Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 93

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

**Chapter 93: Coincidence Again**

“Ah…” The word escaped Cindy’s lips like a deflated balloon, her expression shifting to one of disappointment almost instantly. “Alright, fine. I just think you and my brother would make a good match, that’s all. Nothing more to it.”

A good match?

Darcy’s gaze drifted towards the tall, broad-shouldered figure of Jethro, who was striding ahead of them with an air of confidence that made her stomach twist.

She frowned, her thoughts racing. In what universe do we even match?

As they boarded the plane, Darcy was busy stowing her luggage when Cindy dashed over, her excitement palpable. “Darcy, can we swap seats? Yours is by the window, and it’s way better for snapping pictures!”

A weary smile crept onto Darcy’s face, “Sure, no problem at all.”

With a resigned sigh, she hoisted her bag and made her way to Cindy’s seat.

But as she turned around, her heart sank. Jethro was already reclining comfortably in the seat across the aisle, his eyes shut tight.

…Not again.

Darcy shot a helpless look at Cindy, who immediately raised her phone, her fingers flying over the screen. “No, Darcy, just listen to me! It’s not what you think!”

Cindy felt like a complete scoundrel trying to clarify the situation, her mind racing with a torrent of excuses that seemed to evaporate into thin air. “I swear, it wasn’t me! I had no idea my brother would be right there! You have to believe me!”

Darcy rubbed her temples, feeling a headache brewing.

What a bizarre coincidence this was.

After stowing her bag, she signaled to a flight attendant for a blanket. She wrapped it around herself, preparing to drift off to sleep, but her eyes wandered to the left.

The imposing, aloof man who had occupied her thoughts now appeared almost innocent, his long, thick lashes casting delicate shadows across his cheeks as he slept.

Realizing what she was doing, Darcy quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing with warmth.

What on earth was I doing, staring at Jethro like that?

She turned away, pulling the blanket up to her chin, and slowly closed her eyes, hoping to find some peace.

Just as she began to drift, she sensed a gentle gaze resting on her for a fleeting moment before it vanished.

Two hours later, the plane touched down with a gentle thud.

The three of them disembarked and made their way to the arrivals area, waiting for Rowan to pick them up.

Rowan had flown into Techwood two days earlier and had already secured their accommodations.

This business trip was off to a promising start.

Darcy idly scanned her surroundings. The city wasn’t particularly large, but as a tourist destination, the airport buzzed with activity.

Suddenly, her heart sank as she spotted two familiar figures approaching them.

Darcy’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“What’s wrong?” Cindy inquired, following her gaze to see Zane and Zora. Ugh, talk about bad luck.

Jethro raised an eyebrow at the approaching duo before turning his attention back to Darcy. “We could just wait inside instead.”

Darcy shook her head, determination hardening her expression. “No need for that.”

“Mr. Vance, Dr. Moss, these are—”

Zora, her smile curving like a crescent moon, interrupted him. “Thank you, Mr. Cole. We’re already familiar.”

Brandon looked taken aback but quickly regained his composure. “Ah, of course. You’re all from Aethelburg, in the same industry. It makes sense that you’d know each other.”

Darcy had considered the possibility of a coincidence, but nothing this elaborate.

Same day for a business trip. Same arrival time. Meeting the same client.

After settling into their seats, Cindy leaned closer to Darcy, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m starting to seriously think someone at the company leaked our plans.”

Darcy frowned, her own suspicions echoing Cindy’s.

But now wasn’t the time to dwell on that unsettling thought. She pulled out her laptop and opened the meticulously prepared proposal.

“Would you like to go first, or shall I?” Darcy asked, her gaze locking onto Zane across the table.

The look she directed at him only served to deepen the chill in his eyes.

There was a distance in her gaze that he found unsettling, devoid of the jealousy or possessiveness that a lover should exhibit.

Yes, Zane craved to see some flicker of jealousy, some hint of resentment in her eyes—at least then he would know that Darcy still cared for him.

But in her current state, she was an enigma he could not decipher.

Did she still harbor feelings for him?

Or… had she ever truly loved him at all?