"If you guys keep joking around like this, I''m out of here."


    It was obvious they were putting her, the only woman in the room, right in the hot seat. She couldn''t handle these kinds of risqué conversations—not even a little.


    Isaac had no idea what McNeil was thinking and just kept up the banter.


    "We''re all adults here-what''s there to be embarrassed about? Unlike the three of you, I''m still unattached. Nights alone can get awfully lonely, you know."


    He shot a look at Curtis and Marcus. "You two used to be so picky-when did you suddenly find someone special? Where''d you meet them? Come on, set me up sometime!"


    Violet nearly choked on her drink, trying hard not tough.


    She nced at McNeil, curiosity piqued. He stayed silent, but after so many years at his side, Violet could spot even the smallest shadow crossing his face.


    Was McNeil upset because Victoria''s name hade up just now?


    McNeil rarelymented, but this time he did, his voice cool. "I wouldn''t say their taste is all that great."


    Violet took another sip, quietly relieved.


    Maybe she was just overthinking it.


    She knew McNeil and Victoria weren''t officially divorced yet, and already Victoria was trying to cozy up to his friends. If word got out before the papers were signed, McNeil would end up the talk of the town-a humiliation no man wanted, even if he no longer loved his wife.


    Violet finally broke the tension. "Alright, enough already. Can we please have a normal conversation? At least show a little respect-I am still in the room, you know. Let''s keep it ssy."


    Everyone chuckled, grateful for the change in subject. Sensing McNeil''s mood, they shifted the conversation to funny anecdotes from recent business deals.


    Gwh and Max were off to the side, lost in their own little world. Still, Gwh couldn''t quite shake her worries about that model car Victoria had shown her the other day.


    After dinner, Isaac grinned at Marcus. "Come on, show us yourtest finds." Gwh''s curiosity was piqued, so she tagged along as well.


    Marcus had just gotten back from an overseas trip and, as usual, had scored some impressive antiques. This was his ritual-every trip, he''d bring something back, and his friends would always try to talk him into giving up their favorites.


    Marcusughed at Isaac. "You could easily afford your own collection, but you always treat my ce like a treasure chest."


    Isaac was shameless. "Taking things from a friend is like the thrill of the chase- you know, the grass is always greener, the forbidden fruit is always sweeter."


    The group burst outughing and didn''t think twice about it.


    Marcus led them to his suite. The bedroom was tucked away in the back; the outer room was lined with his prized collectibles. When he opened the door, Gwh''s eyes were immediately drawn to a car model mounted on the wall-the very same one Victoria had kept in her car.


    "That''s it," she whispered.


    The adults were chatting up ahead, oblivious, but Max heard her. He followed her gaze.


    "The one on the wall?" Max asked.


    Gwh nodded emphatically.


    She was sure of it-the yellow race car model hanging on Marcus''s wall was the exact one she''d seen in her mom''s car. All this time, she''d thought Victoria had given it to Max. So how had it ended up here, in Mr. Green''s collection?


    Curtis had noticed it too.


    It looked oddly familiar. He walked over for a closer look.


    Isaac, meanwhile, ignored the model car altogether. He had an eye for rare treasures, and basic collectibles like that didn''t even register. He was after the truly valuable stuff Marcus had brought back from around the globe.


    Curtis, standing directly beneath the car, stared up at it, his suspicion growing.


    It looked exactly like the one he''d gifted Victoria.


    McNeil''s gaze flickered over the model, uninterested. Violet, however, couldn''t resist a bit of praise.


    "That one looks a lot like the model car we developed for ourst game, but this one is even more realistic-so much more detailed."


    She shot Marcus a teasing look. "Where''d you get it, Marcus? Don''t tell me you swiped the prototype from our office."


    Marcus shook his head. "No way. Someone else gave it to me."


    Isaac, seeing everyone gather around the model, sauntered over and ribbed Marcus, "Where''d you pick up this thing? Don''t tell me it''s worth a fortune. Looks pretty run-of-the-mill to me."


    Marcus grinned. "Priceless, actually..."


    Isaac kept teasing. "Let me guess your girlfriend gave it to you? You''ve got it on disy like a trophy. What, do you stare at it every night before bed? Or is it supposed to satisfy some deep-down longing?"


    It was just a joke, but suddenly, all three men''s faces darkened.


    Curtis''s eyes went cold. He strode forward and reached up to take the model off the wall.


    Marcus stepped in. "Hey, what are you doing? It''s not even worth much. If you want it, you can have anything else in the room-but not this one."


    Curtis''s stare was icy. "I don''t need you to give it to me. That model car is already mine."