Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 74

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks**
**Chapter 74: Bex’s Downfall**

It was over.

Yet, given Kaia’s fragile state, Ione took a moment to offer gentle comfort. “Alright, just relax for a moment. First, drink some water.”

Darcy’s gaze wandered around the sterile hospital room, searching for any familiar faces from the Lark family. But the absence was palpable.

“Did no one from the Lark family bother to come?” Darcy’s voice held a mix of concern and disbelief.

At her words, Kaia’s expression shifted dramatically, a shadow flickering across her features.

“Are you trying to provoke me on purpose?” she shot back, her tone sharp and defensive.

Ione dismissed the tension with a wave of her hand. “Forget about the Larks. If they choose not to show up, that’s their loss. I’ll look after Kaia.”

Then, with a hint of seriousness, she added, “Honestly, Kaia, once you’re out of here, you should move back in with us. Living with the Larks isn’t worth it.”

Kaia fell silent, her thoughts racing.

The Lark family, while emotionally distant, resided in a grand mansion where every meal was a feast. It was a lifestyle that was easy to embrace but difficult to relinquish.

Returning to a simpler life felt daunting and uncomfortable.

Noticing the weight of Kaia’s silence, Ione too fell quiet, focusing on the task of gently offering her water, each sip a small act of care.

Darcy’s heart ached for her mother. She offered to stay with Kaia in the hospital, urging Ione to return home and take a break.

The following afternoon, Darcy found herself immersed in work on her laptop in the hospital room, when Kaia broke the silence, her voice laced with awkwardness. “If you’re busy, you can head back to the office, you know.”

Darcy’s eyes flicked up just in time to catch Kaia shutting off her phone screen.

Understanding dawned on her. Zora must be on her way, hence the seemingly considerate suggestion for her to leave.

Feigning ignorance, Darcy packed her belongings and made her way back to the office.

As expected, shortly after her departure, Zora arrived, her presence filling the room with a different energy.

Kaia greeted her with a shy smile. “Dr. Moss, I really appreciate you coming. I’m alright. I’ll be out of here the day after tomorrow and back to work.”

Zora responded with a warm smile, though it lacked the usual brightness. “No need to rush. The Easemark project just wrapped up. The company could use some time to regroup and reflect.”

Mentioning the lost Easemark bid reignited Kaia’s indignation.

“Dr. Moss, did you manage to reach Mr. Stone? He assured us there wouldn’t be any issues.”

“Yes, I did speak with him. He mentioned he did everything he could. Unfortunately, the higher-ups insisted on going with Stratagem Tech. There was nothing he could do,” Zora explained, her voice steady.

Kaia let out a derisive snort. “I knew it. Stratagem won because of their connections.”

Zora offered a slight smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes, hinting at her own concerns.

In reality, Bex had never reached out to her.

Zora exhaled, relief washing over her. “Okay, I understand.”

Since nothing had transpired, the issue of “inappropriate conduct” had no ties to SummitCore.

Bribery, inappropriate behavior… none of it implicated her or SummitCore. The company would remain unscathed.

Zora felt a wave of reassurance envelop her.

Noticing the fruit arranged neatly in the room, Zora peeled an orange and handed it to Kaia. The gesture stirred something deep within Kaia.

Someone of Zora’s stature taking the time to peel an orange for her? It felt like an honor, a moment of genuine kindness.

“Thank you, Dr. Moss.”

Yet, as her thoughts drifted back to the lost bid, Kaia felt a pang of guilt. She had let Zora down, especially since the one responsible for the loss was her so-called sister.

“I’m really sorry about this. It’s all Darcy’s fault. If she hadn’t meddled, we would have won.”

Zora’s gaze dropped, lost in contemplation, her silence stretching uncomfortably.

Panic surged through Kaia, misinterpreting Zora’s quietness as anger directed at her.

She hastily set down the orange. “Dr. Moss, please don’t worry. Darcy is Darcy, and I am I. Even though we grew up together, I know right from wrong. She impulsively quit, jumped to a competitor, and now she’s stolen our project. She doesn’t deserve to be called my best friend anymore.

“If it’s alright with you, Dr. Moss, from now on, you’ll be the only best friend I need!”