Even though her brother never said a word, Victoria noticed that the light in his study burned all through the night. She immediately realized just how dire the situation had be.


    If only she''d taken a bit more time to think things through when she first founded V&S Group, she never would''ve dragged Osborn into this mess.


    If the rk family hadn''t gotten tangled up, her brother wouldn''t be in trouble now. It takes the person who tied the knot to untie it.


    She was the one who pulled them in; now, the only one who could get them out was her.


    If the Turner family was still what it had been six years ago, she wouldn''t have any reason to fear McNeil.


    But six years had passed. The political and businessndscape had changed entirely, and her grandfather was gone. No matter who she turned to now, no one would be willing to help her solely out of respect.


    She''d handed McNeil the knife herself, and now the blow hade back to her. All she could do was ept it—or bow her head to him.


    "I won''t stop you from doing anything you set your mind to," Stein told her, "but promise me, Victoria-no matter what happens, you have to take care of yourself first. As long as you''re safe, there''s always hope."


    His words touched her deeply.


    Unlike most brothers, who either smothered their sisters with overprotection or tried to control every aspect of their lives, Stein was different. Whatever Victoria wanted to do, he simply supported her in his quiet way, always ready to help but never discouraging or dismissive.


    Even now, with everything on the line, Stein respected her choices.


    But what Victoria didn''t see, as she turned away, was the worry and pain that flickered in her brother''s eyes.


    That afternoon, Stein drove her to the airport himself, with Jimmy in tow.


    Jimmy gave her a puzzle he''d put together, offering it up shyly. "Aunt Victoria, I made this for you."


    She gently tousled his hair, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Next time, I''lle see you and your dad again," she said softly.


    She had no idea when "next time" would be. All she could do was hope Stein would stay safe.


    "Take care of yourself," Stein whispered, pulling her into a tight embrace the love of an older brother for his little sister shining through in that moment.


    With tears glimmering in her eyes, Victoria watched as the ne soared into the clouds. Sitting in the business ss cabin, gazing out at the endless blue sky, her features gradually grew somber.


    A few hourster, the ne touched down at Starfall City Airport.


    Yasmine was waiting for her outside, the car idling at the curb.


    "Ms. Turner, there''s been an incident at V&S Group..."


    Yasmine hadn''t wanted to bring uppany matters the moment Victorianded, but things were urgent; she had no choice.


    Victoria simply nodded and slipped into the backseat of the ck sedan.


    "Our government contract with Mr. Campbell was abruptly terminated. All the revenue we earned from the racing game-billions, really-was poured into drone development. Now, those projects are all on hold.


    I''ve already spoken with Mr. Campbell. He said there were some issues with the project and told us to just pause everything for now."


    Yasmine''s words tumbled out quickly, her worry evident in her voice.


    "Also, our ns to go public overseas have been scrapped. Without outside


    investment, the drone project could be stalled indefinitely.


    All our previous efforts might go to waste. On top of that, an anonymouspany


    has offered to buy out V&S Group for five billion.


    Ms. Turner, I should''ve told you this yesterday, but you weren''t here, so I had to wait until now."


    Victoria listened quietly, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.


    "Five billion?"


    She''d poured every cent earned from the racing game into thepany, not to mention the investments she''d secured from outside and the money she''d made through jewelry design and painting over the years-it all added up to that exact amount.


    An anonymous buyer offering to purchase V&S Group, and with the numbers calcted down to thest dor. Aside from McNeil, she couldn''t think of a single other person capable of this.


    Victoria clenched her fists, her neatly manicured nails digging into her palms.


    "I checked with the finance department," Yasmine went on. "All the expenses from


    the past few months-the new drone R&D, thepany''s operational costs— total right around five billion.


    If we agree to this deal now, we''d actually an extra three hundred million. But the otherpany''s made it clear-if we drag things out another month, the offer drops by half a billion every month, until we finally agree to the sale."


    Victoria remained silent, turning over the numbers in her mind. In other words, if she agreed to sell V&S Group to McNeil now, he''d cover all her losses and even leave her with a few hundred million to spare. But if she stalled, the offer would keep dropping-five hundred million less each month-until she finally caved.


    The Langford Group was now the undisputed giant in Starfall City, while V&S Group was virtually unknown. With McNeil making his move, no otherpany would dare get involved in the acquisition-especially for a fledgling techpany like theirs, which, to outsiders, had little value.


    McNeil had yed his hand brilliantly. Only now did Victoria realize that even as she''d been carefully plotting her moves, there''d been a predator lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.


    Just when she thought she''d caught the prey, she became the prey herself.


    He truly was her protégé—outshining the master in every way.


    Yasmine waited anxiously for her response.


    Victoria finally spoke, her voice calm and tinged with steel.


    "Tell him to stop dreaming."