She took the elevator upstairs. No sooner had she sat down at her desk than Rowan knocked and entered.
In Darcy’s mind, Rowan was synonymous with Jethro. His visit likely meant Jethro had instructions for her.
“Mr. Kerr, please, have a seat.” Darcy gestured to a chair and moved to pour him some water.
Rowan quickly waved her off. “That’s very kind, Ms. Gale, but no need. I’m just here to deliver something. I’ll be on my way after.”
Darcy was puzzled. “What is it?”
“This is for you.” Rowan handed her a small box.
Darcy opened it. Inside was a car key.
A Mercedes key!
Almost instantly, she connected it to the new Mercedes van parked downstairs.
Her mind went blank for a second. “A company car? For me?”
“Yes. Mr. Blackwood instructed the corporate services department to procure it. It’s for your exclusive use.”
After Rowan left, Darcy suddenly remembered that evening the previous week when she’d run into Jethro at the entrance, and he’d asked if she had a driver’s license.
So he was already planning this then.
Company cars for executives were quite common. Some companies even provided them for sales staff, all to facilitate better work.
Darcy had worked at SummitCore Tech for five years. Zane had never once thought to get her a company car.
She had only just arrived at Stratagem Tech, hadn’t even officially started her permanent role, and Jethro had already provided her with a Mercedes van.
The more she compared, the clearer it became how little Zane had truly cared for her.
After a moment’s thought, Darcy dialed Jethro’s extension.
It was as if he had been expecting her call. He answered with a smile. “Received the key?”
Darcy pressed her lips together. “Yes, I have. Thank you, Mr. Blackwood.”
Jethro chuckled. “What’s there to thank? The car is registered to the company, not a gift to you.”
“Regardless, I’m the one using it. So, thank you,” Darcy insisted.
Jethro rubbed his temple. “Alright then. I accept your thanks.”
He then asked, “You’re doing the POC at
Easemark Ventures today, right?”
“Yes. Cade and I are going this afternoon.”
“Good. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need me to step in and coordinate anything.”
He finished speaking, but there was no reply from the other end for a long moment.
He held the receiver for a while longer before realizing the line had already gone dead.
He felt a twinge of embarrassment and annoyance.
Why did I zone out just now?
…
In the afternoon, Cade knocked on Darcy’s office door, saying he was ready and asking when they should leave.
Darcy picked up her bag and business cards. “Let’s go now.”
Cade nodded, unlocking his phone to book a ride. Darcy stopped him.
“Mr. Blackwood arranged a car for me. It’s parked downstairs. I’ll drive.”
“What?!” Cade was utterly shocked.
When Darcy produced the Mercedes van key, his voice cracked. “A Mercedes van?! He must really value you!”
Darcy smiled as the elevator arrived. She stepped in. “It wasn’t bought specifically for me. It’s registered to the company. Anyone can use it for work purposes.”
Cade clicked his tongue, stroking his chin. “Cindy is his own sister, and even she doesn’t get that kind of treatment.”
He raised his brows, all gossipy. “You think Mr. Blackwood might be interested in you?”
Darcy rolled her eyes. “Get your mind out of the gutter!”
They exited the main doors.
Jax stepped out from behind the wall near the break room, his face dark.
He had overheard their conversation by chance, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Why does Darcy get everything the moment she joins?!
I have the seniority, the technical skills, and the management ability! Why was I passed over for CEO when I recommended myself, while she gets this red-carpet treatment?
Hmph. What does a young woman like her have to offer? Nothing but her looks, using her body to get ahead!
A few of his team members walked towards him, discussing the new Mercedes van downstairs in low voices.
Spotting Jax, they immediately stopped talking and nodded in greeting.
Jax’s lips curled into a smirk. “Do you know who that van downstairs belongs to?”
“No.”
“It was specially bought by Mr. Blackwood for Ms. Gale,” he said sneeringly.
“Huh?” They exchanged glances, falling silent but clearly forming their own conclusions.
Mr. Blackwood and Ms. Gale…
Jax smiled thinly. “Don’t get the wrong idea. Mr. Blackwood and Ms. Gale have a purely professional relationship. Ms. Gale got where she is on merit.”
His team members stared at his retreating back, lost in thought.
Was it really just professional? Did she really get there on merit alone?
Mr. Steel must know something we don’t.
Someone couldn’t resist the gossip any longer and started a discussion in a small private chat.
By that afternoon, most people had heard the rumor that Darcy had slept her way to the top.
…
They arrived at the Easemark Ventures headquarters, parked, and got out. Cade, ever perceptive, walked ahead of Darcy and proactively opened the main door for her.
He made an exaggerated “after you” gesture. “After you, Ms. Gale!”
Darcy laughed, successfully amused, and didn’t stand on ceremony, walking in first.
Inside, Cade hurried over to the reception desk to check in. After he provided the information, the female receptionist made a call to verify their appointment.
Her previously sweet smile suddenly froze.
Cade sensed something was wrong. “Is there a problem?”
The receptionist hung up the phone and gave him an apologetic nod. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ve verified with the assistant to the IT Manager, Mr. Stone. There is no appointment for you. I cannot let you upstairs.”
“What?! No way! We definitely have an appointment! I’ll show you the confirmation!” Cade was agitated, accidentally letting a curse word slip out.
The receptionist frowned, now even more convinced these two were pushy salespeople with no real appointment, trying to sneak upstairs.
“I’m sorry, sir. Please don’t make a scene,” she said, giving him a disdainful look.
A security guard standing nearby turned to watch them.
Cade was about to argue further when Darcy stopped him.
She patted his shoulder gently. “Don’t panic. There must be some misunderstanding. There’s a caf? over there. Let’s go sit and wait.”
At the caf?, Darcy ordered two iced lattes and pushed one towards Cade. “Have some coffee. Cool down.”
Fuming, Cade grabbed the coffee and gulped down half of it in one go.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.