"Gwyn is absolutely adorable, and she clearly loves Violet," Grace remarked with


    a gentle smile, though inwardly she felt nothing but disdain for Violet. Like Violet, Grace had climbed high in her career as a woman in a man''s world-but her own husband had abandoned her after his sess, running off with another woman and fathering a child.


    In the aftermath, Grace''s heart had shattered. She''d exacted her revenge with ruthless efficiency, then left that chapter behind, raising her two sons alone. From then on, she''d poured herself into her work, climbing the political ranks with single-minded determination.


    Violet offered a polite, measured smile, the corners of her lips lifting just so. "Gwyn is very attached to me. She''s a sweet girl-so much has happened to her..." She let her words trail off intentionally, inviting sympathy but saying nothing


    more.


    "Where''s Gwyn''s mom today? Why didn''t shee?" Grace asked. She''d always thought highly of McNeil, but the way he''d handled things today left much to be desired.


    Violet hesitated, at a loss for words, and McNeil seemed equally unsure how to respond.


    Gwh looked up at Grace with a sh of indignation in her eyes. "Mommy left with Uncle Mark. She''s going to be someone else''s mommy now."


    She was still upset that Victoria had paid all her attention to Max today. Gwh had seen her mother too, but Victoria hadn''t even looked her way-she just left with Max and his uncle.


    Grace and Owen''s impression of McNeil had already taken a hit, but Gwh''s sudden revtion caused them both to pause, uncertain how to respond.


    Was it possible that the fault didn''t lie with McNeil, but with Mrs. Langford?


    Violet lowered her gaze to hide the smile tugging at her lips, her earlier awkwardness vanishing in an instant.


    "Children say the silliest things," she said lightly. "Gwyn just likes making up stories."


    But the more Violet tried to exin away Gwh''s words, the more Grace and Owen''s suspicions shifted toward Mrs. Langford. Suddenly, their disappointment in McNeil turned to sympathy. So it was Mrs. Langford who had been unfaithful.


    "I''m not making things up!" Gwh insisted, her little face set stubbornly. "Daddy and Ms. Marchand both saw Mommy leave with Mr. Green."


    Grace covered a cough with her ss and took a quick sip, while Owen hurriedly stood and raised his own. "Mr. Langford, thank you for your hospitality today. Allow me to propose a toast."


    Violet, who had been anxious only moments before, was surprised-and relieved —that Gwh''s words had so deftly redirected themittee members'' attention. For the rest of the meal, Violet genuinely doted on Gwh, making sure she ate until she was full and happy.


    With food in her belly and cheerful conversation, Gwh quickly forgot her earlier unhappiness.


    By the end of the visit, Grace and Owen were more than satisfied with their meeting. As they prepared to leave, Owen said earnestly, "Mr. Langford, every family has its struggles. I''ll continue to rmend you to the board, and I''m sure the uing vote will go smoothly."


    After seeing the twomittee members off to their hotel, McNeil felt drained.


    Violet was gathering her things, ready to return to Winding Peak Lane, when Gwh suddenly piped up, "Ms. Marchand, Daddy-I want to go see the fireworks! I don''t want to go home yet."


    Earlier, Max had taunted her, saying that Aunt Fannie and his uncle were taking him to a fireworks show. Gwh had always boasted to Max that Violet and Daddy took her to see fireworks all the time, so now she wanted to see for herself if her mom really was taking Max. If she saw it with her own eyes, she''d tell Max that Miss Fannie was her mommy-and she didn''t want to share her mom with him.


    "Gwyn, your daddy''s had a long day entertaining guests," Violet said, hoping to coax her. "How about we wait a couple days and go see the fireworks then?"


    She just wanted to get back to Winding Peak Lane with McNeil, have some quiet time together. Once Gwh was home, she''d disappear into her room with her video games, leaving Violet and McNeil to enjoy their own little world. Thest thing Violet wanted tonight was to y chaperone.


    "If Gwyn wants to go, then let''s go," McNeil said, surprising them both.