. Darcy grabbed his hand, face red. "I—I don't dislike it." "Ah, playing hard to get?" he teased, tapping her forehead lightly. "Be serious!" She gave his shoulder a light shove. The hand on her waist tightened suddenly. His gaze cleared, turning professional. "Alright. Let's begin." The moment they turned to business, both focused completely. Darcy outlined the Aethelburg Bank project and discussed the second-half roadmap. Jethro watched the light in her eyes, momentarily captivated."To think how far Stratagem has come under your leadership in just a year. My judgment was spot-on." He leaned back slightly. "The board meeting is coming up. I plan to propose a significant expansion of Stratagem's scale, elevate its priority within the group, and integrate it fully into the centralized management structure." Full integration meant investment and growth potential on a completely different level. Darcy was all for it, but she worried too. Right now, Stratagem Tech was Jethro's personal company, just operating under the Blackwood name. She only reported to him. If it became a group unit, she'd face a lot more. Her eyes dimmed slightly with concern. Jethro understood. He took her hand. "Don't worry. Even after integration, you'll still report directly to me. I'll handle everything else." "Okay." She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning her head against his chest. Just then, a knock sounded at the door.Flustered, Darcy immediately scrambled off his lap. Jethro frowned slightly, straightening his sleeves and trousers. "Come in," he said, his voice dropping to a professional tone. Rowan entered, scratching his head awkwardly. He knew full well how badly timed this was, but the person at the door—he couldn't make him wait. "Mr. Blackwood, your cousin is here." The phrasing made Darcy freeze. Cousin? Besides Jethro, were there any other young men in the Blackwood family? For a second, she thought Rowan had misspoken. But when Jasper walked in, she realized he hadn't. Jasper wore a steelgray suit. He looked more mature than yesterday, but he was young, still a touch green. He entered and gave Jethro a nod. "Jethro."