"I think Ms. Turner is from the Investment Department, right? It''s such a shame you''re not in Tech."


    Patrick''s gaze lingered on Victoria, a spark of admiration in his eyes.


    "I mean, Ms. Turner, you seem really skilled at game programming. That''s usually something only the guys get into. I heard you''re married-let me guess, your husband''s a programmer too? Whichpany does he work for? Someone as talented as you must have an equally talented husband. Why not have him join us at Vertex Dynamics?"


    Ailie''s lips curled into a sly smile as her eyes drifted—almost involuntarily toward the table where McNeil and Violet sat together.


    Sarcasm colored every arch of her brow. She almost blurted out, "Ms. Turner''s husband is your very own Mr. Langford, and right now, he''s sitting with that temptress Violet Marchand."


    But she bit her tongue, not wanting to startle the group or embarrass Victoria.


    McNeil was treating Violet with the utmost courtesy, going out of his way to make herfortable, as if Victoria didn''t even exist.


    What would be the point of revealing Victoria''s identity as Mrs. Langford now? It would only end up humiliating her.


    So Ailie focused on her meal, resisting the urge to stir the pot-though she couldn''t help shooting the asional withering nce in Violet''s direction.


    As Victoria reached for the dipping sauce, she nced up and, out of the corner of her eye, caught McNeil''s gaze—again. Their eyes met by ident.


    For some reason, she had the distinct feeling he''d been looking at her more than once. His gaze wasn''t casual, either; it was deliberate, almost frequent.


    Ailie noticed, too, and leaned over. "Is your husband staring at you?"


    Victoria thought so, but it seemed impossible. Why would he, especially at an event like this? With Violet right there beside him, wasn''t he afraid of causing a scene?


    Before she could dwell on it, Henry-seated at McNeil''s table-stood up, pulling out a chair and calling loudly over Victoria''s shoulder, "Mr. Pierce, you''re finally here! We''re just sitting down to eat-what took you so long?"


    It turned out the VP of Vertex Dynamics was making his way over. Victoria knew him well; Mr. Pierce had been one of McNeil''s few early supporters.


    Once McNeil rose to power, he made sure his old alliesnded top positions at Vertex Dynamics-clear tokens of his gratitude and trust.


    Victoria, by contrast, had given six and a half years of her life to The Langford Group, only to be rewarded with a divorce settlement that left her with nothing. McNeil was famous in Starfall City for repaying every kindness-his loyal subordinates, the people who''d saved him, even Violet, all received more than they ever gave. Everyone, it seemed, except Victoria. She got nothing but betrayal in return.


    It was the old story-like the fable of the farmer and the snake, reyed over and


    over between her and McNeil. The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.


    Sure enough, once Mr. Pierce took his seat, McNeil didn''t look Victoria''s way again.


    She felt a pang of self-mockery. So much for wishful thinking.


    Ailie muttered under her breath, "Jerk."


    "Ms. Ailie, what was that?"


    Someone, catching the edge of Ailie''s muttered insult but not the full word, looked over with curiosity.


    "Oh, nothing. Just reminded me of a story-do you want to hear it?"


    Ailie''s eyes sparkled with mischief as she cooked up a not-so-innocent idea.


    The group perked up. "What story, Ms. Ailie? Come on, tell us!"


    Ailie nced over at Violet and McNeil, then gave a cold littleugh. "It''s just something I heard around town. There was this guy, once a rich kid whose family lost everything. He wed his way back to the top, all thanks to his wife''s help. But can you guess what that bastard did in the end?"