Hugo, sitting across from her, could tell. He looked down, took two keychains from his pocket, and placed them on the table. Darcy was inwardly startled. She turned and grabbed her bag from beside her. The spot where the keychain had been was empty. "It fell in my car last time," Hugo explained calmly. "Sorry, I just noticed." Darcy reached for them. The old one was clearly hers, but the new one beside it... She wasn't sure. Hugo pushed the new one forward as well. "This one's for you." He feigned casualness. "Restaurant promotion. Dine, get a free trinket." The waitress at a nearby table was surprised. What promotion? When did that start?Since it was a "free gift," Darcy accepted it. "I'll go settle the bill." "Alright. I'll come with you." They walked toward the entrance one after the other. A young woman at the next table raised her hand. "Waitress? Do you have more of those keychains? I'd like one too." The waitress was speechless. Bill settled, Darcy and Hugo walked toward the parking lot. At their cars, he paused and looked at her. "I enjoyed talking tonight. Thanks for dinner." Darcy smiled slightly, "You're welcome." A gust of wind blew, ruffling her sleek hair. She lowered her head to smooth it, looking calm and quiet. Hugo stared, Adam's apple bobbing before he caught himself, rooted to the spot."Mr. Sterling, goodbye." Darcy opened her car door and drove away without a backward glance. Hugo remained in place for a long moment before finally opening his own car door. ... That weekend, Hugo arrived on time, as usual, to pick up Gwen. Today, he'd deliberately come half an hour early. Before leaving, he'd even taken extra care with his appearance at home. His mother noticed and joked to her husband, "Your son is preening like a peacock. Must have his eye on someone." His father, focused on a soccer game, glanced at his son's back. "Well, look at that. He's finally catching on. Your wish for a grandchild might come true." His mother said without much hope, "Let's see." At Quest University, Hugo parked and headed straight to the library's third floor. Scanning the room, he finally spotted Gwen. He pulled out the chair and sat beside her, but didn't see the other familiar figure. "Whoa, why so early today?" Gwen hugged his arm, acting cute. Hugo tapped her forehead lightly. "Mind your manners." Then he asked casually, "Studying alone?" "Yep." Hugo pressed his lips together, silent. Gwen's round eyes sparkled with sudden understanding. "You're wondering why Darcy isn't here, right?" Her long lashes fluttered like butterflies. Hugo casually picked up a book and flipped through it. "No." "But," he closed the book, "if you feel like telling me, go ahead."Gwen was speechless. She hadn't realized her cousin could be this subtle! Typical Scorpio man! Gwen didn't speak. She opened her phone and sent a link to Hugo. "I'll tell you if you buy this for me." "What?" Hugo clicked the link. It was for a singer's concert. "VIP seats! Two tickets!" Gwen held up two fingers. Hugo raised an eyebrow. "Two? Who are you going with?" "With Bram." Bram didn't have many hobbies, except listening to music. If Gwen wanted to get on his good side, this was her chance. She'd planned to buy them herself, but with her cousin here—why not milk it? Hugo didn't ask further. He paid immediately. Then he leaned back in his chair comfortably and glanced at his cousin. "Done." "Thanks, Hugo!" Gwen was sweet, but aside from these words, she offered nothing else. Hugo cleared his throat softly and glanced at her. Gwen deliberately teased him. "Weren't you the one who said you didn't care?" Hugo lowered his eyes, his tone cool. "I think these tickets might be refundable." "No!" Gwen gritted her teeth, stomping her foot lightly. "Fine, I'll tell you. "Darcy and Bram went to see Prof. Reed." Hugo frowned. "Darcy knows Prof. Reed?" "Yeah. Didn't you know? Darcy is Prof. Reed's long-lamented student. I heard that when she was an undergrad, she got a bunch of certifications and patents under his guidance. Later, she even got into his grad program, but for some reason, she didn't enroll. He's held on to that regret ever since. Good thing she's come around now." That was news to Hugo—Darcy and Alistair had that kind of connection. No wonder she was so capable. "Gwen, keep this to yourself." Gwen pouted, complaining, "Are you in some secret agency? Why does everything have to be a secret?"