Gossip about the rich and powerful was practically the Ta family''s favorite pastime -the sort of thing everyone loved to chew over after lunch, their go-to source of entertainment.


    Meanwhile, Patrick and a bunch of other tech guys had no clue that Ailie was gleefully sharpening her ws, ready to take down their beloved Mr. Langford. The whole group was on the edge of their seats, waiting to see what would happen next, ears practically twitching to catch every word.


    After all, moments like these were rare in the IT department. Most of the time, everyone was glued to their screens, either fixing bugs or on their way to fix bugs. The only dreams they had at night were about code and deadlines. A couple of them had evennded in the hospital after too many all-nighters. The doctor''s advice was always the same: "Stop staying up sote, or you''ll end up with permanent insomnia." But honestly, they felt like they''d never sleep again if they didn''t squash everyst bug.


    "What happened?"


    The chatter at the table died instantly. The conversation, which had been lively just a second ago, fizzled into silence. At the neighboring tables, the folks from McNeil''s team, plus the groups from Vertex Dynamics and Quantum Core Technologies, all turned to look their way.


    "Oh, you know—he kicked his own wife to the curb to make room for some useless gold-digger. Now he''s having lunch with that shameless hussy."


    Ailie barely bothered to hide her nce toward McNeil''s table, which set off a chain reaction—suddenly, everyone in IT was sneaking looks at McNeil and Violet, trying to figure out what the fuss was about.


    Violet, catching the stares from the techies, responded with her signature "Mrs. Langford" smile, all poised and gracious. She leaned in closer to McNeil and spoke to him in a low voice.


    "Ailie, where on earth did you hear that? Why are we always thest to know these things?"


    Some of them were starting to wonder if Ailie was taking a jab at their own Mr. Langford. As far as they knew, Mr. Langford was definitely married-with a daughter, even—but the real Mrs. Langford was aplete mystery, someone no one had ever actually seen.


    "Looks like the meal''s already started. Are wete?"


    While the crowd was still gossiping, a sharply dressed man strode in at the


    entrance, apanied by his chic secretary, Yulia, and even Marian. Several


    imposing managers followed close behind as they swept into the Vertex Dynamics cafeteria, brimming with confidence.


    Victoria''s eyes narrowed, catching sight of Simms.


    Figures.


    He really was treating Violet like family. Apany tour at Quantum Core Technologies, and Golden Era Enterprises just had to show up and join the party.


    With Violet here, it looked like the three top firms in the city were teaming up for a corporate showdown.


    Although, who would end up outwitting whom was still anyone''s guess.


    "Oh, Ailie, you really are something. Speak of the devil, and he walks right in."


    With Simms''s arrival, it suddenly clicked for some of them who Ailie''s "scumbag"ments might''ve been about.


    Simms''s reputation wasn''t exactly a secret. Anyone in Starfall City who paid attention to these things knew he''d married rich and made his fortune off his wife''s family. After his father-inw and wife passed away, he took over the whole estate, unted his affair with his secretary, and sent his daughter off abroad-no one had heard from her since.


    Ailie was about to explode. She wasn''t talking about Simms; she meant McNeil. But of course, Simms had to show up right on cue.


    Victoria set down her fork and stood up, Ailie following suit.


    "I''m done. I think I''ll head out first."


    She found Simms and Yulia even more nauseating than McNeil and Violet.


    Simms and the Golden Era crew took their seats at McNeil''s table. It was obvious Simms had clocked Victoria the moment he walked in-her seat faced the door, and she was striking enough to be impossible to miss.


    Yet both Simms and Yulia acted as if she wasn''t there, greeting only McNeil and Violet. Simms nodded a curt hello to Curtis as he sat down.


    To leave, Victoria and Ailie would have to pass right by McNeil''s table. They''d hoped to wait until everyone was finished eating to slip out unnoticed, but with Simms and Yulia here, Victoria had no intention of sticking around.


    Ailie hurried after her, and as soon as they got up, McNeil''s attention shifted, his gaze following Victoria as she walked away.