This time, it wasn't just baseless gossip from the paparazzi. There were pictures. Instantly, online forums and social media buzzed with discussion. [Whoa, is this the Blackwood family from Aethelburg? I know their heir! Dude's crazy handsome!] [For real. Even in this blurry side-profile pic, his looks are undeniable. I'm impressed.] [Pfft. So what if he's rich and good-looking? He's still a deadbeat with no morals. Judging by the kid's age, Mr. Blackwood must have knocked someone up when he was way too young.] [Facts. The kid's mom showed up, and Mr. Blackwood tried to hush it up with a check when he realized he couldn't hide it.] The gossip tsunami didn't just rock the internet; it created massive waves within the Blackwood Group offices as well."Ahem." Rowan cleared his throat loudly, standing up and bowing his head slightly. "Mr. Blackwood." The heated whispers swirling through the executive floor died instantly. Employees scattered like startled birds. Rowan stole a cautious glance at his boss. Surprisingly, Jethro's expression was calm, almost detached. Huh. That's not the reaction I expected. Has he not seen the news? Or... is it because the story is actually true? Rowan's eye twitched violently. If it's the latter, then what about him and Ms. Gale? He sighed inwardly and sank back into his chair. "Is Jethro in?!" A forceful, feminine voice rang out from the entrance.The already quiet office plunged into absolute silence. Only one person would dare shout the boss' name in the office like that... Rowan steeled himself and stood up again. "Ms. Blackwood. He's inside." He gestured toward the CEO's office door beside him. The next second, Cindy didn't bother with pleasantries, shoved the door open, and stormed in. Anyone who didn't know better would think she'd come to collect a debt. Thud! She flung her designer handbag onto the sofa, planted her hands on her hips, and pointed an accusatory finger at the man behind the massive desk. "Jethro! Look at you! A secret love child? Really? "And not only that, but you had to go and meet the mother and kid with a checkbook! "Meet them, fine! But you got yourself caught by reporters and splashed all over the news! "And on top of that, you're doing nothing! Letting that scandal fester on the trending lists! "Hello?! Did you forget you have a girlfriend? Just because you two are keeping it under wraps doesn't mean you can trash Darcy like that. I've got her back!" Cindy was fuming. She'd taken a few days off, barely checking her phone. On her way back to work today, stuck in traffic, what did she see on her feed? Photos of her brother with his alleged love child. Topping the trending charts with massive engagement. Her world had tilted on its axis. She'd slammed the gas pedal, blowing through who-knows-how-many red lights to get here and demand an explanation. Damn him!Jethro finally glanced up at his sister, ignoring her barrage of questions. Instead, he asked, "What were you doing on your days off? And why haven't you been home lately?" Cindy was thrown. "You have the nerve to ask aboutme? Worry about yourself first!" Jethro twirled a pen idly. "Zephyr also took leave recently. The dates match yours. What a coincidence." Cindy's retort died in her throat. A flicker of guilt crossed her face, but she stubbornly lifted her chin. "A dozen people at the company took the same day off as me! Nationwide, there must be tens, if not hundreds of thousands, who did the same!" She cleared her throat. "Ahem! We're talking aboutyour mess. Stop deflecting! Oh, I get it—you're trying to change the subject!" Gritting her teeth, she plopped into the chair opposite his desk, facing him down. "Explain the trending scandal. And it's not just me. Mom will be storming in here any minute." Jethro crossed his long legs, his tone flat. "While you were away, Mom went on a business trip. She won't be back for a while." "You... you...!" Cindy was infuriated by his unflappable demeanor. Jethro shrugged. "What's done is done. Talking won't change it. I'll find a way to handle it appropriately." Appropriately? "How?" Cindy let out a bitter laugh at his calm response. "And what if Darcy doesn't forgive you?" The air in the office grew still for a moment. Jethro looked down. "I'm prepared to accept any outcome." Cindy was stunned anew. Was her brother just giving up? Rolling over and playing dead? "You jerk!" She finally exploded. "If I'd known you were like this, I would never have pushed you and Darcy together!" "You're... you're actually worse than Zane!" she spat out, finally finding a suitable comparison. With that final insult, she whirled around and slammed the office door behind her. Jethro allowed himself a rueful, weary smile. Even with preparation, being denounced like this didn't feel good. Cindy stormed out, her high heels clicking angrily on the marble floor all the way to the lower floors. As she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with Zephyr, who was stepping out to get water. His expression shifted immediately upon seeing her. He gently pulled her in by the arm. "Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?"