The scene wasplete chaos, but Yasmine seemed to be enjoying herself. She picked up a ss of milky-white liquid and took a big sip.


    Victoria shot her a look. "That''s vodka. You''re supposed to be drivingter."


    Just a moment ago, Victoria herself had taken a cautious sip from a small ss of wine.


    Forget it, she thought. We''ll just call a cab.


    Emboldened by the alcohol and themotion, Yasmine zeroed in on the cheap box containing the jade pendant, snatched it, and slipped it into her bag without anyone noticing.


    Once they were both in the car, Yasmine handed the box straight to Victoria.


    "Ms. Turner, keep this safe. Ugh, those people are shameless."


    No sooner had she finished cursing than she copsed onto the backseat, dead to the world.


    Victoria could only shake her head in disbelief. She instructed the driver to take them back to the Turner estate.


    Meanwhile, Janice''s house was in utter disarray. Violet and McNeil hadn''t even waited for the party to end-they''d left early.


    Sitting in the car, Violet looked at McNeil, guilt written all over her face.


    "I had no idea Ms. Turner was actually your biological daughter''s stepmother. If I''d known, I wouldn''t have brought you to meet my great-aunt tonight."


    What really stung was that the antique vase and jade McNeil had just spent millions bidding on were now shattered, and Victoria had walked away with a valuablendscape painting as well.


    McNeil''s face was set in a grim line. He was silent for a long moment before speaking in a low, even tone.


    "It''s not your fault."


    He''d picked up enough of high society''s gossip over the years.


    The matriarch of the Miller family was celebrating her birthday, and the Nelsons had always had ties with the Millers, so it was only natural for Hamlin Nelson and his family to attend.


    Kaley knew that Marian was Edith''s daughter, and that Marian had once stolen her fiancé—so it was no surprise that not a single member of the Hughes family showed up tonight.


    But why had Kaley suddenly appeared, and gone straight for Marian? It was clearly a setup.


    Too many coincidences stop being coincidences.


    Of everyone present, Victoria was probably the only one with a grudge against the Millers.


    But from what McNeil knew of Victoria, she just wasn''t that kind of person.


    She was generous and kind, always putting others first-even with Violet, she''d


    gone out of her way to avoid conflict. This wasn''t her style.


    He''d suspected her for a second, but quickly dismissed the thought.


    Anything involving Victoria, he honestly couldn''t be bothered to dwell on.


    The divorce agreement was signed. The papers were filed. Whatever had existed between him and Victoria, aside from their daughter Gwh, was over.


    Victoria''s days grew busier.


    Quantum Core Technologies had a mountain of work waiting for her. She needed to finish testing the code she''d written for Gwh''s app, get it ready forunch, and lead her team in the uing rallypetition in Starfall City.


    McNeil faded further and further from her life. She barely remembered what it was like to have him around-until, one day, he showed up on her doorstep.


    Haley answered the door. "Sir?" she asked, surprise flickering in her eyes. McNeil had probably guessed that after Victoria left, she''d take Haley with her.


    "Is Mrs. Turner home?"


    He''d already been to the ce where she''d been staying with another man, but the staff there said she was gone. The only other ce he could think of was the Turner estate.


    "Please wait a moment. I''ll go get her."


    Haley didn''t invite him in. She closed the door and went to find Victoria.


    McNeil noticed that Haley had called Victoria "Miss," and his brows drew together


    in a faint frown.


    A few minutester, the door opened again.


    No one invited him inside; instead, Victoria stepped out to meet him.


    "What do you want?" Her tone was cool and detached.


    They usually handled everything by phone or text. It was rare for him to show up in person, especially here.


    "Grandfather wants us both toe home for dinner."


    McNeil''s striking eyes took in the way Victoria braced herself against the door,


    clearly defensive, and his expression darkened.


    "You haven''t told him about our divorce yet?"


    Victoria had no desire to go.


    McNeil pulled out a long, elegant gift box-something old and finely crafted.


    "This is for you."


    Victoria barely spared it a nce. "I don''t think it''s appropriate for you to try to win me over with a collectible that cost you millions, Mr. Langford."


    McNeil didn''t bother to correct her assumption or point out her misced pride.