Sure enough, where there is a genius plotter, there is always a reckless sidekick. Honestly, those two? One had been bold enough to spout it, the other had been dumb enough to buy it hook, line, and sinker! Darcy crossed her arms and looked at Cindy, teasing, "How do you know tech guys look all prim and proper, but deep down, they're spicy as hell? Is this from personal experience?" Gwen also caught on. "Yeah! Weren't you single your whole life too? How do you know so much?" Cindy rubbed her nose, laughing awkwardly, "You don't have to be a chef to know good food when you see it. There's a ton of tutorials online. A quick scroll is enough to learn a thing or two." Darcy shook her head helplessly. "Don't lead her astray." She then said to Gwen, "Listen to me. Get something practical and not too expensive. Bram is a simple, straightforward person. He doesn't get all those subtle hints and games." Cindy pulled Gwen aside. "Your old strategy didn't work. Time for a new one. You buy him the underwear, then use the excuse of checking the fit to ask him to send you a try-on pic." Darcy sensed the conversation was about to veer into dangerous territory and tried to cover Cindy's mouth, but it was too late. That way, you'll know if he's any good in bed. If not, just stop chasing him. Gwen's face was crimson, but her logical mind was still online. She weakly retorted, "But size andperformance are two different things." Darcy and Gwen froze. It was at this moment that Annie and her group appeared. "Cindy?" Annie spotted Cindy first and walked over with a smile to greet her. They had grown up together. While not particularly close, they often hung out on weekends as kids.Later, when she and Jethro officially started dating, her relationship with Cindy grew closer due to Jethro. For some reason, though, Cindy always kept a certain distance, and they never became true confidantes. Since returning, she'd heard Cindy and Darcy were getting tight—like bestie-level. She hadn't believed it. But now, seeing them out shopping together, bantering and joking, Annie had to admit those two were closer than normal. Faced with Annie's deliberate attempt to be friendly, Cindy frowned. Annie's smile tightened slightly at the corners. She proactively explained, "The recognition banquet is in a few days. I'm here to buy Jett some proper clothes. I heard the guests are all from wealthy or influential families. I can't let him embarrass the Blackwoods." Though her words were directed at Cindy, her gaze kept drifting subtly towards Darcy, as if silently showing off.Darcy merely raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable, seemingly indifferent to Annie's words. Annie then took Jett's hand and said to him softly, "Jett, this is your daddy's sister. Call her Auntie." Jett looked obediently at Cindy. "Hello, Auntie." "Hold on, I'm not your auntie." Cindy frowned in displeasure, taking two steps back. "Call whoever acknowledges you. I don't acknowledge you, so don't call me that." Jett pursed his lips, his eyes downcast with disappointment. Annie saw the change in her son's expression and felt a pang of heartache. "Cindy, issues between adults shouldn't involve children. Please don't take it out on Jett." Cindy scoffed coldly, "Oh, so it'smy problem now? Who permitted you to have him call me that? Whoever in the Blackwood family tolerates you two, go bother them. Don't come annoying me!"That landed hard, no mercy. The rims of Annie's eyes turned red, tears welling up. "Cindy, we used to get along so well. I don't know why you're treating me like this now. Is it—did someone say something about me to you?" Her sidelong glance at Darcy was pointed. "Maybe someone deliberately slandered me in front of you. Don't fall for it and ruin our over-a-decade-long friendship." Darcy was almost amused. She might as well have said my name outright. "Ms. Roby, this 'someone' you mentioned wouldn't happen to be me, would you?" Darcy asked directly. Annie was taken aback, not expecting Darcy to be so blunt. She bit her lip. "Ms. Gale, that's not what I meant. Please don't misunderstand." Darcy let out an understanding "Oh," her smile bright. "You kept looking my way, so I thought you meant me. Since it's not, that's good. Seems I misunderstood you."Annie was stunned. She had intended to make Cindy suspicious of Darcy's motives, but she hadn't expected Darcy to clear herself of suspicion with just two sentences. Annie's smile tightened imperceptibly. Cindy, already irritated by Annie, was even more disgusted by her thinly veiled insinuations. "Darcy, let's go." Cindy took Darcy's hand and turned to leave. Gwen stuck her tongue out at Annie and her son before happily following them. Ignored and humiliated, Annie was seething with suppressed anger. She directed all her fury at Darcy. You bitch. It must be you, poisoning Cindy's mind against me. Annie tightened her grip on Jett's small hand and lifted her brows at him.