Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 57

**Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks**

**Chapter 57: Did She Really Not Care?**

As luck would have it, the product displays scattered throughout the venue quickly piqued her interest.

Intricately designed glass cases showcased an array of innovative products from various companies in the industry. Darcy seized this opportunity with enthusiasm, eager to immerse herself in the latest advancements and trends.

For those particularly unique or striking products, she snapped photos with her phone, envisioning how these images would serve as future inspiration for the research and development team at Stratagem Tech.

Her exploration was not just about admiring the products; it was also a chance to familiarize herself with the names of some lesser-known firms.

A few of these smaller companies, though lean in staff, boasted distinctive products that positioned them as leaders within their specialized niches.

Darcy made a mental note of these company names, planning to delve deeper into their actual situations later.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, Zane and Zora entered the hall. They spotted Darcy, who was engrossed in memorizing the descriptions of various companies.

Zane paused for a moment, taken aback. He hadn’t anticipated seeing Darcy here, of all places.

After all, the attendees of the FinTech Forum were predominantly industry elites, individuals who were at least experts in their respective companies.

But Darcy… how had she managed to gain entry?

Considering her years in marketing, with an extensive network and honed skills, it was entirely plausible that she had received an invitation from someone.

As she murmured the names of various companies under her breath, Zane realized she was likely using the forum as a means to scout for job opportunities.

It was a clever approach, no doubt.

But—

Zane felt a twinge of disapproval.

This forum was unlike any other. It was a high-level event, taken seriously by the city government, with a packed agenda that didn’t lend itself to casual networking or the swapping of business cards.

Moreover, while Darcy was certainly capable, she wasn’t at the level to engage in direct conversations with company CEOs.

Looking across the vast landscape of Aethelburg, he wondered who besides himself would genuinely appreciate her talents.

He wasn’t alone in his thoughts; Zora shared his sentiment.

With a soft sigh, she remarked, “That’s Ms. Gale, isn’t it? It seems she’s still on the hunt for a job. Zane, should I go over and clarify the misunderstanding? Maybe invite her back?”

A flicker of coldness crossed Zane’s eyes. “There’s no need for explanations. Let’s move on.”

Even without an official invitation, he knew that eventually, Darcy would find her way back.

How long could she endure without a job?

Zora’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Alright,” she replied, feigning reluctance as they turned to leave.

From a distance, Darcy watched as Zora’s arm looped through Zane’s as they walked away together. She couldn’t help but stare for a moment.

Zane had definitely seen her.

Yet, he merely cast her a cold glance before turning away.

Darcy’s fists clenched tightly, a surge of frustration coursing through her.

Zane nodded, his expression shifting to one of determination. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

They had pursued various avenues to meet Alistair regarding the patent, but to no avail. Attending this forum was their primary goal—to secure a moment to speak with him.

The government had only hinted at a mystery guest, keeping the identity under wraps. Zora had cleverly used her family’s connections to discover it was Alistair.

Meanwhile, as Darcy spotted Alistair on stage, a genuine smile broke across her face.

Her applause was particularly enthusiastic, a stark contrast to her earlier demeanor.

Alistair moved to the center of the stage, clicked his remote, and a presentation illuminated the large screen behind him.

Half an hour later, his presentation wrapped up, and he bowed before stepping offstage to take a seat in the front row.

Next came the speeches from corporate representatives.

Three companies were scheduled to speak, all of which were top-tier firms in the industry.

Yet, Stratagem Tech was notably absent from that esteemed list.

However, Jethro was also slated to speak. It was evident that this opportunity was not due to Stratagem Tech’s prowess but rather the significant influence of the Blackwood Group.

To put it bluntly, it was because the Blackwood Group was a major taxpayer in Aethelburg.

The government might have preferred otherwise, but they were beholden to the substantial contributions!

Understanding this dynamic, Darcy couldn’t help but smile wryly.

But Zane viewed the situation through a different lens.