Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 85

**Chapter 85: A Talk in the Garden**

With a hint of urgency in his voice, he inquired, “Are you really trying to set Zora up with Zane?”

Susan shot him a sharp glance, her expression a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. “Well, obviously.”

The conversation felt abruptly finished, as if a curtain had fallen, leaving no room for further discussion.

If Zora hadn’t been the focal point of this plan, what reason would Susan have had to introduce Zane to her circle of friends at the birthday celebration or to invite him into their home?

“But think about the Vances… their social standing rivals ours. Their son would never agree to marry into our family and settle down here,” he argued, his voice laced with concern.

“How can you be so sure he wouldn’t? I can see it in his eyes—he’s completely smitten with Zora. If she asked for the moon, I’m convinced he’d find a way to deliver it,” she countered, her voice rising slightly with passion.

“Even if he had the desire, the Vance family would never allow it,” he replied, his tone firm, trying to anchor his point.

“Enough!” Susan waved her hand dismissively, her patience wearing thin. “We’re not even at that stage yet. Why the rush? I have work to do, and if you’re not busy, you can leave.”

John let out a heavy sigh, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on him. He yearned to express more but chose to hold back, feeling the tension in the air.

Once he stepped outside, he lingered by the study door for what felt like an eternity, lost in thought.

The truth was, he deeply desired a child with Susan—a child that belonged to both of them. Yet, year after year, she had consistently turned down the idea.

As this realization washed over him, he instinctively reached for his wallet. In the deepest pocket, he kept a photograph he had cherished for years. Whenever that tight knot formed in his chest, he would pull it out and find some solace in its familiarity.

That child must be old enough to marry now. I wonder if she has found someone.

If she’s married… would I finally become a grandfather?

He shook his head, forcing himself not to dwell on it. The more he pondered, the heavier the burden on his heart became. He tucked the wallet away and trudged back to the bedroom, each step feeling like it was weighed down by unfulfilled dreams.

The garden at Moss Manor was a sprawling expanse of beauty, meticulously crafted by a renowned local landscaping firm, each flower and shrub carefully chosen to create a serene oasis.

Zora and Zane strolled through the enchanting gardens, their laughter mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves. As they approached a swing set, Zora paused, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia.

“Do you remember this swing? When we were kids, every time you visited, I always made you push me,” she reminisced, her voice laced with joy.

With a playful grin, she settled onto the swing, her feet barely touching the ground. “Zane, push me!”

“Alright,” Zane replied, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. He stepped behind her and gave her a gentle push, feeling a warmth spread through him as he watched her delight.

Seeing Zora laugh like a carefree child filled him with a sense of happiness that was hard to contain.

Then, out of the blue, a thought flickered through his mind.

What’s Darcy doing right now?

The moment he acknowledged his own wandering thoughts, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Why on earth would I think of Darcy?

“Zora, you’re far too kind. You’re truly a gem,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

He used to think of Darcy in a similar light—efficient, straightforward, and principled.

But after everything that had unfolded, he found himself realizing that Darcy paled in comparison to Zora. Not even close.

Darcy had shown no capacity for forgiveness.

“You mentioned you have a plan to get her back quickly. What exactly do you have in mind?” Zane couldn’t help but ask, curiosity piqued.

Zora gently pulled away from his embrace and retrieved her phone, displaying the series of pictures Kaia had sent her.

With each image Zane saw, his frown deepened. By the time he reached the last one, frustration boiled over, and he slammed his fist onto the table.

His jaw clenched tightly, a vein pulsing angrily on his forehead. “Darcy has crossed the line! She orchestrated this from the very beginning!”

Zora nodded, her expression serious. “We have two solid pieces of evidence now. First, she signed a consulting agreement with another company while still employed here, which violates the rules against senior executives taking on private work. Secondly, there’s the non-compete clause.”

A smile crept onto her lips. “Either of these could tarnish her reputation. Of course, I don’t want to destroy her, but we can use this leverage to negotiate. I’m betting she’ll be begging to come back.”

Zane’s anger simmered beneath the surface, unresolved. “After a blunder like this, even if she wants to return, I’d have to think it over. A pay cut would be a given, or perhaps she could work for free until she brings in ten million dollars for the company!”

“Alright, alright. We can hash out the terms when we negotiate,” Zora said soothingly, trying to calm him. “But let’s not rush into anything. I’ll have Kaia reach out to her again first. If she realizes her mistake and returns on her own, that would be the best outcome.”