Director Louie was sweating bullets. He knew full well that Stein had made it clear -no one was to disturb him. But McNeil was another big shot he couldn''t afford to


    offend.


    As Louie stood there, caught between a rock and a hard ce, Stein broke the silence.


    "Director Louie, tell my assistant to wait for me on the rooftop."


    Relieved as if he''d just been granted a pardon, Louie blurted out a hasty "Sure!" and practically stumbled out of the room.


    With everyone else gone, Stein''s expression grew even colder.


    "So, what is it you want to say?"


    "In the military, interfering with a soldier''s marriage cannd you in prison-or worse. General Campbell is a high-ranking officer. If he''s getting involved in someone else''s marriage, it wouldn''t be out of ce for him to face a court- martial, would it?"


    McNeil''s tone was icy, his anger barely contained. He was sure now-the man shacking up with Victoria was standing right in front of him.


    Stein gave a dismissiveugh. "Is Mr. Langford even married? From what I''ve seen, his world has always been a bachelor''s yground. Otherwise, why unt a girlfriend with no official title in public?"


    McNeil''s jaw clenched so tight it looked like he might grind his teeth to dust. "My personal life is none of your business. I don''t owe you an exnation."


    Stein wasn''t interested in arguing.


    "If you refuse to admit you have a wife, then no one''s destroying your marriage. You''re the only one making a mess of it, McNeil. And you''d better remember who you''re talking to. When the military courtes calling, it won''t be Stein on trial."


    With that, Stein strode forward, brushing past McNeil. McNeil''s fists tightened so hard his knuckles turned white; he''d never wanted to punch someone as badly as he did now. If he didn''t get it out of his system, he might explode.


    "McNeil?"


    A clear female voice echoed from the bend at the end of the hallway. Stein nced indifferently over his shoulder; McNeil forced himself to unclench his fists, letting his hands fall to his sides.


    Violet hade looking for McNeil, following the path he''d just taken. She spotted him at the far end of the corridor with Stein.


    Even from a distance, Violet could sense the tension crackling between the two men. The air was thick with unspoken hostility.


    "General Campbell, I didn''t expect to see you here," she greeted, her tone warm.


    Stein didn''t bother acknowledging her. He didn''t owe her-or McNeil-so much as a nod. He walked on, eyes straight ahead, as if the hallway was empty.


    Violet, unustomed to such chilly indifference, felt a wave of difort. But Stein was from Evermore City-there was no point getting upset about it.


    She turned to McNeil. "What did you want with General Campbell?"


    Maybe it was a woman''s intuition, but Violet sensed that something wasn''t quite right between McNeil and Stein.


    "Is there bad blood between you two?"


    McNeil''s face remained hard. "Let''s go."


    This time, he didn''t wait for Violet. He walked off alone.


    Meanwhile, after the luncheon ended, Victoria drove Marcus''s car to his office, nning to return it.


    Marcus nced at her, unhurried. "If you need it, feel free to keep it a bit longer. Your own car''s engine is still being fixed-it''ll take some time."


    But Victoria insisted on returning the keys. She didn''t want to owe anyone favors —especially not Marcus, who was McNeil''s friend. If she ever finished what she''d set out to do, her greatest wish was to cut all ties with McNeil and anyone connected to him.


    Seeing her determination, Marcus had no choice but to ept the keys.


    "Are you free tonight? Max misses you, and I''d love to take you out for dinner. You always say you don''t have time, so why not today?"


    Marcus didn''t want to miss another chance to see Victoria. No woman had ever intrigued him the way she did-she was aplete enigma, practically begging to be unraveled.


    He wanted to know about her past, why she''d chosen to be a race mechanic. A woman as beautiful and talented as her was bound to spark anyone''s curiosity.


    “I—” Victoria searched for an excuse, not wanting to get entangled with Marcus.


    "I''m about to work the F1 rally. There''s really no time. After the race, I promise I''ll treat you to a meal."


    It was the best excuse she coulde up with.


    "You''re participating?" Marcus had seen her work on cars, but never behind the wheel.


    "Yes, I''ll be there as a mechanic, overseeing the team and making sure the drivers'' cars are in top shape. Mr. Green has tickets-he says it''s going to be a great event."


    She noticed the spark of interest in Marcus''s eyes and suddenly wondered if she''d just made a mistake.


    Violet was a driver-she''d definitely be at the race. McNeil would be there too. Violet had given everyone at Quantum Core Technologies tickets, which meant Curtis would show up, and now Marcus, who knew her identity, wanted toe as well.


    Victoria felt a wave of anxiety.


    She''d worked so hard to keep her identity under wraps. If it came out during the race, it would do her no favors.


    "The day of the race?" Marcus looked disappointed. "I''m flying out to Europe tomorrow. I won''t be able to make it, but I''ll be cheering for your team from afar.”


    Victoria felt a small surge of relief. Her smile at Marcus was genuine. "Here''s your car back. I''ll call you when you get back from your trip."


    She made a calling gesture and summoned a taxi on her phone.


    As she watched her disappear down the street, Marcus was left with a strange, hollow feeling. Oddly, he couldn''t shake the impression that when he said he''d be out of town for the race, "Fannie" had looked almost...relieved. Did she really not want him there?