She hadn''t paid attention to the international F1 circuit for six years now, and her team was still based out of Evermore City. If she wanted to meet Osborn''s
demands, she''d have to do what she didst time-track down every single one of her old teammates and pull them together again.
Victoria sat at her desk, scrolling through recent F1 Grand Prix results online, when Yasmine knocked on the door.
"Ms. Turner, there''s a package for you."
Victoria motioned for her toe in. Yasmine entered, bncing arge gift box in her arms.
"Go ahead, open it."
It had to be a gown from Curtis.
Yasmine carefully undid the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside was an elegant strapless evening dress, its long train cascading in softyers from the ankle down, spreading out like a waterfall.
Tiny crystals were sewn onto the fabric, so that with every movement, the dress shimmered as if draped in starlight—a gxy spun across her shoulders.
Victoria thought it was a bit over the top. With her fair skin and striking features, she could steal the spotlight in even the inest white dress.
All this for a wee reception? Wasn''t it a bit much?
Besides, Violet would be there she was likely the true center of attention. "Wow, Ms. Turner, this dress is just..." Yasmine breathed, clearly awestruck.
"Find a courier and send it back."
Victoria shook her head, feeling the dress was entirely too showy.
Unless she was attending a major g, wearing something like this would attract far too much attention.
Victoria had never liked being in the spotlight, and with her marriage to McNeil in such an awkward state, any public exposure could risk revealing her identity.
She wasn''t interested in that kind of drama.
Yasmine looked disappointed. She was certain Ms. Turner would be the star of the evening in that dress.
Before sending it back, Victoria called Curtis.
"It''s not even that dramatic—a little glitz is nothing. Trust me, this isn''t the shiest thing you''ll see tomorrow night," Curtis reassured her, reading her mind.
Victoria got the message. Tomorrow''s "wee reception" was just a front-what she was really being drawn into was another high-society g, with Quantum Core Technologies merely ying host.
Relieved, she decided to keep the dress.
The next day at the office, Victoria sensed something was off. There was a different energy in the air.
She and Ailie hadn''t even reached the elevator when a crowd swept past, escorting a woman in the center.
"This way, Ms. Marchand. Mr. Garcia asked us to show you around thepany first."
Victoria had been here two days, and already met all the senior staff.
Violet, though, was just a deputy manager in venture capital. Normally, one executive would suffice for a tour, but today nearly everypany bigwig was there, falling over themselves to be at her side.
"Even Mr. Garcia doesn''t get this kind of wee. All this for the boss''s girlfriend -unbelievable," Ailie muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes. She was the only senior manager who hadn''t shown up to greet Violet.
"I''m sorry to
ouble all you busy
managers," Violet said politely. She wore a custom-tailored suit, chin lifted just so. Though only a deputy manager, she carried herself with a confidence that made her seem far above her station.
"Oh, not at all! Ms. Marchand, you''re a Northriver University MBA—a rare talent in finance. We''d all love to
learn from you," one of the exec
replied. They''d all done their homework: Violet Marchand was someone even Mr. Garcia deferred to.
After all, Violet was dating McNeil, CEO of The Langford Group, and it was only a matter of time before she became Mrs. Langford. Mr. Garcia''s ties with The Langford Group ran deep, and he''d made a point of throwing avish wee party for Violet''s arrival-a first for anyone at thepany.
Just then, the group rounded a corner and nearly ran into Ailie and Victoria.
"Oh! Ms. Ailie, Victoria?" someone called out.
Violet hadn''t expected to run into Victoria here, and her expression flickered for a moment.
But with McNeil nowhere in sight, Violet had nothing to fear from her.