It wasn''t just Patrick-everyone in Vertex Dynamics'' tech department had fallen silent. In an effort to curry favor with Violet, someone eagerly pulled out a chair at the head of the conference table for her, but in the process, the chair slid and mmed hard into Victoria''s foot.


    Her ankle had only recently healed, so the sudden jolt of something solid against the injured spot sent a sharp, familiar pain shooting up her leg.


    She frowned. Patrick finally realized he''d just hit someone, but with Violet to greet, he didn''t even bother to look apologetic.


    "Ms. Marchand, please take a seat."


    Henry grinned. "Patrick, why don''t you make some tea?"


    "Oh, right, right! How could I forget? Ms. Marchand prefers jasmine tea. I''ll bring some little cakes as well."


    Violet smiled politely. "No need to go to all that trouble every time I visit. And please, bring some for Ms. Turner too."


    Victoria nced at her but said nothing.


    Every time?


    Clearly, Violet visited Vertex Dynamics often enough for everyone to know her preferences-her favorite tea, her fondness for sweets.


    Victoria spoke up, her tone even. "Don''t worry about me. I don''t have a sweet tooth. Just serve Ms. Marchand."


    Violet''s smile didn''t waver. "What were you all discussing before I arrived? Please, continue as if I''m not here. At Quantum Core Technologies, I''ve led a game development project myself—ran into some bugs, got pretty interested in this area. I''d love to hear your insights. Don''t mind me."


    Patrick hurried off to fetch tea and pastries. The engineers and supervisors, now aware of Violet''s presence, couldn''t help but feel nervous. Anyone with eyes and ears at Vertex Dynamics knew Violet was the apple of Mr. Langford''s eye.


    She came and went as she pleased, and throughout thepany, people treated her as if she were already thedy of the house.


    Victoria''s lips curled in a slight, bitter smile. McNeil had never allowed her to visit thepany. For six years, she''d never once set foot in any firm under The Langford Group, let alone Vertex Dynamics-thepany they''d conquered together. But Violet? Violet coulde and go as she liked.


    Sometimes, reality was more ironic than any fiction. Victoria had always thought McNeil kept her away to give her a peaceful, quiet life, so she could enjoy the rewards of their hard-won sess.


    He''d said he wanted a gentle, refined wife-someone like the women from the Garcia family, cultured and beautiful. So Victoria had hidden her sharp edges, folded her wings, and yed the part of his canary in a gilded cage. She hadn''t realized hevished care and resources on his mistress at every turn, lifting her up, using every connection to pave her way to the top.


    Even thepany Victoria had poured her heart and soul into, the one built with her relentless effort, was now being handed over, the throne readied for another


    woman.


    Watching Violet sit there, smiling as she effortlessly took charge, Victoria felt nothing. Not anymore.


    She drew back her aching foot and rose, her voice polite but distant. "Since Ms. Marchand is here, there''s no need for me to hold forth. As the lead developer at Quantum Core Technologies, she''s the real expert. You should discuss things with her."


    She was already on her feet. During their earlier conversation, the engineers had started to sense Victoria''s expertise and were eager to dive deeper, but Violet''s arrival had cut them off.


    Now that Victoria declined to stay, a few of them looked regretful, but most of their attention remained fixed on Violet. No one tried to stop Victoria from leaving.


    "Ms. Turner, please don''t take it the wrong way. I''m not here to interrupt. I just want to listen." Violet''s tone was gentle, almost coaxing. "Mr. Langford is drafting the contract as we speak. Quantum Core Technologies and Vertex Dynamics n to jointly develop a new racing game, something that will surpass ourst release. You''re an expert in this field too; your input is invaluable.


    If the project goes smoothly, it could make up for the losses from ourstunch and give bothpanies a brand-new reputation. Ms. Turner, you''re the professional here—I''d really like to hear your thoughts."