In everyone''s eyes, Violet held an unshakable position at both Quantum Core Technologies and The Langford Group.


    For the moment, she was the center of attention. People scrambled to tter her, eager to curry favor.


    Victoria watched the crowd for a long time, ultimately abandoning the idea of forcing her way over to speak with McNeil.


    As long as McNeil stood at Violet''s side, the two of them drew every gaze in the room. Word soon spread about Violet''s impressive credentials—a master''s in finance from Northriver University. Behind closed doors, there was only envy and resignation: some people really were just born under a luckier star.


    Her own abilities aside, Violet had the backing of two CEOs from publicly tradedpanies. It was obvious that her future would be nothing but bright.


    Victoria turned away, melting quietly into an unobtrusive corner.


    Meanwhile, McNeil slipped out of the crowd unnoticed, just as his phone buzzed. Xenia, the housekeeper, was calling to say that Gwh was at home, in tears and begging to go out.


    He frowned instinctively. "Where''s Victoria? Isn''t she home?"


    Xenia was never one to meddle in her employers'' affairs, but she was always honest.


    "Ma''am hasn''te home yet."


    A wave of annoyance washed over McNeil. Victoria was bing more and more unreasonable. At this hour, what was she still doing out?


    Didn''t she realize she had a family? That she was a mother?


    He started dialing Victoria''s number. At that moment, Victoria was already preparing to leave the ballroom. She was tired, and since she hadn''t seen Gwh at the event, she figured she might as well go back to McNeil''s ce to check on her.


    As soon as Victoria answered, McNeil''s voice came through-sharp and usatory. "Where are you? Xenia says you''re not home."


    Standing on the second floor, Victoria looked down at McNeil, phone in hand, her expression cool.


    "I had something to take care of."


    McNeil''s irritation was obvious. "Busy? You spend all day at home living in luxury, sheltered from the world. What could possibly be more important than taking care of your own daughter?"


    A mocking smile touched Victoria''s lips. "McNeil, I''m not your shadow."


    "Go home right now," McNeil snapped. "Gwyn''s crying her eyes out at home, and I might not make it back tonight. You can''t just leave her by herself."


    The whole time, Victoria watched as McNeil hovered anxiously around Violet, careful not to leave her side, yet he had no problem raising his voice at Victoria over the phone.


    Just then, Curtis appeared. "Victoria, I''ve been looking all over for you."


    Victoria lowered her voice into the phone. "I''m heading home now."


    She hung up on McNeil.


    For a few seconds, McNeil just stared at the phone in a daze.


    Had he imagined it, or was there a man''s voice in the background on Victoria''s end?


    He nced up and caught a glimpse of a striking figure in a blue dress on the second floor. Though she


    some distance away, somethias


    about her seemed awfully familiar.


    "McNeil, a reporter wants us to pose for a photo together," Violet cooed as she slipped her arm through his.


    He didn''t respond, his gaze still following the fleeting silhouette in blue. Violet followed his line of sight, catching only a brief sh before the woman disappeared.


    "Who was that? Do you know her?" Violet''s tone was tinged with jealousy.


    She''d never seen McNeil so fixated on another woman before.


    "I don''t know her," McNeil replied coolly.


    Maybe he was just seeing things. Why would he mistake that woman in the blue evening gown for Victoria?


    Even if Victoria wasn''t home, he


    always figured she''d be shopping or out for a stroll. In Victoria''s world, there was only him and their daughter. To her, they were as


    essential as air and water. She


    couldn''t possibly be anywhere else.


    Curtis was ready to escort Victoria downstairs. He and McNeil had been friends


    since childhood, and soon Isaac and Marcus arrived as well.


    They''d all been moring to meet the woman Curtis had his eye on, and tonight seemed as good a time as any.


    "Mr. Garcia, I''m sorry, but I''ll have to excuse myself," Victoria said. "My daughter''s home alone, and I''m really notfortable with that."