Max hadn''t been gone long before he unexpectedly ran into Gwh.


    She was skipping along beside McNeil as he helped Violetplete her discharge paperwork. Clearly, Gwh hadn''t expected to see Max here either. The moment the two little rivals locked eyes, sparks practically flew.


    McNeil noticed Gwh suddenly stop in her tracks and gave a gentle nudge, "Why''d you stop?"


    Gwh wrinkled her nose. "Daddy, I''ll catch up with youter."


    Before McNeil could respond, she stormed off straight toward Max.


    McNeil was busy enough as it was, so he didn''t bother trying to stop her.


    Max spotted Gwhing and immediately scowled, refusing to back down. "What are you doing here?"


    Just seeing Max made Gwh''s temper re. She was still frustrated from losing to him in that video game-especially since she''d always thought she was better and her pride still stung.


    "What about you, you weasel? Why are you here?"


    Max shot Gwh a triumphant look. He''d secretly enjoyed making her cryst time. How could he, a proud little man, ept losing a game to a girl?


    "Hmph, I''m here with Miss Violet. You know, the amazingdy who taught me how to y."


    Gwh puffed up with pride, chin held high.


    Max snorted. "Well, I''m here with Miss Fannie. She''s the one who taught me the game and made you cry, remember?"


    That jab hit home. Gwh''s cheeks flushed angrily.


    "Violet''s the real expert! She''s the one who made the game in the first ce."


    Max pulled a silly face. "Yeah, right. Miss Fannie taught me how to beat you, and you still lost. Violet made the game? Give me a break! You and Violet are both just full of hot air."


    Gwh''s protests rolled right off Max. In his eyes, Miss Fannie was the greatest there was.


    Their bickering escted quickly, voices rising and faces turning red. Meanwhile, McNeil finished up Violet''s release and, realizing Gwh hadn''te back, guided Violet out toward the lobby while searching for her.


    In the main hall, the two kids were still mid-argument, oblivious to everything else. McNeil spotted another familiar face: Marcus, holding a bottle of ointment.


    McNeil''s gaze flicked to the medicine in Marcus''s hand. "You''re hurt?"


    Marcus noticed Violet leaving with McNeil. He and some other friends had visited her during her hospital stay.


    "No, it''s for a friend," Marcus replied.


    Violet teased, "A girlfriend? Or are you just tagging along with your boyfriend at the hospital?"


    McNeil''s expression darkened instantly he couldn''t help thinking of Victoria, who''d been driving Marcus''s car recently.


    Marcus gave an awkward shrug. "Yeah, a female friend. Not quite a girlfriend... yet."


    He was hoping to use this chance to get closer to Victoria, though he wasn''t sure how she felt. Still, chasing after a woman couldn''t possibly be harder than running apany, could it?


    "What happened? Is she badly hurt?" Violet asked, ncing at McNeil, who seemed unbothered.


    "She took a fall while dancing-just a minor fracture," Marcus replied, missing the relief that flickered across McNeil''s face.


    Victoria can''t dance, McNeil thought to himself.


    He stepped between the two bickering kids. "We won''t keep you any longer. I''ll get Violet out of here. You go take care of your business."


    Marcus was just as eager to make his escape, pulling Max away with him.


    As they left, Violet leaned in and spoke casually, "Aren''t you even going to ask if his ''girlfriend'' is Victoria?"


    "If Victoria''s seeing someone, that''s her business," McNeil said evenly.


    But Violet couldn''t quite shake her doubts-did he truly not care anymore?


    McNeil scooped Gwh up and wiped away her tears. "Victoria and I signed the divorce papers. From now on, whatever she does, or whoever she marries, is her own choice."