She bit her red lip, giving him a coquettish look. "Before you go... if you want to come see me, you know where to find me." Lucian ignored the blatant invitation. He picked up his car keys and put on his sunglasses. "No thanks. I'm not interested in engaged women." "Lucian," she purred, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Have you forgotten something?" He paused. "What?" "Your dear little sister," Zora reminded him with a sultry smile. Lucian's eyes lowered slightly. That "sister" wasn't really his sister. It was all part of the elaborate, layered game he was playing. "Thanks for the reminder," he said flatly. "Have your people back off from her. When I leave the country, I'm taking her with me."Without another word, he turned and left the café. Once in his car, he pulled out his phone and made a call. "Seven days. I'll be leaving SummitCore. That's when we move." Through the rearview mirror, he watched Zora exit the café. His eyes turned cold and calculating. By the time Zora reached the top floor of SummitCore Tech, she could feel the oppressive tension in the air. Everyone was on edge, moving with exaggerated care. Rex stood up, gesturing toward Zane's office. "Dr. Moss. Mr. Vance has been waiting for you." He emphasized the word "waiting," showing Zane had waited a long time. Zora brushed it off. "Got it." Pushing the door open, she found Zane seated behind his massive desk, his face like thunder. The look he gave her was piercing, as if he could see through all her lies. A thin film of cold sweat broke out on her back. But she steeled herself. There's nothing to fear. You control the company now. She set down her bag and walked over, wrapping her arms around his neck in a familiar, affectionate gesture. "What's the emergency, sweetheart? I just came from Voyager Securities. They confirmed that if we deliver the first batch of features on schedule next week, the initial payment will be wired. That secures the IPO timeline. Everything's on track." Zane peeled her fingers off his neck one by one, his voice icy. "Do you know the attrition rates for the last three, six, and twelve months?" The smile froze on Zora's lips. "I don't sweat those small things. I focus on the projects." "Heh. Small things?" Zane let out a snort. "Then I suppose you also don't know where all those people went."He fixed her with an icy stare. "The top talent all went to Stratagem Tech. Do you have any idea what that means for our company?" The rapid-fire questions made Zora's head spin. She couldn't care less who left or where they went! All she cared about was the IPO and her eventual payout! She took a deep breath, forcing another smile. "Darcy uses underhanded tactics, poaching our people. But we shouldn't waste energy on those who aren't loyal." "You're wrong," Zane said coldly, lighting a cigarette. "They weren't poached. They applied on their own. There's a waiting list to get into Stratagem Tech." Zora had finally had enough of his accusatory tone. She dropped onto the sofa, crossed one leg over the other, folded her arms, and lifted her chin. "So you're blaming me for not managing the company perfectly while you were recovering? "Zane, that really hurts. Ask anyone on the project teams! I've been visiting clients during the day and writing proposals all night, single-handedly keeping everything running. It hasn't been easy!" "Is that so?" A scornful smile twisted Zane's lips. He pulled a USB drive from his desk drawer and tossed it onto the table. "There are security cameras everywhere in this building. Did you really think I wouldn't know what time you come and go?" Zora was stunned. He'd checked the surveillance footage over attendance? Her fists slowly clenched at her sides. She lowered her head. When she looked up again, her eyes were swimming with tears. "Zane, since I joined this company, I've treated it like my own child. I've given it everything I have. We're engaged. The company's success is mine too. Maybe with everything that's happened, I couldn't manage every single detail. But the way you're talking really breaks my heart. I—" Zane cut her off with a weary sigh. "Zora, I've been thinking. Having a couple work together in the same company often leads to conflict. It's not good for the business or for our relationship. So, for the good of the company, and for us, you should resign." A deafening roar filled Zora's ears. She stared at him, disbelief etched on her face. "Resign? You're firing me?" Zane pinched the bridge of his nose. "Not firing. We'll announce it as a voluntary departure. And if you need it, I'll help you find a position at another firm in the industry."