Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 3

**Title: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks**

**Chapter 3: The Letter Arrives**

An envelope lay on Zane’s desk, its surface marked with bold letters declaring, “TO ZANE VANCE.” There was a stark absence of any other identifying information, leaving an air of mystery hanging over it.

Rex, Zane’s diligent personal assistant, was known for his meticulous nature. Without missing a beat, he turned to the courier who had delivered the letter. “Do you know who sent this?” he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

The courier, a young man with an earnest expression, quickly pulled up the order details on his handheld device. “It appears to be from Darcy,” he replied, his brow furrowing slightly.

Darcy? Rex felt a surge of confusion wash over him. What sort of game were Zane and Darcy orchestrating now?

Zane was a man of principles. He maintained a strict divide between his professional and personal lives, and he had little tolerance for office romances. This rigid boundary meant that most of the employees at SummitCore were blissfully unaware of the true dynamics of Zane and Darcy’s relationship.

Typically, Zane kept Darcy from casually visiting the executive floor, enforcing an unspoken rule. Therefore, Rex often found himself playing the role of intermediary between the two.

But a letter? This was an unprecedented development.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Rex made his way to Zane’s office, his mind racing with questions.

“Mr. Vance, a letter has arrived for you,” he announced, purposefully omitting any mention of the sender.

After all, revealing that detail could spoil their little game.

Zane was hunched over his computer, engrossed in a slew of emails that demanded his attention. Upon hearing Rex’s announcement, he frowned, momentarily distracted from his work. He reached for the letter, tearing it open with a sense of urgency. However, before he could delve into its contents, the receptionist’s voice broke through the quiet.

“Mr. Vance, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Dalton, and his team have arrived.”

Brian Dalton’s team represented a significant potential client for SummitCore’s upcoming projects. They simply could not be kept waiting.

With a resigned sigh, Zane set the opened envelope aside on his desk, grabbed his notebook, and hurried out of the office with Rex in tow. As he exited, the edge of his notebook brushed against the desk, sending the torn envelope tumbling into the nearby trash bin.

Five minutes later, the cleaning lady entered the office. Spotting the letter in the bin and noting that it was already opened, she emptied the contents without a second thought, oblivious to the significance of what she discarded.

By the time Zane emerged from the meeting two hours later, the unopened letter had completely slipped from his mind, lost amid the whirlwind of discussions and decisions.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Come in,” Zane called out, his focus still on the documents scattered across his desk.

“Mr. Vance,” came a familiar voice.

At the sound, Zane finally lifted his gaze, and his heart skipped a beat. There stood Zora, framed in the doorway, a radiant smile lighting up her features.

In an instant, memories flooded back to him—memories from years ago when he had first arrived at the Vance residence. He and his mother had been treated as outcasts, looked down upon by the other guests. At a party, while the other children distanced themselves from him due to his illegitimate status, only Zora had reached out, taking his hand with unwavering confidence. “We can be friends,” she had said, her smile a beacon of kindness.

That moment had etched itself into his heart, and even now, as the Vance family’s illegitimate son, he felt a mix of longing and admiration for her. They now stood on equal ground, yet a bitter taste lingered in his mouth at the thought of his impending engagement.

“When it’s just the two of us, you can call me Zane. No need for formalities,” he said, rising to pour her a glass of water, attempting to mask the turmoil within him.

Zora’s playful smile widened. “Alright, Zane.”

Zane nodded, a flicker of warmth igniting in his chest. “What brings you here today?”

Zora set her cup down, her demeanor shifting to one of seriousness. “Zane, about your decision to make me VP… does everyone know?”

“Absolutely. I’ve already discussed it with the tech and product teams,” he replied, trying to gauge her reaction.

Zora hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. “What about R&D and Sales? Are they in the loop as well?”

Zane met her gaze, a hint of concern creeping in. “Yes, they are.”

Zora paused, her expression revealing a mix of apprehension and determination.

“What is it?” Zane asked, frowning. “Is someone giving you a hard time?”

Zane rubbed his temples, his frustration evident. “Spread the word. Zora is here by my personal invitation. Anyone who has a problem with her has a problem with me.”

Rex was taken aback, his eyes widening in disbelief. He had never witnessed Zane defend anyone with such fervor before.

Even with Darcy, Zane had always maintained a certain distance, a cool detachment that Rex had come to accept as part of his personality. But with Zora, he was undeniably different.

Rex felt the stirrings of doubt creeping in, and he quickly shook his head.

It can’t be.

Zane and Darcy had shared seven years together. Everyone from the old guard who knew their story respected him for his loyalty. They all spoke of him as a good man for standing by the woman who had been with him from the very beginning.

Zane worked through lunch, his mind racing with thoughts. Suddenly, he recalled something important—Darcy still hadn’t responded to the message he had sent the night before.

That was unusual for her.

Is she upset?

He pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts until he found her name on WhatsApp.

With a sigh of frustration, he rubbed his temples and dialed her number.

At home, Darcy felt her phone vibrate on the table. She glanced at the screen and saw Zane’s name flash before her eyes.

She hesitated, her heart racing as she contemplated answering.

Ione, her mother, looked over, puzzled by her daughter’s reluctance. “What’s the matter, dear? Why aren’t you picking up Zane’s call?”

Before Darcy could respond, Ione pressed the answer button, catching her off guard.

It was too late for Darcy to protest. With a reluctant sigh, she brought the phone to her ear. “Hello?”