Today, Violet asked Victoria to catch a ride with McNeil, but McNeil tly refused, saying he didn''t want any unnecessary passengers in his car. It was an obvious snub, as if he had a personal grudge against her.


    Curtis''s thoughts were a tangled mess. Too many strange things were happening at once, and he couldn''t figure out how-or even if they were all connected.


    "Marian, this is apany dinner. Please, don''t interrupt," Yulia cut Marian off just in time. Surprisingly, Marian actually listened to her.


    Victoria watched them with a mocking curve to her lips. The Millers were all letting Yulia lead them around by the nose.


    And no wonder. If Yulia didn''t have some tricks up her sleeve, how else could she have stolen Simms away from Victoria''s brilliant mother? How else could she, a woman even older than Victoria, have taken her husband and her ce in the family?


    "Vicky, Violet is now Vice President at Quantum Core Technologies. Everything she does is for the good of all threepanies. You''re Mr. Garcia''s employee too, so you should follow your superior''s arrangements." Simms finally spoke up.


    Victoria was silent for a moment, then met their eyes-especially Simms''s. "So, what''s in it for me if I transfer to the tech department?"


    Simms looked momentarily taken aback. Yulia''s eyes lowered as she smiled and leaned over to whisper something in his ear.


    "I told you, your daughter takes after you never as simple as she seems."


    Simms bristled. Her, like him? Victoria was the spitting image of herte mother, inside and out-temperament, looks, everything. There wasn''t a trace of him in her.


    "Victoria, you know these threepanies inside out. You should also know exactly what share of the profits you''d get. Besides, all this hard work is about pursuing our dreams, about building something meaningful-not just chasing profit. Andst time, when you missed the deadline to input the security key into the game software, Quantum Core Technologies lost millions, and The Langford Group and Golden Era Enterprises lost even more-billions, actually. Not to mention, when the product was pulled from the market, thebined stock prices of thepanies took a massive hit.


    But did anyone me you? I heard Mr. Garcia even gave you a five-million-dor bonus. Isn''t that enough? Don''t be so greedy."


    Victoria listened quietly and then nodded. "You''re right, Mr. Miller. I''m grateful for everything you and thepany have done. Since this is all for love and dreams, not for profit, then surely Golden Era Enterprises and The Langford Group are more closely tied to Ms. Marchand than I am. Besides, as Vice President, Ms. Marchand''s bonus is based on her investment-she''s far better off than us regr employees."


    She stood up. "I''m sorry, but I can''t take this job. If you''re all so passionate about your noble cause, maybe you and the other executives should be the ones to see it through. I''m just a regr person-I need money to survive." She looked at Ailie. "Let''s go."


    There''s no point bargaining with wolves. She wouldn''t waste her breath. Besides, she was the real wolf here-if they wanted to profit off her, they''d have to y by her rules. If they thought a few fancy words would rope her into their game development project, they could think again.


    "What are your terms? Or rather, how much do you want? Just say it," McNeil, who''d been silent all along, suddenly spoke up in azy drawl.


    Violet was caught off guard. She''d only meant to tease Victoria a little, but McNeil was treating this as a serious negotiation. Quantum Core Technologies had plenty of talented people, after all, and Curtis''s secret Al team was about to unveil their breakthrough. Victoria''s programming skills might be impressive, but at the end of the day, a slightly higher sry and a year-end bonus would suffice. Violet had never intended to give her a real stake in thepany.


    Victoria didn''t even look at McNeil. She addressed Curtis instead. "I''m willing to join the tech department''s game development project, but I want a three percent share of revenue from all threepanies. If that works for you, hire me. Mr. Garcia and the rest of the board can consider my offer."


    She grabbed her bag and nodded to Ailie. "Everyone, the food at Vertex Dynamics is actually really good. Feel free to enjoy. And if you have anyints, you can let me know-it might actually help."


    She nced at McNeil. "Mr. Langford, don''t you agree?"


    With that, she strode out, head held high.


    Violet''s face had never looked so sour. Victoria always took McNeil''s feelings into ount; if he disapproved, she''d never tell anyone she was Mrs. Langford. But her words just now all but hinted she had a stake in The Langford Group, as if she were ready to reveal her status as Mrs. Langford without his consent.


    McNeil still held his wine ss, his finger tracing the rim, a faintly amused expression on his face.


    Was Victoria actually angry?


    In the past, her anger was always loud—she''dsh out at others or turn it inward, hurting herself. But today, her words were barbed,shing out at everyone except her loyal Ailie-even Curtis got caught in the crossfire.


    Curtis couldn''t help but feel a little wronged. Ever since he realized Victoria''s talents, he''d been trying to recruit her to the tech department, offering her a generous sry if she''d stay. But after Violet''s maniptions today, Victoria''s market value had shot through the roof, and she''d managed to insult everyone in the room, both openly and between the lines. Curtis found it both frustrating and a little funny.


    "Wait."


    McNeil rapped his knuckles lightly on the table. His voice was quiet, but everyone heard him—including Victoria.


    "Two percent. If you agree,e to my office tomorrow and sign the contract. Alone."