Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 102

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks 102**
**Chapter 102: The Unreceived Mediation Notice**

The morning unfolded slowly in the meeting room, where Darcy and Cade sat surrounded by stacks of reports and the hum of the fluorescent lights above. They were deep in discussion, analyzing the recent advancements of their project, and Darcy was determined to ensure everything was on track.

Meanwhile, in another part of the office, Jax lingered near the water cooler, his mind elsewhere. As he filled his cup, he cast a furtive glance toward the conference room, where he spotted Darcy and Cade through the glass wall. A sneer twisted his lips, a visceral reaction to the sight of them working together.

With a scowl etched on his face, he carried his cup back to his desk, his thoughts swirling. His eyes darted toward the reception area, and there it was—a letter lying innocuously on the front desk, addressed to none other than Darcy.

The sender’s name sent a thrill through him: The Labor Dispute Arbitration Commission.

A spark of excitement ignited in Jax’s chest. He quickly scanned the area, ensuring no one was watching, then deftly sidestepped the security camera’s gaze and slipped the letter into his pocket.

Once he was safely ensconced in the stairwell, he felt the adrenaline rush through him as he tore open the envelope. What he found inside was a mediation notice.

“Ha! I knew there was something off about that woman!” he thought, a triumphant smile creeping across his face. “Daring to join Stratagem Tech while still bound by that non-compete with Summit Core? She’s got some serious nerve.”

His mind raced with possibilities. The urge to rush to the top floor and expose Darcy to Jethro surged within him, but a moment of clarity halted him. If he informed Jethro now, it would surely alert Darcy, giving her the chance to cover her tracks.

No, he decided, this time he would ensure Darcy was out for good. A wicked idea formed in his mind. He tore the letter into tiny, confetti-like pieces and tossed them down the trash chute, watching them disappear.

If she never received the mediation notice, she couldn’t participate. The other party would be furious, abandoning mediation entirely and heading straight for a lawsuit. And when Darcy failed to respond, the arbitration panel would see her in a negative light, swaying their judgment in favor of Summit Core.

“Gotcha, Darcy. You’re finished this time,” he thought, a dark satisfaction settling in his chest.

As he returned to the office, he nearly collided with Darcy as she emerged from the conference room. Jax stiffened, forcing a tight smile onto his lips. “Ms. Gale.”

Cade, watching the encounter unfold, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Weird. I smell a rat. Ms. Gale, you should be careful around him.”

At that moment, Darcy couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that she should heed Cindy’s whispered warnings about the strange coincidences surrounding their business dealings.

How could it be that both companies were simultaneously targeting the same client? The thought lingered in her mind, but there were more pressing matters at hand.

“Cade,” she instructed, her tone shifting to business mode, “the ProsperLink Fund contract is nearing finalization. Even though our team is only responsible for a portion, I’ve projected that we’ll need seven or eight people to manage the workload effectively. We’re clearly understaffed. We need to reach out to Group HR to start recruiting, and I’ll need your help with that.”

As she spoke, a pang of guilt washed over her. She had been relying heavily on Cade, a pre-sales manager, as if he were her personal assistant.

“You’ve been working really hard lately,” she confessed, her voice softening. “I’ve been thinking it might be time to hire a dedicated assistant to help me. You—”

Before she could finish her thought, Cade’s expression shifted dramatically, disappointment flickering across his face.

“Ms. Gale… do you think I’m not capable?” he asked, his voice laced with hurt.

“What? Of course not!” Darcy exclaimed, taken aback by his reaction. “I’m just concerned you might be overworked.”

“I’m not tired at all!” Cade insisted, his tone earnest. “Honestly, I’ve learned more in these past months working with you than I have in the last three years combined. I’m thrilled, not tired!”

“My apologies. Let me check. The courier might have left it at reception without notifying me,” she said, trying to sound composed.

The voice on the other end was growing impatient. “Forget it. Since you failed to respond in time, the other party has withdrawn from mediation. They’re proceeding directly to arbitration. I’m calling to inform you that the official arbitration notice will arrive next week. Don’t miss that one too.”

“Understood,” Darcy replied, her mind racing with the implications of this news.

The arbitration officer, taken aback by her calm demeanor, hesitated before offering a suggestion. “You can hire a lawyer. The relevant documentation can also be prepared by legal counsel.”

He had nearly mentioned that this could improve her chances but thought better of it, recalling the documents he had seen. It was better not to raise her hopes.

What chances does she even have?

During mediation, she could have negotiated the penalty down, but now? That three-million-dollar fine was a done deal.

The officer sighed, “That’s all I can say.”

Darcy smiled slightly, her resolve hardening. “Thank you for your consideration. But I was planning to refuse mediation anyway. This doesn’t change much for me.”

The officer was momentarily stunned by her confidence.

After hanging up, Darcy headed to the front desk, her mind racing. “Lena, have there been any letters for me in the past week?”