349 Darwin stared at his phone in disbelief as Zoe's name flashed on the screen. After their last encounter, he had expected her to avoid him indefinitely. With a deep breath, he answered tentatively, unsure of what to expect. "Hello?" Darwin greeted cautiously. "Darwin," Zoe's voice came through
350 The night was long for Darwin, his mind racing with thoughts of Blackwood's vendetta and Zoe's unexpected call. He barely slept, his eyes opening before dawn. As soon as the sun rose, he got out of bed and immediately dialed James' number anxiously, needing to understand why Harrison Blackwood
351 Darwin was very surprised by Zoe's understanding and forgiveness. After their heartfelt conversation at La Petite Café, he left the restaurant feeling a mixture of relief and gratitude. As he walked through the bustling streets, his thoughts turned to Dencia. He pulled out his phone and dialed
352 Darwin frowned deeply. "So Blackwood may be involved with them too. We must stay vigilant - their Ends clearly involve more than just business." Just then, Claire entered with documents for Darwin to review. "You work too hard, sir. Please try to rest," she said with concern in her eyes. Da
353 As the main course was served – a perfectly cooked steak with roasted vegetables – Darwin finally set down his fork and looked at his mother. “Mother, I need your advice. Silverwood Innovations is proving to be a formidable opponent. They’re undercutting our prices and poaching our clients. We
354 She sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Darwin, I…" She hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. Sensing a crack in her resolve, Darwin pressed on. "Please, Mother. Just tell me the truth. I can handle it." Lady Margaret turned away, her back to him as she stared out the window.
355 Darwin's eyes widened in shock. "Wait," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "Father is dead?" Lady Margaret's eyes welled up with tears. She took a deep breath, her composure wavering. "Yes, Darwin. He died five years ago." Darwin felt as if the ground had shifted beneath him. "Why did
356 Darwin's mind was reeling with questions and emotions. He felt like his whole world had been turned upside down. He thought he knew his family's history, but now he realized he knew nothing. "Tell me more," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Lady Margaret nodded, her eyes filled with