Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 42

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks**
**Chapter 42: The Last Day**

Dr. Moss had truly become a figure of admiration for everyone in the office. Her presence commanded respect, and it was evident that the admiration for Zora had only intensified over time.

Today, however, was different. If it hadn’t been for Darcy’s unexpected appearance, many would have completely forgotten that she was still part of the team.

Darcy could feel the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on her, an unspoken tension that buzzed in the air, but she chose to disregard it. After all, this was her final day at the company, and she had a mission to complete.

With purpose, she strode directly to the HR manager, Lucy Lynch, her heels clicking against the polished floor. “Lucy,” she said, her voice steady, “could you please print me an offboarding form and prepare my termination certificate? I’d appreciate it.”

Lucy’s eyes widened in disbelief. “O-offboarding form? Darcy, why are you resigning?” Her voice was tinged with concern, disbelief etched across her face.

Lucy was a seasoned employee, having been with the company for many years, and she had watched Darcy grow from a fresh-faced recruit into a competent professional. They shared a bond that had developed over time, one that made Lucy’s question all the more poignant.

Darcy simply smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Yeah. Mr. Vance and I have discussed it.”

The revelation hit Lucy like a bolt of lightning. What? Mr. Vance had actually agreed to this? Suddenly, the whispers and rumors that had been circulating around the office about Zane and Zora came rushing back to her mind.

A wave of pity washed over her as she looked at Darcy. Men can be so thoughtless. You stand by them through every storm, and the moment someone new enters the picture, they forget all about you!

But Lucy reminded herself that she was just an employee. If Zane had made this decision, it was not her place to intervene.

With a heavy heart, she printed the offboarding form and handed it to Darcy. “Fill this out and bring it back before you leave. I’ll have your certificate ready.”

Darcy accepted the form and returned to her desk, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision.

As she settled in, several sales colleagues, those she had formed close friendships with, gathered around her, their expressions a mix of concern and disbelief.

“Darcy! You’re back from leave?!” Faye, her assistant, exclaimed, her voice a blend of surprise and joy as she rushed over, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Darcy managed a faint smile, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. “Yeah, I’m back.”

Faye’s enthusiasm faltered as she searched for the right words. There was so much she wanted to express, but the words remained trapped in her throat. Her gaze drifted past Darcy to the independent office behind her, where a nameplate boldly declared, “Vice President: Zora Moss.”

Darcy had seen it before, and it didn’t shock her. At this point, even if she learned that Zora had been promoted to CEO, it wouldn’t have surprised her in the least.

Zane had cherished Zora for more than a decade; now that they were together, he would likely move mountains for her.

“I already know,” Darcy said softly, giving Faye a reassuring pat on the shoulder. She then turned her attention to the rest of her colleagues. “I’m here today to process my resignation.”

The room fell silent, jaws dropping in disbelief.

Faye was the first to break the silence, her voice rising in protest. “Darcy, why are you letting that… that witch win? Leaving now is just handing over everything you’ve worked for all these years!”

“Exactly! Ms. Gale, don’t be naive. She’s trying to push you out on purpose,” another colleague chimed in, their voice filled with indignation.

Darcy felt a swell of gratitude in her chest. To have people stand up for her on her last day made her heart ache with bittersweet emotion. It was a reminder that her time here had not been in vain.

She hadn’t anticipated encountering Zora today. Her work handover was straightforward—just client files that she had meticulously organized on a USB drive. The new person taking over only needed to confirm receipt.

However, with Zora’s presence in the building, a brief, polite greeting was unavoidable. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Darcy rose from her chair.

But Zora didn’t appear.

Someone scratched their head awkwardly, breaking the silence. “Dr. Moss went upstairs… to Mr. Vance’s office.”

Faye rolled her eyes so dramatically it was almost comical. “She’s either in Mr. Vance’s office or on her way there. Anyone who claims there’s nothing going on between them is just delusional!”

A male colleague raised a finger to his lips, cautioning silence. “Shh! Are you crazy? Have you forgotten what happened to Julia and Jake?”

Darcy’s brow furrowed in confusion. She had hired Julia and Jake, and they had been absent from the office today. Had they left?

Her curiosity got the better of her. “What happened to them?”

The male colleague leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “Julia and Jake couldn’t stand that woman swooping in as our boss. They challenged her authority. Then Mr. Vance fired them. He even said he’d blacklist them from the entire industry. It’s terrible.”

Darcy’s frown deepened, a mix of anger and disbelief coursing through her veins. When had Zane become such a tyrant?

A bitter taste filled her mouth. So Zane knows how to stand up for a woman; he simply never wanted to do the same for me!

Darcy sat at her desk for another half hour, the clock ticking away, but there was still no sign of Zora.