Every word out of Violet''s mouth dripped with sarcasm directed at Victoria.


    Hearing her, Victoria couldn''t help but frown-not because she felt attacked or stung by Violet''s biting remarks, but because something deeper unsettled her.


    She knew her daughter had always liked Violet, and from the way her little girl talked about her, it seemed Violet was fond of Gwh, too.


    But after Gwh had gone missing, spent the night with a fever, and now was suffering from a swollen face and a toothache, Victoria couldn''t help but wonder: shouldn''t Violet''s first concern, for Gwh''s sake if nothing else, be the child''s well-being?


    Instead, Violet seemed more irritated that Victoria''s family emergency had interrupted her work, her expression betraying not a hint of genuine concern for Gwh.


    Whether Georgia had handed over the wrong files by ident or on purpose, trying to pin the me on Victoria, none of that really mattered now.


    Victoria had no intention of offering any exnations.


    "I understand. I''ll be more careful in the future," she said quietly.


    "In the future?" Violet arched an eyebrow. "Do you really think something like this should have a ''next time,'' Ms. Turner? I expect this never to happen again. If you''d rather focus on being a devoted wife and mother to the Garcia family, then perhaps you should quit and tend to your household. But if you truly want to be an independent woman with a career, you need to understand: sometimes, you have to make sacrifices."


    Violet nced down at the documents in her hand, her voice brisk and businesslike. "Leave them here and go. If you''re struggling to juggle everything, hire a full-time nanny. Quantum Core Technologies isn''t a charity."


    Her cold, impersonal tone made Victoria''s fists clench involuntarily.


    She left Violet''s office in silence. Outside, Georgia had clearly overheard


    everything. The look she gave Victoria wasced with open disdain.


    Back in the tech department, the manager approached her with concern. "Are you all right?"


    Everyone in the office knew—at least in hushed tones—that Ms. Marchand seemed to have it out for Victoria.


    "I''m fine. Just dropping off some documents," Victoria replied, not a hint ofint in her voice.


    That afternoon, she got a message from McNeil, letting her know she didn''t need to pick up Gwh from school that evening.


    She''d already nned to spend some time with her daughter, so when she saw the message on her phone, she stared at it for a long moment.


    Then she simply set her phone aside, not bothering to reply.


    The truth was, she and McNeil had reached a quiet, mutual understanding— whatever bond they had was now little better than what existed between strangers.


    Their conversations never went beyond Gwh or work; any other topics were off the table.


    Meanwhile, McNeil sat in his office, reviewing the file Maynard had brought in about Victoria.


    Most of it was information he already knew. Except for one thing: after graduating from Northriver University, Victoria had traveled alone to the South for further study. For several years, her resume was almost a nk te. McNeil had told Maynard to dig deeper, but nothing had turned up.


    There was no sign Victoria had ever formally studiedputer science. So where had she learned her technical skills?


    Even after six years of marriage, McNeil realized he barely knew the woman he''d shared a bed with.


    "About those divorce papers my wife asked you to preparest time-what''s the status?" McNeil asked.


    "It''s all being handled ording to your instructions, sir," Maynard replied respectfully.


    McNeil nodded. "Good."


    After Maynard left, McNeil found himself caught on something he''d said: "ording to your instructions." What was that supposed to mean?


    The divorce papers were still with Victoria.


    He''d given her the chance-she was the one who didn''t take it.


    Maynard drove away from the office. The divorce agreement Mrs. Langford had submitted was still sitting in his desk. He''d looked at the two copiesst time- both signed only by Mrs. Langford.


    As McNeil''s personal assistant, Maynard prided himself on anticipating his boss''s wishes.


    If the divorce papers only bore Mrs. Langford''s signature and not Mr. Langford''s, the meaning was clear: Mr. Langford had no intention of ending the marriage.


    Maynard had locked both copies away in the safe. He hadn''t submitted anything to city hall.


    He''d just checked with Mr. Langford again, and Mr. Langford hadn''t objected to his handling of the matter.


    These past few days, with Mrs. Langford staying at home, Maynard was relieved he''d taken the time to double-check the documents.


    If he''d submitted them blindly and city hall had called Mr. Langford to ask for his signature, it would have put his boss in an awkward position.


    And in the end, McNeil would likely me him for mishandling the situation- which could easily cost him his job.


    Isaac hadn''t hung out with McNeil and the others in a while, so that night he arranged for Curtis and McNeil to join him at Marcus''s ce for a little get- together.


    Naturally, McNeil nned to bring Violet and their daughter along.


    Isaac had also heard that Marcus was seeing someone new, and insisted that Marcus bring his girlfriend to meet the group.


    True to his word, Marcus called Victoria, inviting her to join the gathering at his house.


    But Victoria knew McNeil and Violet would be there of course, McNeil would want to bring Gwh along, too. No wonder he''d told her not to pick up their daughter that evening.


    "Sorry, Mr. Green, I have other ns and won''t be able to make it. Have fun tonight," Victoria replied firmly.


    Back in the tech department, she dove into work on the new game they were developing, with barely any time-or desire for socializing.