There was a shopping mall near Stratagem Tech. It wasn't far, and biking there was convenient. Having decided this, Darcy slung her bag over her shoulder and headed straight for the elevator. She didn't expect to run into Jethro inside. She nodded respectfully. "Mr. Blackwood." Jethro reached out a long arm to hold the elevator door, one hand in his pocket as he looked at her with a smile. "How did your mom's surgery go? Was it successful?" "Yes, it went very well. I'm just heading to the mall to buy some things to bring to her." "Perfect timing, then. I'm driving past that mall. I can give you a lift." "That's not necessary. I'll bike; it's quick." Darcy declined his offer. As her boss, he had already been very accommodating at work. She didn't want to trouble him with minor personal errands.Jethro just smiled. "Don't stand on ceremony. Come on, we'll go straight down to B1." Now that he'd said that, Darcy felt it would be rude to refuse again and nodded in agreement. The lighting in the underground parking level was dim, and the parking zones were laid out in a confusing maze. Worried Darcy might get lost, Jethro deliberately slowed his pace. Beside the Rolls-Royce, Jethro proactively opened the passenger door for her. Darcy, who had been planning to sit in the back, paused. "What's wrong?" Jethro raised a brow. Darcy pressed her lips together and decided to be direct. "Mr. Blackwood, do you have a girlfriend?" She knew he wasn't married—as the CEO and a major shareholder of the Blackwood Group, that information was public. But whether he had a girlfriend was unclear.If he did, sitting in the passenger seat might be inappropriate. The sudden question caught Jethro off guard. Then, realizing her concern, he shook his head. "Don't worry, I don't have a girlfriend. I do have a sister who loves riding shotgun, though." He finished with a gentlemanly "after you" gesture. Once Darcy buckled her seatbelt, she asked curiously, "A sister? Your biological sister? Does she also work at the Blackwood Group?" Jethro made a sound of affirmation, his hands turning the wheel as the Rolls-Royce glided out of the garage. "I forgot to mention. Cindy Blackwood—my sister—is an Account Manager at Stratagem Tech. She's returning from a business trip next week. You'll meet her then." Cindy? Darcy mentally reviewed Stratagem's organizational chart and recalled the name. "Oh, Cindy!" "Yes. She grew up overseas and is very... free-spirited. Stubborn, with a mind of her own. No one in the family can control her." Speaking of his rebellious, unpredictable sister, Jethro looked utterly helpless. Even Darcy was amused. "Actually, Stratagem was originally set up as a startup playground for her," Jethro explained. "But she's flighty. She lost interest after just six months and dropped it. "I thought the company had potential, so I took it over. I just let her keep the Account Manager title to handle some existing clients. "But she's spoiled. I don't expect any great achievements from her. I'd be thankful if she just doesn't offend the clients." Jethro looked genuinely troubled. Darcy smiled faintly. That explains it. That was the reason why Stratagem, backed by the powerful Blackwood Group, hadn't taken off. The neon lights outside flickered, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow into the car. Her brown hair shifted with the movement of her shoulders, her eyes smiling. She looked completely different from her composed, professional self at the office. Watching her profile, Jethro felt a light, feathery tickle in his heart. His fingers tightened imperceptibly on the steering wheel, and he looked away from her face. The car stopped by the mall's back entrance. Darcy thanked him and got out. He watched her enter through the revolving doors before driving away. ... "Kaia, what are you looking at?" Zora tugged her arm, following her gaze. "Oh, n-nothing." Kaia snapped out of it and smiled at Zora. "Let's go in."As she turned, she couldn't help but glance back once more, sighing in relief when she confirmed Darcy was gone. It must have been a trick of the light. I thought I saw Darcy getting out of another man's car. Impossible. Everyone who knew Darcy knew that the only man she loved—had ever loved—was Zane. She'd even given up her graduate school offer just to stay with him. When Kaia first heard about it, she'd complained to Ione that Darcy was being foolish. But it turned out Darcy's judgment was sound. Zane's startup succeeded, the Vance family semi-accepted him, and he'd been thriving these past few years. It looked like Darcy's status was about to rise accordingly. By all rights, Kaia should be happy for her. After all, they were best friends, having grown up together. Even her own job at SummitCore was secured because Darcy asked Zane for a favor. But... Kaia bit her lip. At some point, she realized her feelings toward Darcy were dominated more by jealousy than anything else. Since they were kids, Darcy had always been better than her—better grades, prettier, and even her boyfriend was top-tier. Meanwhile, Kaia had a difficult childhood. Although she was luckily adopted by Ione, and later recognized by the up-and-coming Lark family, she still hadn't achieved the life she wanted. Now, she lived in constant fear that the Larks would use her as a pawn in a marriage alliance. So, when Zora appeared, Kaia's feelings underwent a subtle shift. If Darcy were to lose Zane... then maybe I wouldn't seem so lacking in comparison! Thinking this, Kaia happily linked arms with Zora. "Dr. Moss, I know a clothing store that's super chic. It would be perfect for you." Zora smiled. "Great, let's go." "Dr. Moss, you're so nice. I thought someone as amazing as you wouldn't bother shopping with someone like me." "I'm not that amazing. I just studied a bit longer. In every other way, I'm just an ordinary girl." Zora tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, smiling modestly at the praise. Kaia shook her head. "No way! You have a PhD! And from a top-ranked university abroad! You're the most impressive person I know!" "Really? More impressive than your best friend?" Zora raised a brow playfully. Kaia stopped walking, the smile tightening on her lips. "I'm joking, don't take it seriously," Zora quickly said, her demeanor humble. "I truly admire Ms. Gale. She brings in so much business for the company single-handedly. She must be an incredible woman. I'm all theory, no practice—a typical 'bookworm.' I definitely can't compare to Ms. Gale." But Kaia didn't see it that way. She shook her head vigorously. "Dr. Moss, don't put yourself down like that! You're far more impressive than Darcy! "Education? She only has a bachelor's degree, and you have a PhD from abroad. Family? You're the only daughter of the prestigious Moss family in Aethelburg. Darcy grew up in a single-parent household and had to work part-time through college. Career? She might have closed some deals, but you're just starting out. Your potential is much higher than hers. "Besides, she's just in sales. She doesn't understand anything beyond marketing. But you're different! You understand finance, you can code, and you know our product inside out. You're easily worth three of her!" Zora laughed, "Really? You'd better not be lying to me!" "I swear! Cross my heart!" Kaia insisted. They walked off, unaware that Darcy had just stepped out from the side of the mall entrance, having heard every word.