Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 71

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks**
**Chapter 71: The Unexpected Winner**

Darcy responded with a demeanor that was both calm and detached, as if the weight of the moment bore no significance to her. “Do I need to tell you?” she asked, her voice steady and unyielding.

“Oh, but of course you do,” he replied, a smirk creeping onto his face. “Don’t forget, you signed a—”

Before he could finish the phrase “non-compete agreement,” the door to the small, sparsely decorated conference room swung open. The evaluation experts and technical staff began to file out, their faces a mix of fatigue and anticipation.

To Darcy’s surprise, Eamon also stepped into the room, his presence commanding immediate attention.

An assistant acknowledged him with a curt nod, “Mr. Steele.”

Eamon raised a hand, a gesture that was both authoritative and casual, signaling everyone to continue with their tasks, dismissing the need for formalities.

The host, a middle-aged man with a clipboard in hand, retrieved the final evaluation results from the experts, his expression a blend of seriousness and excitement.

With a deliberate motion, he picked up the microphone, the atmosphere in the room thick with tension as he prepared to announce the winning bidder.

Zane stole a glance at Zora, their eyes locking for a brief moment, both radiating an air of absolute confidence, as if victory was a foregone conclusion.

But then, the host raised the paper high, his voice booming through the room, “The winning bidder for this tender is—Stratagem Tech!”

A collective gasp filled the air. The room fell into an eerie silence, so profound that the faint sound of a pin dropping could almost be heard.

What?! Stratagem Tech?

It was unfathomable!

Representatives from competing companies turned their gazes toward Zane and Zora, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and confusion.

This was not the inside information they had been led to believe.

Darcy and her team were just as taken aback, their expressions mirroring the shock that rippled through the room.

“HOLY—Ms. Gale! We won!” Cade exclaimed, his voice bursting with uncontainable joy.

Cindy, unable to contain her excitement, wrapped her arms around Darcy in a jubilant hug. “You knew all along, didn’t you? No wonder you were so composed!”

Darcy felt a blend of amusement and exasperation wash over her.

How could she have known? She was just as bewildered by the outcome.

Yet, as she recalled Eamon’s unexpected appearance earlier, a flicker of understanding began to dawn on her.

Stepping forward, she addressed him softly, “Mr. Steele, thank you for your support.”

Initially, she had interpreted his refusal to meet her in private as a sign that he didn’t want to give her false hope.

But perhaps that was not the case after all.

Eamon chuckled, a warm sound that filled the space between them. “You’ve got it all backwards. I should be the one thanking you. Your proposal was exceptional, perfectly aligned with our tender requirements, and the price was incredibly competitive. It was practically a steal. Selecting you was a unanimous decision.”

Even with this praise, Darcy sensed that Eamon had played a pivotal role in this victory.

“I assure you, we will fulfill all the promises we made during the pre-sales phase,” she replied, determination lacing her words.

“Fantastic. Keep up the excellent work, young professionals. I look forward to collaborating on phases two and three!”

With that, Eamon and his assistant made their exit, leaving the room buzzing with energy.

One by one, everyone in the room, excluding the Summit Core team, approached Darcy to extend their congratulations.

“Congratulations!”

Taking a deep breath, Zora forced a smile and extended her hand toward Darcy. “Congratulations on winning the bid.”

Darcy raised an eyebrow, momentarily taken aback.

This woman possesses more grace than Zane.

She was willing to engage with those who approached her with kindness. Darcy shook Zora’s hand firmly. “Thank you.”

As for Zane…

His expression was dark, like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. Darcy chose not to meet his gaze again, turning instead to leave with her team, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Kaia, seething with frustration, stomped her foot in anger.

The bonus that had felt so secure in her grasp had slipped away, snatched right out from under her by Darcy! Fury bubbled within her!

Darcy had already left! Why did she still have to overshadow her at every turn? It was infuriatingly unfair!

She seethed, “Darcy must have pulled some strings. Dr. Moss, you saw it too. The way she shook hands and conversed with Mr. Steele just now… it was clearly orchestrated. We were all just here for show!”

Then Kaia’s mind raced back to a detail. “Dr. Moss, what about Mr. Stone? Why wasn’t he here today?”

At this, Zane turned his attention to Zora, concern flickering in his eyes. “Did something happen on Mr. Stone’s end?”

Zora pressed her lips together, silence enveloping her like a shroud.

When the winning bidder was announced, she had attempted to reach Bex several times, but there had been no response.

Something must have transpired on his end.

Zora tightened her grip on her phone, determination mingling with worry. “I can’t reach him. Let’s wait for now. I’ll try contacting him again later.”