Look at her now, alone. Even Hugo, who had once fought his own friend over her, had ultimately and without hesitation chosen his career and prospects when forced to make a choice. Hmph, Darcy. You think you're so great? You're just a flash in the pan. The tide goes out, and then you see who's left standing. Darcy was looking down at her phone, replying to a message from Jethro. Hearing Zora's jab, she lifted her gaze, giving the couple a brief, indifferent glance before returning her attention to her screen. Zora was first incensed by the blatant disregard. But then, a thought occurred. Maybe this is just a bluff? A smirk curled her lips. "Touched a nerve? My bad. I'm just really happy these days. Even with all the nasty rumors people are spreading, I choose not to dwell on them. And Zane believes in me completely." She hugged Zane's arm, affecting a picture of blissful dependence. "Thank you, sweetheart." Ding. The elevator arrived at the cinema level. Darcy walked out without a backward glance. The smirk slowly faded from Zora's face. Compared to the sharp retorts of the past, this utter indifference was infinitely more infuriating. Zora let out a disdainful huff. Running into Darcy had soured her mood, and part of her wanted to just leave. But another, stronger part wanted to confirm her suspicions—was Darcy truly alone? "Let's go, Zane," she said, turning. It was only then that she realized he had stopped several paces behind her. Confused, she walked back to him. "What's wrong?" Zane looked at her with a complex expression. "Why do you always have to talk like that?" he asked, his voice low. "You know there's bad blood. Yet you keep walking up and poking the bear every single time." This deliberate provocation baffled him. "Zora," he said, "do you really hate her that much? Putting aside this recent rumor mess... did she ever actually do anything to hurt you before?" Zora was momentarily speechless. She lowered her eyes. When she looked up again, they were shimmering with unshed tears. "Because I'm scared, Zane," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm terrified of losing you. I'm scared she'll take you away from me." She buried her face in his chest. "You two had seven years together. I know the breakup wasn't really what you wanted. I know you never truly forgot her, even after it was over." "I—" Zane opened his mouth to protest but found no words. Zora, pressed against him, saw the hesitation clearly. His silence confirmed her suspicion. A flash of venomous triumph shot through her eyes, her fists clenching unseen. Yet her voice remained a fragile, choked sob. "I want to let bygones be bygones with Darcy, I really do. But you saw how she is. She twists my every good intention. She goes out of her way to make things hard for me. I have my limits too, Zane. I'm not a doormat. If I didn't stand up for myself sometimes, I'd have sunk into depression long ago." With that, she broke into muffled sobs, her face hidden in the fine wool of his suit jacket. Zane sighed, stroking her hair. He pulled a silk handkerchief from his pocket. "Don't cry," he said, his tone softening into resignation. "I know you've been through a lot. And I know Darcy crossed a line this time. It's more than generous of you not to press charges. A few sharp words are nothing. Consider it as blowing off steam. Come on, let's go in. No need to give anyone a show." "Okay," Zora sniffled, dabbing at her eyes. She took his arm, and they entered the dim theater. Once inside, Zora's eyes immediately began scanning the rows. When she spotted Darcy sitting alone in a corner of the very last row, a silent, cold smile touched her lips. Just as I thought. Alone.See, Darcy? It doesn't matter how capable you are. In the end, men only choose women with the right family, the right connections—women who can help them climb higher. Darcy and Jethro were, in fact, sitting together in that secluded corner of the last row. It was a spot Jethro had chosen deliberately for its privacy. From several angles, only one person was clearly visible; the adjacent seat was cleverly obscured by shadows and the theater's architecture. Jethro handed a tub of popcorn and a soda to his girlfriend with a smile. Darcy looked at the classic movie snack combo with amused surprise. "So even the mighty CEO partakes in the standard movie fare?" But she took them with a grin. Jethro gestured subtly toward a few couples in front of them. "Saw everyone else getting them. Thought it was a mandatory part of the date package." Darcy took a sip of her Coke, chuckling, "Weren't you in a relationship before? How come you seem so clueless about this stuff?" Jethro cleared his throat lightly. "First time at a public cinema. Usually watch movies at home. I have a three-thousand-square-foot private screening room." Darcy blinked. He slid his arm around her shoulders, his gaze holding hers with a hint of a challenge. "Want to see it sometime? Our next date could be at my place." Darcy bit her lip, a flush creeping up her neck. "That might not be a good idea." Jethro's smile deepened. "It's my personal villa." When a man invites a woman to his home, the intentions are rarely purely innocent. Darcy's face grew warmer. She didn't reply, opting instead to take a large, cooling gulp of her icy soda. She misjudged it, the fizzy liquid going down the wrong way and sending her into a coughing fit. Jethro patted her back gently, a teasing glint in his eye. "What are you imagining? It would just be a visit. That's all."