Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 80

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

**Chapter 80: I Trust Your Judgment More**

As much as he yearned to see her, Hugo found himself wrestling with a nagging thought: he didn’t want her to splurge unnecessarily.

Moments later, Darcy’s message pinged back, “Okay. See you tomorrow night.”

“Yeah. Looking forward to it,” he replied, a smile creeping onto his face.

Just as he was about to lock his phone, Ines’s inquisitive gaze landed on the screen, her curiosity piqued.

“What’s this? Who are you texting?” Ines chimed in, her tone dripping with playful intrigue.

Zane, who had been lounging nearby, set down his drink, his attention shifting to Hugo with a raised eyebrow.

Hugo felt a wave of discomfort wash over him, his fingers absently brushing against his nose. “Just a friend,” he muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.

“A female friend?” Ines’s eyebrows danced up and down suggestively. “Blind date or… a hookup?”

“Get lost!” Hugo shot back, his foot connecting with Zane’s shin in a playful kick.

Yet, Zane’s penetrating gaze lingered, prompting Hugo to tuck his phone away. “A business contact,” he clarified, the words tumbling out with a hint of defensiveness.

He took another sip of his drink, feeling the warmth of the liquid but also the weight of his own discomfort.

It wasn’t entirely a falsehood; Darcy had indeed been a former business associate.

Not exactly lying, he reassured himself.

With that thought easing his mind, he stood up, excusing himself to the restroom.

Once inside, he closed the door behind him, the small space feeling like a sanctuary. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the teddy bear keychain he had purchased earlier that day.

This wasn’t the same one he had given Darcy before; he had picked up a new one at the mall after a business meeting.

The mall had been bustling, filled with young people drawn to the vibrant shop selling an array of cute keychains.

Hugo had been taken aback by how popular these little trinkets were.

Without fully understanding why, he had chosen a different-colored bear, one that he hoped would complement the one he had given her previously.

His plan was simple: present both bears to her the following evening.

The next night, as the workday wrapped up, Darcy quickly gathered her belongings, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

She stepped into the elevator, where she unexpectedly encountered Jethro.

He flashed her a warm smile. “Meeting a friend for dinner?”

“How did you know?” Darcy replied, her surprise evident in her tone.

“I guessed,” Jethro said with a knowing grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

When they reached the underground level, they exchanged goodbyes. Darcy climbed into her car, her fingers deftly turning on the navigation system as she set off for the address Hugo had provided.

It was a short drive—around twenty minutes—but her mind was buzzing with thoughts.

As she pushed open the door to the restaurant, her eyes immediately found Hugo.

In a sea of faces, he stood out, undeniably striking and charismatic.

Darcy recalled Hugo mentioning he had questions for her during their phone conversation.

“It’s about a fintech investment,” he began, his tone shifting to business. “I’m uncertain whether to proceed. Could you share your thoughts?”

Darcy took a moment to consider, her mind whirring with the implications. “The domestic market for risk management products is crowded. There are numerous players, and new products are emerging constantly. It feels somewhat saturated at this point,” she advised, her voice steady.

Hugo nodded, absorbing her insight. He understood her message loud and clear—this was not a venture worth pursuing.

“Alright. I see,” he said, his expression contemplative.

Darcy hesitated, then added, “That’s just my personal opinion, of course. Any investment decision should be based on a thorough professional assessment.”

A faint smile crept onto Hugo’s lips. “Compared to others, I trust your judgment more.”

The words caught Darcy off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. She hadn’t anticipated such faith in her opinion.

Why wouldn’t he consult Zora? They had grown up together, after all.

Then again, she recalled Zora’s questionable academic credentials.

He could always ask Zane, too.

The gears in her mind turned, trying to decipher his reasoning.

As the meal progressed, Darcy felt a quiet sense of relief wash over her.

With this debt of gratitude repaid, she assumed they wouldn’t cross paths again.

Stealing a glance at her watch, she noted the time. It was still early, yet she felt a pull to return home. Her study session awaited her, unfinished and demanding her attention.