Right Person, Wrong Time

Following Colton's departure, everything proceeded without a hitch. Nicole soon reached her due date.
"Chloe, your bustling about is making me nervous." Nicole, with her hand resting on her swollen belly as she lay on the hospital
bed, watched Chloe's flurry of activity with a growing sense of unease.
This was her first experience with childbirth, and she was entirely unprepared. Seeing Chloe's frantic preparations only served to
heighten her anxiety.
Having ensured everything was in order, Chloe returned to Nicole's side and reassured her in a soothing voice, "It's okay. There's
no need to be afraid."
Meanwhile, at Hofstead Corporation.
"Miss Anderson is in labor today. You should represent us and check on her."
Kendrick suddenly instructed Darcy, who was tending to the indoor plants.
Darcy turned around in surprise. She was aware that Nicole was due to give birth today, but she had assumed Kendrick would
delegate this task to someone else, not her.
"What's the matter? Go on. Use the company card to get some lavish gifts," he suggested, looking up at Darcy and speaking
gently when she didn't respond.
She shook her head, then nodded. "Alright, I'll leave immediately."
With that, Darcy exited the office, her mind preoccupied with deciding where to buy the gifts.
Eventually, she purchased high-end skincare products and a few items for the baby before heading to the hospital.
By the time Darcy arrived at the hospital, Nicole had already given birth to a baby boy.

"Nicole, how are you feeling?" Chloe asked, looking at Nicole, who lay on the bed, visibly drained.
"I'm okay," Nicole replied. Her mind was still foggy from the ordeal of childbirth. She had simply followed the doctor's instructions
when she was giving birth. She spent the rest of the time in a daze.
"Miss Anderson," Darcy knocked on the door and addressed the two women inside.
Nicole glanced at Darcy standing at the door, her expression calm, seemingly unsurprised by Darcy's presence.
"Come in." Chloe invited Darcy in without further ado.
Darcy placed the gifts she had brought on the table beside her before turning to Nicole, who was lying on the bed looking pale,
and uttered softly, "I'm here on behalf of Hofstead Corporation to congratulate you on the birth of your son, Miss Anderson."
Seeing Nicole in her current state stirred mixed feelings within Darcy. Even now, the baby's father was conspicuously absent.
"Thank you. Please have a seat." Nicole gestured weakly toward a chair next to her.
Darcy's presence today was undoubtedly orchestrated by Kendrick, but his motives remained a mystery.
Over the past three months, the rivalry between Colton and Kendrick had become increasingly evident. Kendrick's attempts to
penetrate the Restradian market were consistently thwarted by Colton, and the business community in both countries was well
aware of their ongoing feud.
At this point, many had chosen sides.
Darcy's stance was still ambiguous, but one thing was clear: she was as surprised as Nicole was that she had been chosen to
deliver the congratulations.
Her actions were somewhat restrained, indicating her discomfort.
"Thank you for coming today, especially on such short notice." Nicole broke the silence, attempting to alleviate the awkwardness.

"No, not at all," Darcy replied in a soft voice, shaking her head.
Chloe sat next to Nicole and stared at Darcy. She sensed a change that she couldn't pinpoint in Darcy. Darcy appeared to be
less haughty than before.
"Miss Anderson, I have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now. I'll visit again when I get the chance." Darcy, unable
to bear the tension any longer, stood up and announced that with her gaze lowered.
She found it difficult to face Nicole under the current circumstances.