Zane's eyes darted away, avoiding the piercing gaze. He stiffened his neck. "Who are you talking about? I don't know. And put the gun down. Careful, you'll misfire and hurt someone. You know guns are banned here." Jethro's laugh was humorless. "Playing dumb, are we? Bring him in." A large, sunglass-wearing man dragged Ines forward. His face was a mess of bruises and cuts, not an inch of skin untouched. "Ines—" Zane's forehead throbbed with veins, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. He glared at Jethro, the architect of this. Ines managed a pained, bitter smile. "Zane, I'm sorry. I had no choice. If I didn't talk, he was going to tear my family's legacy apart, root and stem." His words were slurred, his speech labored, but Zane understood. He closed his eyes. "It's my fault. I dragged you into this." "Zane, just give it up. Tell us where Darcy is." A familiar voice. Zane's eyes snapped open. Standing there was Hugo. His body went rigid. Hugo had entered from behind the armed men and now stood beside Jethro. The message was clear—they were allies. The three of them, once the closest of friends, were now standing on opposite sides of a chasm. A sour, hollow ache filled Zane's chest, leaving him speechless. "Zane, don't make this worse. Your mom's waiting for you at home," Hugo said, taking two steps forward, his tone pleading. "I saw her before we left. Her mental state is not good." Hugo knew the only person who could get through to Zane right now was his mother. From childhood, Zane's single, driving goal had been to never disappoint her.Olena's ambition was to secure a place in the Vance Group, to make everyone who ever looked down on them eat their words. Zane had made her ambition his life's purpose. He lived and breathed her expectations. Zane remained silent for a long moment, then murmured, "What about my dad? Is he good to her?" Hugo's lips pressed into a thin line. "I've heard your dad is being unusually attentive to his new secretary." Zane's eyes widened slightly, his jaw clenching. He spat out a single, venomous word, "Bastard." Jethro raised an eyebrow. "Ah. So it runs in the family. I should have guessed." A vein pulsed on Zane's forehead. He tightened his right fist, then suddenly laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You think I don't see what you're doing? Bringing up my mom to manipulate me? Well, it won't work! Hah!""What's in your right hand?" Jethro's gaze sharpened, focusing on Zane's clenched fist. Hugo noticed it too. He stepped forward, pried Zane's fingers open, and held the small vial up to the light. It was a pharmaceutical bottle, already opened and used, now less than half full. Hugo's face paled. "It's been used. On who? Darcy?" Jethro's expression turned glacial. "Where is she?" he demanded, his voice dangerously low. Zane showed no fear, his face a mask of defiant resignation. "Go ahead. Shoot me. I dare you. A life without her is no life at all." "Spare us the tragic hero act. There's no audience for your performance here!" "Just do it! No more talking! I'd rather die than let you have her!" Jethro's finger tightened on the trigger, his eyes deep with lethal intent. Zane slowly closed his eyes, accepting his fate.Fine. Darcy left first. I'll follow right behind. I'll keep her company on the other side. She won't be alone. If luck plays nice, maybe we'll reincarnate together and meet again. It's perfect. Even in death, she's mine. No one will ever take her from me again. But then, Jethro leaned in close, his voice a chilling whisper. "My people discovered something. Your mom opened a beauty salon. Apparently, it does a little side business. What do you think happens if I send someone to report it? Maybe your mother will be... set for life. Just not sure if she's so used to comfort she can handle prison." Zane's eyes flew open, burning crimson with fury. He thrashed against the man holding him. "You sick bastard! You come at me! Leave her out of this!" "Then tell me the truth! My patience is thin. I'll count to three. If you don't talk, I'm making that call." Jethro kicked him to the floor.Hugo moved closer, his voice urgent. "Zane, enough! Where is Darcy?" Winded and in agony, Zane curled into a ball on the floor, his face ashen. "Darcy... she... she jumped. Into the sea. I was going to go after her, but then I saw you coming... I didn't have time..." He didn't get to finish. Jethro's boot connected with his ribs again. The man known for his cool composure had utterly shattered. Rage blazed in his eyes. "You piece of shit! You dare say you love her, and then you let her jump and think about running?!" He unleashed several more brutal punches. Blood immediately began to stream from a gash on Zane's forehead. Hugo grabbed Jethro's arm, pulling him back. "Enough! Priority isn't teaching him a lesson. We need to find her now!" A sliver of clarity returned to Jethro's wild eyes. He stumbled back, swaying slightly, then turned and rushed for the door, his voice a broken whisper. "Darcy... hold on. I'm coming..."