Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 79

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks 79**

**Chapter 79 Not Love, But Pride**

The atmosphere around the table shifted into an uneasy silence, each member of the group lost in their own swirling thoughts.

Zane had been grappling with a deep sense of frustration that seemed to cling to him like a heavy fog. The weight of unresolved issues with Darcy had begun to wear on him, and when he spotted Ines’ message in their group chat inviting everyone out for drinks, he felt a sudden urge to escape. With a quick motion, he slipped on his jacket and made his way to the bar, seeking solace in the familiar buzz of laughter and clinking glasses.

As he arrived, he noticed Ines just settling down at a table. “Hey, look who’s here! You’re quick today. Not busy anymore?” Ines teased, a playful grin spreading across his face.

Before Zane could respond, Hugo strolled in, adding to the lively atmosphere. Ines, ever the social butterfly, flagged down a waiter and ordered several bottles of wine, her excitement palpable.

Once the waiter departed, Ines crossed his long legs, leaning back with a casual confidence that belied the tension in the air. “So, what’s the deal? Still haven’t smoothed things over with Darcy?” he probed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Zane’s expression.

Hugo, now fully engaged, turned his attention to Zane as well, awaiting his response.

Zane, feeling the heat of their scrutiny, irritably unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, the action almost instinctive. He grabbed a cigarette from the table, taking a few deep drags as he tried to collect his thoughts. “Damn. I really underestimated her,” he finally admitted, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “Holding out this long… it’s not easy.”

Ines raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. “Seriously? I didn’t think she had it in her.”

Hugo, recalling his own recent encounters with Darcy, felt a knot tighten in his stomach. Her clear resistance had been unmistakable. Could it be that they were truly done? The thought lingered in his mind, unsettling him.

He took a sip from his glass, the liquid burning slightly as it went down. “Darcy just joined the Blackwood Group’s subsidiary, Stratagem Tech,” Zane announced suddenly, breaking the silence.

“What?!” Ines and Hugo exclaimed in unison, their faces reflecting a mix of shock and disbelief.

Hugo frowned, his brow furrowing in concern. “Stratagem Tech is the tech arm of the Blackwood Group. Their operations are directly in line with SummitCore’s. They’re competitors, Zane.”

Zane let out a derisive laugh, exhaling a smoke ring that danced in the air. “Hah,” he scoffed, a mocking twist to his lips. He proceeded to recount the recent developments, detailing how Darcy had managed to turn the tables on him.

Ines was left utterly flabbergasted. Who could have predicted such a ruthless move? Darcy was not just breaking up with him; she was quitting and joining a rival firm, snatching a lucrative project right from under SummitCore’s nose. It was a calculated strike.

“That’s definitely deliberate,” Zane concluded, his tone heavy with bitterness. If it had been any other woman, he might have admired her audacity. But with Darcy, it felt wrong, almost distasteful.

He felt a surge of indignation for his friend. “Is that woman out of her mind? You never mistreated her when you were together. How can she just turn around and steal your business?” he exclaimed, his voice rising slightly.

Then, narrowing his eyes as a thought crossed his mind, he added, “You mentioned seeing her hugging Jethro. What if those two were already sneaking around? What if they were hooking up behind your back?”

So, it wasn’t love that held Zane back; it was pride. If Darcy did return, Zane would make her pay for her actions—and then he would cast her aside.

Once this realization clicked into place, Ines chuckled, raising his glass to Zane. “To you and Zora! Here’s to a long and happy union!”

Meanwhile, Hugo was preoccupied, his fingers tapping away as he replied to a message.

Five minutes earlier, Darcy had sent him a text: “Tomorrow, 7 PM. Meet at this restaurant.” Attached was a link to an upscale steakhouse, the kind of place that promised an extravagant evening.

Curiosity piqued, Hugo clicked the link, his eyes widening at the average prices listed.

After a moment’s thought, he replied, “There’s a newly opened place with fantastic local cuisine. Let’s go there instead. I’ll send you the address.” This local restaurant was owned by a distant cousin, who had mentioned a generous 40% discount for friends.

After witnessing Darcy and her mother at the hospital, Hugo had taken the initiative to ask his uncle for more information. He learned that Darcy’s mother required long-term medication and regular check-ups, and flare-ups could necessitate multiple surgeries.

Given this situation, it was likely that Darcy was under considerable financial strain.

As he pondered this, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story, and he was determined to find out what it was.