Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 96

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks 96**
**Chapter 96: An Absurd Dream**

As she stepped out into the dim light, a sudden chill gripped her hands, causing her to freeze mid-motion while attempting to adjust her outfit.

Those shoes, those trousers… they felt so out of place, so inadequate.

In a heartbeat, her eyes darted up in disbelief. It was Jethro!

Panic surged through Darcy, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around her chest, trying to shield herself from his gaze.

She realized with a jolt that she wasn’t wearing anything beneath her clothes!

Finished.

“I’m truly sorry. I should have knocked,” Jethro said, displaying a gentlemanly demeanor as he turned away, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise.

Heat rushed to Darcy’s cheeks, igniting her face in a bright crimson. “It’s… It’s alright. Thank you for bringing the pajamas,” she managed to stammer, her voice barely above a whisper.

The tension in the air was almost unbearable. She lowered her gaze, trying to gather her thoughts and move past him, but whether it was from the dizziness of embarrassment or sheer nervousness, she stumbled over the flat ground and the carpet beneath her feet.

“Careful,” Jethro said quickly, his reflexes kicking in as he caught her around the waist, steadying her.

He was tall, and from his vantage point, holding her from behind, he had an unmistakable view that sent a wave of heat through him.

Jethro’s ears flushed a deep red, and he instinctively averted his gaze, feeling the weight of the moment.

Darcy felt like crying; she wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

With her eyes squeezed shut, her voice trembled as she whispered, “Th-thank you.”

Then, like a startled rabbit, she dashed into the inner suite, threw on a robe, and re-emerged, desperately trying to regain her composure.

Just then, the door swung open, and Cindy stepped in.

“Hey, Jethro, you’re here?” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as they landed on the hangover soup resting on the table. “You’re the best!”

“Darcy, this one’s for you,” Jethro added, his tone gentle as he gestured toward the bowl.

So, Jethro had come all this way to bring them hangover soup.

Darcy picked up the bowl, cradling it in her hands as she took a sip, savoring the warmth but remaining silent.

Cindy, oblivious to the tension, chattered away next to her brother.

First, she vented about Zora, who had claimed her computer was broken during the presentation, her suspicion that it was a deliberate act hanging in the air.

Then she launched into a tirade about how awful Brandon had been, persistently pushing drinks on them, making the evening unbearable.

Jethro nodded occasionally, but his mind was elsewhere, drawn repeatedly to the woman beside him, quietly sipping her soup.

Inappropriate thoughts kept invading his mind, much to his dismay.

“Hey! Are you even listening?” Cindy’s voice broke through his reverie. “You’re spacing out while I’m talking? Hmph!”

Clearing his throat, Jethro pressed his fist against his lips, feeling the heat still radiating from his ears. “I should probably head out.”

“Wait a minute! Why are your ears and the back of your neck so red?” Cindy exclaimed, her voice rising in concern. “Oh my gosh, are you having an allergic reaction?!”

Darcy glanced over, worry etched on her face.

Could it be because of those two glasses of wine he had consumed for her sake?

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about it,” Jethro replied, shooting a quick glance at Darcy before making his exit.

Cindy rubbed her chin thoughtfully, her brow furrowing. “I feel like my brother was acting really weird tonight. Darcy, don’t you think?”

Right. Professor Reed had mentioned that if she didn’t understand something, she could always ask Jethro for help.

But recalling last night’s awkward encounter made her cheeks flush even more. “No need to bother him. We should just get ready,” she insisted, trying to dismiss the idea.

After they both got ready, they headed to the hotel’s first-floor restaurant for breakfast.

The breakfast buffet was a feast of options, and Darcy opted for a few local specialties, her appetite returning.

As she carried her plate in search of Cindy, she suddenly spotted Jethro sitting across from her.

Darcy halted mid-step, her heart racing as she forced herself to walk over.

“Good morning, Mr. Blackwood,” she greeted, her voice barely above a whisper. After the pleasantries, she quickly lowered her gaze, unwilling to meet his eyes again.

Jethro mirrored her actions, his gaze averted, unusually quiet.

Only Cindy, blissfully unaware of the tension, chattered away, reaching for a pastry from Darcy’s plate one moment and asking her brother about the coffee the next, her energy infectious.

As they neared the end of their breakfast, Cindy suddenly recalled the unresolved math problem from earlier and casually remarked, “Jethro, when you have a moment today, could you help Darcy with that math problem?”

She nudged Darcy’s elbow playfully. “Don’t be shy! My brother is really good at this.”

Darcy rubbed her forehead weakly, trying to refuse the offer. “Actually, I—”

“Sure,” Jethro interjected, surprising her with his immediate agreement.

Stunned, Darcy blinked at him. He had said yes just like that?

Jethro glanced at his phone calendar. “I’ll have time after 8 PM.”

“Perfect! It’s settled then,” Cindy said, nodding with satisfaction. “Come to our room tonight.”