He snorted coldly, "Darcy, don't overestimate your importance." Darcy wasn't intimidated. She pulled out her phone. "I'll call the Aethelburg Bank project manager right now. I'd love to hear exactly where I was unresponsive, dismissive, or yelled at them." Jasper frowned. "Questioning the client wasn't enough, now you're questioning me? Darcy, who gives you the right? Jethro? Hah. Don't think you can run amok in this company just because of your affair with him!" Tsk. She'd heard this song before. Same blame-shifting routine as last night. Darcy suddenly understood. There was no real complaint letter. If Aethelburg Bank was truly unhappy, given her rapport with Edmund, he would have called her directly. It was obvious—Jasper was abusing his power for personal revenge, using this as an excuse to get back at her for Annie. Thinking this, Darcy gave a cold laugh, her eyes on Jasper. "Mr. Blackwood, let's not beat around the bush. I know you're doing this for Annie. So, what do you want to do?" Jasper pressed his lips together, his gaze shifting uncomfortably. "I don't know what you're talking about. But a client complaint is something I have to take seriously." Seeing he was still putting on a show, Darcy arched a brow. "So?" Jasper sat up straight. "I am formally notifying you. You are suspended for three months. We will reassess after three months, once the client's anger has subsided." Darcy was almost impressed. For Annie, Jasper was willing to go this far. What a fool! It seemed someone's suspicions were right. Those two really did have a big, fat problem. Before Darcy could say anything, her phone rang. She answered casually. It was the head of a client company inquiring about the AI project. Darcy gave an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. My boss has just informed me of a three-month suspension. I'm afraid I won't be able to follow up on the AI project for now." Jasper froze, his face darkening as he glared at Darcy. Darcy deliberately ignored his sour expression. She spread her hands. What? Am I not stating facts? As soon as she hung up, the phone rang again—another client, also asking about the AI project. Darcy told them the truth. The client was shocked, fell silent for a long moment, then said, "In that case, we'll pause our procurement as well. We'll reconsider once you're reinstated." Jasper gritted his teeth. "Are you doing this on purpose?" "On purpose?" Darcy blinked, feigning confusion. "Didn'tyou just say you were suspending me for three months?"She stood up, stretching lazily. "Perfect timing. I've worked for years without a proper break. I'll treat these three months as a long vacation." At the door, she turned back to Jasper. "Oh, and about that three-month suspension? Please send me an official email notification. Otherwise, if I don't show up tomorrow, you might accuse me of willful absenteeism." "You—!" Jasper's face was ugly, but Darcy closed the door with a snap, leaving him alone in the vast conference room. Humiliated and furious, Jasper swept all the files off the table. A few days later, news of Darcy's suspension spread quietly through the industry. Clients who had been queuing up to work with Stratagem Tech hesitated upon hearing the news. Everyone knew Stratagem Tech's recent success was largely due to Darcy. Now that she was gone, was Stratagem Tech still a viable partner?Moreover, a company that didn't cherish its biggest contributor but instead suppressed her—was such a company even trustworthy? And clients already under contract began finding excuses to pause cooperation. Jasper was frantic. He called clients to ask why they were suspending cooperation. They hemmed and hawed, unwilling to give a straight answer. He had no choice but to visit them in person. But after a week of effort, the results were minimal. Clients remained tight-lipped, insisting on pausing their contracts. As dusk settled, Jasper sat in his car, half his face hidden in the dim light, exhaustion etched into his features. It was then that his grandfather's call came through. "Hello, Grandpa?" Arthur's voice came through. "Jasper, I've heard there's been some trouble at the company recently. A falling out with a subordinate?" Jasper irritably tugged at his tie. "Grandpa, did someone complain to you?" He instinctively thought his cousin had gone to Arthur. Arthur was taken aback. "The board members told me." Jasper gritted his teeth. "The board members have too much time on their hands. Don't worry, Grandpa, I can handle this." Arthur paused for a moment, his tone grave. "Jasper, don't be rash. If there's something you can't handle, go to your cousin. He'll help you." Jasper snorted inwardly. Help me? More likely, he's laughing at me behind my back right now. He clenched his fist. He didn't need anyone's help. Meanwhile, Darcy was leisurely vacationing on a warm tropical island.Unlike the suddenly chilly Aethelburg, the island remained pleasantly warm.