Why is it single-yer only? I can''t even y online, and it''s not nearly as fun as the one I tried out with Violet this afternoon.


    Is this really the awesome new game Mom promised would make me happy?


    Gwh felt a wave of disappointment wash over her.


    Noticing Gwh''s sour mood, Xenia walked over with a look of concern.


    "Miss Gwh, is something wrong?"


    "It''s no fun at all. Are you sure Mom picked this out for me?"


    Xenia honestly had no idea, but this was definitely what Mrs. Evans had instructed.


    "Maybe you should call and ask her?" Xenia suggested.


    Immediately, Gwh tapped her smartwatch and dialed Victoria.


    Victoria was at the office, watching a video of that morning''s gameunch event. Just as Ailie came to check on her, she realized Victoria already knew everything. Ailie felt a pang of regret, wanting tofort her, but then Gwh''s call came through.


    On the screen, theunch event was in full swing, with McNeil, Violet, and Gwh acting like the picture-perfect family. Only then did Victoria understand why she hadn''t seen her daughter at home earlier.


    "Mom, is thisme game really what you got me? It''s not even fun!" Gwhined, her voiceced with usation. She''d even called the game Victoria had designed me." Victoria''s face fell, a flicker of pain crossing her features as she tore her gaze from the trio on screen. Gwh''s words hit her like a punch to the gut.


    "You yed the online version, didn''t you?" Victoria asked, cutting straight to the point.


    Gwh was silent for a moment, guilt coloring her expression. It was true-she''d yed the online demo with Violet that morning.


    "This is just the single-yer version. I wanted you to try it out and see what you thought. When the online version is ready, you can be one of the first to test it. I wrote this game myself. If there''s anything you don''t like, just tell me and I''ll fix it," Victoria said gently.


    Gwh''s lips curled into a pout.


    "Mom, you''re such a liar. Ms. Marchand wrote this game, not you."


    As soon as she said it, Gwh realized she''d slipped-she''d identally let it slip that she''d been out with Ms. Marchand. Now Mom would know and start another argument with Dad.


    Just a moment ago, Violet and Dad had promised to throw her a birthday party. Now Mom knew everything.


    Panic shed across Gwh''s face. She stammered, "Uh-Mom, I have to go study this afternoon. I''ll talk to youter, bye!"


    She hung up and bolted out the door, desperate to escape before Victoria coulde after her.


    If Victoria caught her, she wouldn''t be allowed to leave the house and neither would Dad. Their birthday party ns would be ruined. Mom always found a way to stop them, and Gwh had had enough of her interference.


    Victoria listened to the dead line, then slowly looked up at Ailie. "What were you saying?"


    At noon, Curtis had chosen a cozy little bistro and invited Victoria to lunch, making sure to include Ailie.


    Every time, Curtis picked somewhere with a romantic vibe.


    But it never seemed to make a difference.


    Ailie had dutifullye along, oblivious to Curtis''s hints.


    He was at his wit''s end.


    "Victoria, there''s something I need to exin," Curtis began.


    Ailie sat across from Victoria, ring daggers at Curtis, making him visibly ufortable.


    Victoria gave a faint, resigned smile. "You mean the gameunch? It''s really not that big of a deal-"


    "Not that big of a deal? You wrote the entire code, and Violet didn''t just borrow it— she outright stole it! Mr. Garcia, that''s theft. Is there any legal recourse here? Can we call the police?" Ailie''s nails nearly scratched grooves into the tabletop.


    Curtis looked troubled. "Ms. Marchand has McNeil-the CEO of the Langford Group-backing her. Victoria, I hope you understand what we''re up against."