Brandon hesitated. "That one at the very back. But that horse only arrived a week ago. The trainer hasn't fully tamed it yet." "Mr. Cole, I'll be honest. While studying abroad, I placed first in a Royal Equestrian competition," Zora said with a smile. The implication was clear—she could handle even the most difficult horse. Brandon's eyes lit up instantly. "Incredible, Dr. Moss! You've got killer achievements in academia, and your hobbies are just as impressive." And so, the two women mounted their horses and began a slow circuit around the field. Blue sky, white clouds, green grass. Techwood was in the southern region, and the temperature was pleasant. Riding was truly enjoyable. Darcy held the reins, nervous at first. But seeing the horse was gentle, she gradually relaxed. She closed her eyes, savoring the beauty of nature. "Ms. Gale, are you sure you won't reconsider coming back?" Zora, riding beside her, suddenly turned her head and asked. Darcy opened her eyes and looked at her. This time, she didn't rush to refuse. Instead, she countered with a question. "Do you know the nature of my relationship with Zane?" Zora raised an eyebrow. "What relationship?" In that instant, Darcy understood. Zora had known all along that she and Zane were a couple. She couldn't help but frown. "You knew, yet you still want me to come back? Doesn't that bother you?" Zora smiled, "Why should it? It's normal that you liked Zane. He's handsome, wealthy, and capable. As long as he only has me in his heart from now on, I don't mind the past." "How magnanimous of you, Dr. Moss," Darcy said with a cold laugh. "But I mind." Zora raised an eyebrow. "Ms. Gale, if I were you, I would choose to return." "Oh? Why is that?" Darcy watched her calmly. "As an ordinary person, dreaming of marrying into a family like the Blackwoods is pure fantasy. If you return to SummitCore, besides a salary increase, I'll have Zane grant you stock options. When the company goes public next year, your net worth will skyrocket. You'll earn far more than you ever could at Stratagem." Darcy fell silent. Truly, birds of a feather flock together. Before, she had thought Zora was unaware of her past with Zane, a victim of circumstance. Now she realized she was wrong. Zora not only knew, but it was highly likely she had planned it all along. The thought was chilling... A cold shiver ran down Darcy's spine. What is this woman's real goal? Did she appear just to steal Zane?Her intuition told her no. There must be a bigger scheme. Seeing her expression, Zora thought Darcy was reconsidering. She was about to press further when Darcy spoke. "Although I've repeatedly told Mr. Vance that I will not return, it seems he is hard of hearing. Perfect timing—please convey this message to him for me. I will never, ever return to SummitCore in this lifetime. "Also, I'd like to clarify two things. First, I have never harbored any fantasies about the Blackwood family. My relationship with Mr. Blackwood is purely that of superior and subordinate. Second, who says SummitCore can go public next year?" A faint, mocking smile touched her lips. She leaned down and said to the stable hand, "If possible, I'd like to pick up the pace a bit." The stable hand agreed and immediately quickened the pace, leaving Zora behind. Zora's eyes instantly turned cold, rage boiling within her.How ungrateful! A nobody with a normal college degree, who only got this far because Zane took a chance on her—without the platform SummitCore provided, how could she have jumped to the Blackwood Group? The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Her grip on the reins tightened. Suddenly, the horse beneath her spooked, its front legs rearing high into the air. Zora had placed first in a Royal Equestrian competition, but that certificate was bought. In reality, her equestrian skills were barely passable! Instinctively, Zora tried to control the reins to steady the horse, but it didn't listen to her at all. The panicked horse charged forward wildly. The commotion spooked Darcy's horse as well. The stable hand lost his grip on the reins. Across the vast riding field, two horses began to gallop at full speed. The riders on their backs swayed perilously. The stable hand immediately turned and ran back, shouting, "Emergency! The horses are spooked and out of control! Someone, come quick!" On the viewing platform, Zane, disregarding the injury on his hand, immediately mounted a horse and gave chase. He was the most skilled rider present. Cindy and Brandon could only call for help on their phones. Zane caught up quickly. Closest to him was Darcy. Pale with fear, she clung desperately to the horse. Seeing Zane approach, her eyes widened with desperate hope, her lips trembling. "H-help..." "Zane! Help me, help me!" The cry came from Zora ahead. Zane's heart wrestled with the choice for a few seconds. Then, gritting his teeth, he urged his horse past Darcy.He raced ahead, took control of Zora's reins, and pulled her tightly into his arms. The light in Darcy's eyes went out in an instant. She closed her eyes in despair... But the imagined scene of being thrown from the horse, her bones shattered, never came. Instead, she felt a warm, hard chest press against her back.