Violet was a little surprised to see McNeil already scooping Gwh into his


    arms.


    "In a bit, we''ll join Ms. Marchand for the race," he said, ncing at Violet.


    **The Turner Family**


    Victoria ran onest test on the single-yer version of the racing game. Satisfied that everything worked perfectly, she packed up and headed to McNeil''s vi.


    Hearing the car pull up, Xenia came to the door. For a moment, she just stared- taken aback to see Victoria standing there.


    "Ma''am?"


    What''s she doing back all of a sudden?


    "Is Gwyn here?" Victoria asked, bncing arge birthday cake, a doll, and a toy racecar-Gwh''s favorites-on her arms.


    Xenia quickly opened the door to let her in. She assumed Victoria was here to check on Mr. McNeil, but ever since he''d recovered from his illness, he hadn''t been home at all.


    "Miss Gwh hasn''te back, ma''am."


    How could Gwh be home? Last time, one of Mr. McNeil''s girlfriends had tracked him down here, and after some drama, both she and Gwh had left together. Honestly, Gwh always seemed much closer to that woman than she ever was to Victoria.


    "She''s still not back?" Victoria frowned. When Gwh had called earlier, she''d assumed her daughter would be waiting at home. She''d dyed a bit, making somest-minute tweaks to the game, and now guilt pricked at her she hadn''t even brought Yasmine along, just rushed straight over.


    Today was Gwh''s birthday—and also theunch date for the new game. Technically, Victoria should be at the release event, and she''d even taken the day off for it. Ailie, her boss, insisted that the lead developer needed to be there in person, determined to prove to the rest of thepany that Victoria was more than just a pretty face trying to climb thedder on Mr. Garcia''s coattails.


    But when push came to shove, Victoria''s decision was clear: her daughter came first. Everything else could wait.


    Xenia hurried to make her a cup of tea, standing nervously nearby.


    "Ma''am, are you here for a special reason?" she ventured. Not that she meant to pry, but with the cake and gifts, it was pretty clear Victoria was here for Gwh''s birthday.


    Mr. McNeil and the little miss hadn''t returned home in weeks. It seemed even less likely they''d show up today.


    "It''s Gwyn''s birthday," Victoria said, her voice softening. "She called and asked me to wait for her at home."


    So that was it, Xenia realized. Miss Gwh had called her mother home.


    **Quantum Core Technologies: Game Launch Event**


    McNeil''s driver dropped the group off at theunch venue.


    Inside the car, Gwh eyed Violet skeptically. "Ms. Marchand, weren''t we supposed to go watch the race?"


    "We will, I promise. But first, we''re stopping by a gameunch event. Once that''s over, we''ll head to the track-today''s just a test run, anyway. The real race is next week, and that''ll be much more exciting," Violet replied, shing McNeil a yful wink.


    She handed him her work outfit. "You go change. I''ll take Gwyn down first." Violet reached for his hand, teasing, "Come on, I''ll just change here in the car. Gwyn''s a girl-she won''t care. Besides—"


    A subtle blush crept across her cheeks.


    "There''s really no need for us to be so formal, is there?"


    McNeil gently pulled his hand away. "You''ll get married someday. You should care."


    With that, he scooped up Gwh and stepped out of the car. In a blink, he and Gwh had vanished from sight.


    Left alone, Violet sat with her change of clothes, stunned.


    What did he mean-she''d get married someday? What was that supposed to imply?


    Theunch event buzzed with energy. Racing game fans, some decked out in borate cosy, mingled with celebrities Curtis had invited for extra ir. Reporters scrambled for the best shots.


    Violet stepped out of the car with her work badge slung around her neck, long hair cascading over her shoulders—a striking, confident presence that immediately drew attention.


    Beside her, McNeil carried Gwh in one arm and held Violet''s hand in the other. Handsome man, stylish woman, and an adorable little girl-the three of them looked like they''d walked out of a fashion magazine, instantly bing the center of attention.