Chapter 30 – Everything Taken. I Left to Become CEO

His gaze swept over the books piled on her side of the table. The words “GRAD SCHOOL PREP” made his eyebrows lift slightly.

“What’s this?” Jethro looked at Darcy.

Seeing his expression, Darcy knew he’d jumped to a conclusion. She hurried to explain, “Mr. Blackwood, please don’t misunderstand. I’m preparing for grad school, but it won’t interfere with my work. It’s a part-time program. Weekend classes.”

Jethro hadn’t actually misunderstood. On the drive back after his uncle’s birthday, Alistair had mentioned it. He knew about the missed student-teacher connection between Darcy and his uncle.

He gave a casual, low “Mhmm,” but his brow remained faintly furrowed.

Watching his face, Darcy bit her lip.

Putting herself in his shoes… if she were Jethro and saw the employee she’d just headhunted already studying for grad school, she’d have doubts too.

When they barely knew each other, how could he be sure what was true?

Yeah, his worry makes sense.

Darcy set her pen down, thinking for a moment, about to offer a more heartfelt explanation.

But Jethro stroked his chin, his expression serious as he said, “Darcy, I told you – off the clock, don’t call me Mr. Blackwood. Call me Jethro.”

Darcy’s nerves had been wound tight trying to find the right words.

That’s what he was frowning about?

She almost laughed. The tension drained from her shoulders.

“Okay… Jethro.”

Perhaps because it was the second time she’d said it, his name came out surprisingly smooth.

His eyelids flickered, looking rather pleased.

After this little detour, and feeling sufficiently rested, Darcy immediately dove back into her studies with deep focus.

Warm sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a beam of golden light right over her.

But the person bathed in that light was completely unaware.

The scene looked serene and beautiful.

Jethro crossed his long legs, leaning back in his chair, quietly watching her.

A long time passed before he realized he was still on the same page – the very first page of his book.

He shook his head slightly and looked down to find the table of contents, then forgot what he was even looking for in the first place. What information did I need to find again?

The professional book was as thick as a brick. Without using the index to locate what he needed, he’d be flipping through it forever.

A flicker of impatience made him glance up again. The woman across from him was totally calm and focused, not even looking up, as if he weren’t there at all.

This was a bit… unfamiliar for Jethro, who had been the center of female attention everywhere he went since he could remember.

He turned his head slightly, casually scanning the surroundings, and immediately met the gazes of several young women.

Their looks were the kind Jethro was very accustomed to.

His gaze returned to the woman opposite him, then dropped back to the pages of his book.

That strange restlessness crept back in.

Fortunately, the vibrating phone on the table came to his rescue just in time.

Jethro picked it up and walked toward the library entrance, keeping his voice low.

Ten minutes later, the phone call finished, and he returned.

But the seat opposite him was empty.

Well, not entirely – her books were still there, her notebook still there.

And on the open notebook page, a few large, bold words were written.

He leaned down to look. It was a message from Darcy.

“Had to bounce. Lunchtime.”

The handwriting was forceful and strong, the strokes sharp and deep – not the delicate, pretty script of most girls, more like a guy’s handwriting.

Jethro smiled, picked up a pen, and wrote his reply underneath.

“I’ll find you.”

Quest University had several cafeterias.

But based on what Jethro knew of Darcy – not a foodie, not picky, always looking to save time – he figured she’d choose the closest one.

Confident in his guess, he strolled downstairs.

On the way, he attracted plenty of glances from female students. A few bold ones even approached, asking for his contact info.

Jethro turned them all down flat.

Inside the cafeteria, he scanned the room for Darcy.

He was tall enough to have a decent vantage point standing in the middle of the bustling hall, but he still didn’t see her.

Was I wrong? Is she not here?

“Bram, is the roast chicken here any good?”

Jethro had just pulled out his phone to text Darcy and ask where she was when a familiar voice made him pause.

He followed the sound.

There was Darcy, smiling brightly, discussing which dishes were good with Bram.

That smile was completely different from the reserved, cautious one she wore around him.

Jethro’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He knew Bram, his uncle’s prized student.

He hadn’t expected Darcy to be that close with Bram.

Jethro picked up a tray and strode over, stopping behind them.

“The roast chicken’s so-so. The smoked brisket and honey-glazed ham are better.”

His deep voice made both Darcy and Bram startle and turn around.

Seeing it was Jethro, Darcy blinked in surprise.

Why is he still here?

Does he need to stay for lunch just to read a book?

Wouldn’t it be better to borrow it and take it home?

She only dared to ask these questions in her mind. Outwardly, she just smiled lightly, “You’re eating here too?”

“Yes. Continuing with the books this afternoon.”

Bram, standing across, studied Jethro carefully. The clothes, the manners, the way he spoke – everything screamed old money.

Still… he looked familiar.

Bram kept his doubts to himself for now.

Taking Jethro’s suggestion, Darcy ordered the smoked brisket and honey-glazed ham, plus a side of veggies and a helping of mashed potatoes.

Then she and Bram carried their trays to find an empty table.

They had just sat down when Jethro pulled out the chair next to Darcy and sat down, calm and natural, as if the three of them had planned to eat together all along.

Bram shot Darcy a subtle look.

Who is this guy?

Darcy suddenly remembered she hadn’t introduced them.

“This is my new boss, Jethro Blackwood.”

---