Zephyr reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "Your happiness is what matters most." "Don't get handsy," Cindy said, shifting away to avoid his touch. His hand dropped awkwardly to his side. Seeing the tense moment, Darcy quickly interjected with a bright smile. "Alright, everyone, let's eat! Oh, Mr. Knight, after lunch, have one of the senior devs ready to go with me to the Vance Group." Cindy's eyes widened. "The Vances are buying from us? Are they insane? Why wouldn't they use their own products?" Zephyr also looked concerned. "Is there something else going on?" There wasn't, not really. The lead had come from Lilian herself after the engagement party. When there had been no follow-up, Darcy had assumed it was dead. But last night, Lilian had reached out via WhatsApp, asking Darcy to bring a team for a product demo today. After Darcy explained, Cindy nodded, impressed. "Huh. So not all the Vances are trash. Lilian's clearly on another level compared to her scumbag brother. No wonder they keep Zane out of the family business. He's not fit to hold her coffee." "I agree," Darcy said. "As a woman in this field, I have a lot of respect for her." She'd read a recent magazine profile on Lilian just two days ago. It detailed how she'd started at the very bottom of Vance Group after graduation and clawed her way up through sheer competence. In the interview, Lilian came across as poised, articulate, and deeply knowledgeable—a true leader. After lunch, Darcy headed back to the office to prepare for the Vance Group meeting. Cindy, patting her slightly full stomach, announced she was going for a walk in the nearby park. "Ugh, I've gained weight," she groaned.A faint smile touched Zephyr's lips. "Not at all. You look just right." Cindy wasn't having it. She shot him an exasperated look before turning toward the park. Zephyr rubbed the back of his neck. Wrong thing to say again? Should I have said, "Yes, you've gained weight, but you still look good"? He never could figure out the exact triggers for a woman's annoyance. It was partly why his last relationship had ended. His ex had accused him of caring more about code than her. At the time, he'd just felt weary and thought the breakup was for the best. He hadn't realized her complaint was a plea for reassurance. He followed Cindy into the park. Seeing they were relatively alone, he caught up and fell into step beside her. "Cindy, do you have a minute? Can we talk?"He gestured to a bench ahead. "Over there?" Her recent coldness was palpable, and he needed to know why. Cindy stopped walking. She gave him a frosty look. "Actually, I think I'm done walking." With that, she turned to leave. Zephyr's hand shot out, catching her wrist. His heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise. His gaze was pained, searching. "Cindy, what did I do wrong? Why are you shutting me out like this?" Her voice dropped to an icy chill. "You know exactly why." "I don't," he insisted, frustration and hurt warring in his voice. "Tell me. If I did something wrong, I'll fix it." At that moment, his phone rang insistently in his pocket. He ignored it, but it kept buzzing. Reluctantly, he let go of her wrist to pull it out. The moment his grip loosened, Cindy seized the opportunity and strode away.He glanced at the screen—his mother. "Zephyr, honey, your father and Jeremy are both home for dinner tonight. Come join us. It's been too long since the four of us had a proper meal together." He gave a noncommittal assent, but his eyes remained fixed on Cindy's retreating figure like a nail. Just before he hung up, Doris added, "How's Cindy been lately? I hope she wasn't too upset." Zephyr's brow furrowed. "What do you mean? What happened?" Only then did Doris recount her conversation with Cindy about the proposed match with Jeremy. "...I truly think of her like a daughter. I don't want her getting hurt," Doris finished with a sigh. A cold dread seeped into Zephyr's veins. His grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles turned white. "Whose idea was this? Dad's, or Jeremy's?"Hearing the dangerous edge in his voice, Doris assumed it was merely protective, brotherly concern. "Your father's, mostly. But I don't think Jeremy would be opposed." Zephyr let out a short, bitter laugh. "Of course not. All he sees is the bottom line. He'd trade anything for an advantage." Startled by his sudden bite, Doris covered the receiver and hushed him. "Zephyr! Don't say such things! What if your father or brother heard?" She found it strange. Her usually reserved, controlled son sounded impulsive today. She coaxed him. "I know you're close to her because of her brother, but nothing came of it. I've told your father to let it go." Let it go? Zephyr closed his eyes, a mocking smile twisting his lips. Those two—his father and stepbrother—were relentless in their ambitions. They'd never simply "let it go." They'd just bide their time and look for another opening."Mom," he said, his voice low and intense. "No matter how much pressure Dad or Jeremy put on you, don't listen to them. Cindy doesn't like Jeremy. She would never agree to an arranged marriage. Tell them give up that fantasy."