Darcy pressed her lips together, saying nothing. She hadn't told her mother about the recent power struggles at work, not wanting to worry her. Who knew it would turn into her mother's big, righteous reason? She ran a hand through her hair. "Mom, no more of this. And no more inviting Hugo over. If he shows up uninvited, don't let him stay for meals. It's awkward." "You stubborn girl." Ione tapped her forehead gently, then set down her knife, her tone turning serious. "Darcy, Zane and the Moss family are both done for. There's nothing stopping you and Hugo now. No one will be popping up to cause trouble or spread gossip. Why can't you just give him a proper chance?" Darcy was baffled. Wasn't her mother the one who always warned her about the dramas of wealthy families? Why was she so fixated on Hugo?The Sterlings were just as much "high society" as anyone else. Ione seemed to catch her drift and smiled, "I looked into it. The Sterlings aren't old-money industrialists. They're more of an academic family. Many of his relatives are in research and academia. That's much better than those nouveau riche types with nothing but money. You wouldn't be mistreated in a family like that." Darcy massaged her temples. "Mom, academic dynasty or business dynasty, there's still a huge social gap between them and us." "At least academic families are reasonable." "They'd still look down on us." Ione's patience snapped. She glared at her daughter. "You little brat, you just have to go against me, huh? Don't tell me you're dating some trust fund kid?" Her eyes narrowed, voice spiking. "Is it Jethro?" Darcy felt her mother was being ridiculous, and her head throbbed."Mom, do you know why Hugo has been traveling for work out of town for so long?" "Why?" "Because his parents found out he was pursuing me. They shipped him off to manage a regional branch to keep him away." Ione was taken aback. She hadn't considered this. Her lips moved soundlessly. "He... he never mentioned..." Darcy placed her hands on her mother's shoulders. "Mom, I have no feelings for Hugo. His parents are against it. We're not a match. Please stop trying to force it. As for my future, I have my own plans. Have I ever given you reason to worry? My studies, my career, my life—I've handled it all myself." Ione's eyes grew misty. She pulled Darcy into a hug. "I'm just afraid... afraid that one day I won't be here, and there'll be no one to look after you." "Mom, don't think like that. I went to the church last time and said a prayer for you. You're going to live a long, healthy life." Ione laughed through her tears. "Since when are you so superstitious?" Darcy smiled, leaning into the hug. "Since it's about you." Lunch was soon ready. Hugo helped bring dishes to the table, and the three of them sat down. Ione was still polite, urging him to eat, but the previous overwhelming warmth was gone. Hugo glanced at Darcy beside him. She must've talked her mother around. The realization was another sharp sting. "Here, try this. I prepared the fish." Hugo used the serving utensils to place a piece of lemon-herb baked salmon on Darcy's plate. Darcy looked down and took a small bite. "It's good. I'm impressed with your knife skills." Seeing she was willing to engage, Hugo's smile returned. "My grandfathers both love fishing out in the wild and love cooking their catch right on the shore. I picked up a few things tagging along."Darcy nodded. "That explains it." The meal passed quickly. Having taken the afternoon off, Darcy had no intention of returning to the office. She settled on the sofa, mindlessly flipping through TV channels. Hugo offered to help Ione with the dishes. "Oh, don't worry about it!" Ione said cheerfully. "Darcy bought a dishwasher last month. Why don't you go watch some TV?" She didn't say "keep Darcy company" this time. Just "watch TV." Hugo noted the shift in her demeanor. Without comment, he quietly left the kitchen. The two in the living room watched a full episode in silence. Darcy checked the time, then turned to Hugo. "You must be very busy. Since you're back in town, I'm sure your family wants to see you. Why not..." Loss flickered in Hugo's eyes. A bitter smile touched his lips. "So, you're asking me to leave? Again?"Darcy decided on directness. "My stance has been clear. What you're doing is causing me real distress." Hugo's hands, resting on his knees, slowly clenched into fists. His eyes began to redden. He took a steadying breath and picked up his suit jacket. "I'm sorry for causing you distress. It won't happen again. "But... would you mind walking me downstairs? One last time?" Darcy pressed her lips together, then nodded. "Alright." Even if they couldn't be a couple, they could still be friends. No need to make it ugly. It was a sweltering summer afternoon. The cicadas were a deafening chorus in the apartment complex. Hugo's car was parked under a large oak tree, not far from the main entrance.