Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 95

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks 95**
**Chapter 95 Whose Girlfriend Is She?**

Brandon, always perceptive to the dynamics around him, immediately grasped the situation. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he exclaimed, “Ah, I see! So you two are an item!”

Zora, caught off guard, lowered her gaze, a shy smile creeping onto her lips. Her eyes flickered towards Zane, betraying a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite contain.

Zane, for his part, chose silence. He didn’t correct Brandon, which spoke volumes.

His tacit agreement hung in the air like a thick fog, enveloping the table in a moment of shared understanding.

“Well, that simply won’t do! You’ll need to drink double, my friend!” Brandon declared with a grin, rising from his seat to pour an overflowing glass for Zane.

Zane accepted the challenge without hesitation, embodying the image of a gallant lover, ready to defend his partner’s honor.

Cindy, sitting nearby, couldn’t suppress a quiet sneer, her disdain palpable. “Showing off your love, are you? Hope you crash and burn,” she muttered under her breath, her words dripping with sarcasm.

Darcy, observing the scene, pressed her lips together in disbelief. The transformation before her was absurd. Just moments ago, Zane had been a man on the edge, demanding her return with a fierce intensity. Now, here he was, tenderly shielding another woman from the onslaught of drinks, all softness and care.

When had Zane developed such a duality?

Yet, as she reflected on the past, memories flooded back. In those days when she entertained clients, no matter how unreasonable they were, Zane had never once stepped in to protect her from the drinks, never once offered a shield against their demands.

All he ever provided was a fleeting, “Good job.”

Ha. And I stood by a man like that for seven years? I must have been blind to the truth.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Brandon poured another drink, his enthusiasm unwavering.

Darcy instinctively raised her glass, ready to toast, but the sudden swing of the door caught her attention.

Her gaze snapped up to see Jethro, tall and imposing, framed in the doorway.

Brandon, recovering quickly from his surprise, leaped to his feet. “Mr. Blackwood! What a pleasant surprise! What brings you here?”

Jethro smiled, a warm and inviting expression that seemed to light up the room. “I just happened to be meeting a client in the next room. I heard your voice and thought I’d drop by to say hello.”

Brandon beamed with pride, flattered that such a significant figure from Aethelburg had taken the time to greet him.

“Mr. Blackwood, let me propose a toast!” Without waiting for a response, Brandon raised his glass high towards Jethro.

In a show of camaraderie, Brandon drank first, tilting his head back as if savoring the moment. Jethro followed suit, his smile unwavering as he joined in the toast.

Not stopping there, Jethro reached for the liquor bottle on the table, pouring two more glasses with ease.

“These two, I’ll finish as well,” he declared, downing the drinks with a satisfied grin. “Since I’ve taken these, my subordinate shouldn’t have to drink anymore, right?”

Darcy felt a jolt of surprise.

His subordinate… Is Jethro protecting me from the drinks?

Her hands clenched nervously in her lap, a flurry of emotions swirling within her.

Brandon paused, glancing between Darcy and Jethro, a light of understanding dawning in his eyes.

What is it with everyone bringing their lovers on business trips?

“Don’t worry, Mr. Blackwood. I get the picture,” Brandon said, a knowing smile creeping onto his face.

Darcy’s heart raced, a mixture of embarrassment and confusion flooding her senses. She realized that Brandon had misunderstood the situation entirely, but she couldn’t bring herself to clarify.

Zora, sitting at the table, felt her heart sink. Her face had turned ashen.

The atmosphere had soured ever since Jethro entered and made that ambiguous statement. Now, witnessing Zane’s explosive reaction to Darcy, she felt a surge of anger that threatened to boil over.

But for the sake of the deal, she forced a smile, masking her true feelings.

“Apologies, Mr. Cole. We have to leave. See you tomorrow.”

The private room was left in a state of bewilderment, with only Brandon and his secretary exchanging confused glances.

Brandon pondered Zane’s parting words, unable to resist the urge to gossip with his secretary.

“What do you think the relationship is between those four?” he mused aloud.

The secretary shrugged, equally perplexed. You’re asking me?

Back at the hotel, both Darcy and Cindy felt a bit lightheaded, the strong liquor Brandon had chosen taking its toll. Despite their usual ability to handle their drinks, they found themselves caught in a tipsy haze.

After lying down for a while, Darcy finally decided to get up and take a shower.

Emerging from the steamy water, she felt refreshed but suddenly realized, with a rush of embarrassment, that she had forgotten to grab her pajamas.

“Cindy? Cindy, are you there? Could you pass me the pajamas on the bed?” she called out, hoping for a response.

Silence greeted her, and she suspected Cindy had already drifted off to sleep.

Just as she was about to brave the open door, a hand reached in, offering her the pajamas.

Without thinking much of it, Darcy slipped them on. As she opened the door, she said, “Oh, you were there. I thought you’d fallen asleep.”