Game development required a special kind of programmingnguage, and this time, the whole team was working together. Victoria poured even more effort into it than when she''d coded alone for herst project.


    If she could earn Curtis''s trust-and win over the entire tech department-she might finally get ess to Quantum Core Technologies'' most guarded secrets. For Victoria, this was a huge break, one she was determined not to let slip by.


    But there was anotherplication: Max and Gwh already knew each other, and Victoria had met both Marcus and Max under different identities. When everyone finally met, there''d be no way to keep her marriage to McNeil under wraps.


    It was a simple thing, really-no point in making everyone feel awkward over it. Marcus was disappointed, but there was nothing he could do.


    That afternoon, McNeil and Violet went together to pick Gwh up from school. When Gwh didn''t see her mom waiting, she felt a little pang of disappointment.


    "Gwyn, how abouting with us to Mr. Green''s house after school?" Violet asked with a bright smile, just as Max came out of the school gates.


    Marcus had asked them to bring Max home as well.


    Gwh''s face lit up when she saw Max and she waved enthusiastically. "Max! Daddy and Violet are taking me to your uncle''s house to y. Let''s go together!"


    Max looked pleased-until he noticed Violet. His expression soured, and his brows knitted together.


    Why did this witch have to be here too?


    "I''ll wait for my uncle," he muttered stubbornly. He had no desire to ride with that


    woman.


    "Your uncle''s busy, so we''re all going back together," McNeil exined. "You and Gwh are such good friends. Unless you''re just shy about riding in the same car as a girl?"


    To Max, Violet looked just like a witch from a storybook, and he recoiled from her, barely disguising his dislike.


    McNeil, unbothered, handed Max the phone. "Your uncle called. Talk to him yourself."


    It took Marcus quite a bit of coaxing over the phone before Max finally agreed to ride home in McNeil''s car.


    Gwh was thrilled. Max always looked out for her, and today he''d even promised to give her that model racecar she''d been eyeing.


    She was full of anticipation as they climbed into the car. Max sat in the back, right next to her, and leaned over to whisper in her ear.


    "That''s Miss Violet?" he asked quietly.


    "Yeah, she''s really nice to me," Gwh replied.


    Max shot Violet a skeptical nce and pursed his lips, unconvinced. There was


    no way someone like her could be good to Gwh. Hadn''t Gwh gotten all those cavities because of her?


    Max had lost his parents young, which had made him wary of people. He''d taken an instant dislike to Violet from the first time he saw her.


    In fact, this wasn''t his first encounter with her. Every time Mr. Langford hung out with his uncle, he''d bring Violet along. But Max had never realized that this woman was the same "Miss Violet" Gwh spoke so fondly of.


    McNeil''s car pulled smoothly to a stop in front of Marcus''s vi.


    Max didn''t bother waiting for the driver; he jumped out and, remembering his manners, helped Gwh out as well.


    Marcus''s vi was spacious, with a swimming pool out front. But the monochrome décor a sea of ck, white, and gray-made the ce feel cold and impersonal, more like a bachelor pad than a real home. With only Marcus and Max living there, itcked any sense of warmth.


    Gwh trailed after Max as he darted around, exploring.


    She couldn''t help but feel the difference. Max''s house never felt as cozy or inviting as her own.


    Victoria''s home was filled with soft furnishings and little touches that radiated warmth. Even when Gwh stayed at Winding Peak Lane, where Violet looked after her, it never felt quite the same. Despite the nearly identicalyout, it was her own home with Mommy and Daddy that felt mostfortable.


    "I''ll show you my toys-and the racecar Miss Fannie gave me for my birthday," Max announced. "I can''t take it to school-my uncle would find out right away."


    Gwh nodded, her excitement bubbling over.


    Ever since she''d seen the racecar model in Mommy''s car, she''d dreamed of having one just like it. Victoria had offered to buy her one, but Gwh had stubbornly refused out of spite, and Victoria had dropped the subject.


    Now, following Max to his room, Gwh watched as he pulled out his treasured model racecar, ready to hand it over. But as soon as she saw it, her excitement faded.


    "This is the one Miss Fannie gave you?" she asked, disappointment coloring her tone.


    It looked nothing like the one she''d seen in her mom''s car. This model was bigger and, if anything, even cooler-looking-but for some reason, Gwh just didn''t like it as much.


    "Yeah, my uncle gave it to me-said it was a birthday present from Miss Fannie. If you like it, you can have it," Max offered.


    The light in Gwh''s eyes dimmed. This clearly wasn''t the same model car her mom had.


    Still, she didn''t think Max was lying-he kept all his toys in his room, and this car really was impressive.


    Trying to hide her disappointment, Gwh shook her head. "It''s okay, Max. I was just joking. I don''t need the car."


    But the thought nagged at her. Maybe the racecar in Mom''s car wasn''t for Max at all-maybe there was another kid out there who got it.


    Max looked puzzled. "I thought you wanted it? Don''t worry, I won''t tell Miss Fannie, and my uncle won''t find out. I''ll just sneak it into your dad''s car when you go home."