Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 17

**Chapter 17: He’s the Real Culprit**

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“That’s absolutely not true! Darcy has been juggling so much, darting between home and the hospital. She’s completely worn out!” Ione interjected, her voice laced with a protective fervor for her daughter.

Yet, as she spoke, she was also mindful of Kaia, the other daughter she had nurtured with equal care. Her tone was not harsh, but rather an attempt to balance her feelings, a mother’s instinct to defend while remaining fair.

Kaia crossed her arms defiantly, her lips curling into a pout. “She’s not even working right now! What exactly is keeping her so busy?” The challenge in her voice was unmistakable, a hint of sibling rivalry bubbling beneath the surface.

“The engagement ceremony for your sister and Zane is just around the corner, next month to be precise. There’s an avalanche of details to sort out. I’m not in the best shape to assist her, and Zane is swamped with his own commitments. Everything is resting on your sister’s shoulders,” Ione explained, her tone softening as she recognized the weight of the situation.

Kaia couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

Engagement ceremony? Who can say if it’ll even take place?

The whispers around the office were loud and clear—everyone knew of Zane and Zora’s closeness.

Rumors had circulated that Zora was Zane’s childhood crush, a tale of “childhood sweethearts reunited” that seemed to have taken on a life of its own.

Kaia found herself believing it too, the narrative weaving itself into her thoughts.

Darcy had been mooning over Zane for years, yet he had remained elusive. But the moment Zora entered the picture, it was as if all of Zane’s attention had shifted entirely to her.

That’s the undeniable allure of first love.

Darcy simply couldn’t hold a candle to Zora—not in beauty, intellect, or family standing.

If given the choice, even a blind man would choose Zora!

This realization brought an unexpected grin to Kaia’s face.

If Darcy gets dumped…

Then I won’t appear so inadequate by comparison.

A sense of equilibrium washed over her, a refreshing balance that she hadn’t realized she craved.

Ione, oblivious to the tangled web of thoughts spinning in Kaia’s mind, ventured gently, “Kaia, have you been particularly busy lately?” Her curiosity was genuine, though she hesitated, fearing that Kaia might misinterpret her concern as criticism.

Kaia paused, contemplating her response. “Yes, I’ve been rather occupied.”

Busy currying favor with Dr. Moss definitely counts as being busy.

She had caught wind that Zora was expanding her team, actively hiring, including for a departmental assistant.

Kaia was weary of her current administrative role—being bossed around with no prospects for advancement and a meager salary.

If she could secure a position as Zora’s assistant, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, she would undoubtedly gain the spotlight she so desperately desired.

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Darcy, sensing the weight of the conversation, offered her apologies to the group and prepared to exit.

“Darcy…” Bram called after her, trailing behind as she made her way out.

She turned, blinking in surprise. He scratched the back of his head, his nervousness palpable. “I’ll walk you down to the lobby,” he offered, his voice slightly shaky.

Once they reached the ground floor, Darcy waved goodbye, her expression brightening.

Bram, feeling a surge of courage, pressed his lips together and finally spoke his mind. “I’m sorry I didn’t mention earlier that Prof. Reed is taking part-time students this year. But… you will apply, won’t you?”

Zane, the man at the center of it all, was the one causing pain to two women.

He’s the real culprit here.

Pressing her lips together in frustration, Darcy averted her gaze and moved toward the curb.

Soon, none of this would be her concern any longer.

As they knocked on the door of the private room, the students inside were momentarily taken aback by the interruption.

Zora, however, greeted them with a warm smile, her charm radiating through the air.

After a brief moment, a young woman rose from her seat, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she approached Zora.

“You must be Zora, right? I’m sorry for the delay; Prof. Reed has already left,” she said, her voice tinged with regret.

Zora’s distant cousin happened to be this student’s classmate. When she learned that Zora wished to meet Alistair, the cousin had facilitated the introduction, believing it to be a harmless encounter—just an admirer wanting to meet the renowned professor.

She hadn’t anticipated that Alistair would depart so swiftly, thwarting their meeting.

Zora was taken aback for a brief moment but quickly masked her surprise with a gracious smile. “That’s perfectly alright. Perhaps another time. It’s still a privilege to meet all of you today.”

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10:09 Tue, Dec 16 ·

Everything Taken, I Left to Become CEO