Yulia snapped back to her senses after the p.
"I''m warning you—if you say one more thing against Victoria, we''re done."
Simms stormed off, not even ncing back.
It took Yulia a moment to process what had just happened, but then she hurried after him.
"Simms, it was my fault! Please, don''t leave me behind―"
She watched helplessly as his car pulled away, then scrambled after it, tripping over herself so badly that she lost her shoes in the process.
She chased the car for several hundred yards before Simms finally stopped. Panting, disheveled, and with one foot bare, Yulia caught up as he opened the passenger door.
"Get in."
Yulia''s face was stripped of all fear and meekness now. Simms still looked sullen, but it was clear his anger wasn''t aimed at her anymore.
"So, what do we do now?" she asked quietly.
Simms gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles whitened. "How should I know? I can''t believe that girl pulled a stunt like this on me. There''s no way we can let her stay..."
***
Meanwhile, Victoria heard the sound of Simms and Yulia leaving, but she didn''t give it a second thought.
No matter what, she was never going to let Yulia take her ce.
That night, Victoria went back to working on the game code for Gwh. Even though she caught a glimpse of her daughter outside with Violet,ughing and setting off fireworks, Victoria couldn''t pretend it didn''t sting. But as a mother, seeing her child smile was worth any pain.
After the divorce from McNeil, all she was now was Gwh''s mom.
Late at night, someone knocked at her door. Victoria had no idea what could be so urgent at this hour.
"Miss, Mr. Simms asked me to call you downstairs," Haley said quietly.
Victoria guessed Simms must have seen the light on in the study. She''d thought he''d left, but apparently he''de back.
"You wanted to see me?"
For now, under the same roof, Victoria wasn''t nning to start a fight.
"In a few days, it''ll be your grandmother''s birthday. Come with me to the party." Victoria''s lips pressed into a thin line. "I don''t think that''s necessary. I barely know your mother."
"Victoria, you''re still my daughter-don''t you think you ought to be there for your grandmother''s birthday? That''s settled. I''ll promise you this: I won''t marry Yulia."
He turned away, not waiting for her reaction.
Haley, who''d never liked Simms, whispered as she closed the door, "He''s always scheming, that one. You''ve barely met his family-be careful, Miss."
"I know, Haley. It''ste, go get some sleep."
Whatever game Simms was ying, Victoria would be ready.
***
The next morning, Victoria headed straight to the office.
Ailie from the nning department brought word: Victoria should keep working on
the code, and thepany would handle everything else.
Curtis agreed immediately as well.
Victoria calcted that, with the current pace, the game would be finished well before the fifth of next month.
Only one thing kept nagging at her-Lyndon.
He''d vanished without a trace.
Marcus had invited her to check out a car that weekend, so she brought along a few gifts for Max.
When she saw the McLaren, her heart nearly stopped. The front was crumpled, the engine mangled, the frame twisted out of shape. The suspension was missing altogether.
Victoria broke out in a cold sweat. Whoever had done this had meant real harm; it was a miracle no one had died.
"Give me a list of parts, I''ll find recements. You don''t need to fix it in forty minutes-three months is fine."
Marcus was giving her plenty of time. He didn''t think Victoria was one to brag, but still-three months seemed reasonable.
"Alright."
Victoria couldn''t guarantee it, though. If Lyndon agreed to help, it would take half an hour tops once the parts arrived.
After showing Marcus the damage, Max suddenly tugged at Victoria''s hand.
"Miss Fannie, Uncle says he''s taking me to the science fair. Will youe too?"