Victoria knew exactly who they meant by "K"-the person who held the core


    technology behind Quantum Core Technologies. Her heart raced with anticipation, but disappointment quickly followed. George tly refused to contact K, offering no exnation beyond a vague, "They''re not avable."


    At three in the afternoon, the conference room filled with the entire tech department. Violet swept in, poised and elegant, apanied by the new hire, Jenifer.


    She listened intently as the team reported on the progress of their new game. George had his assistant prepare a detailed update for Violet; after hearing it, she seemed genuinely pleased.


    "If there''s anything you need-whether it''s funding or talent-don''t hesitate to ask. Thepany is here to support you. Victoria, I''ve reviewed the performance reports George submitted about you. There are some truly impressive highlights. Keep up the good work. Thepany rewards everyone who makes a real contribution."


    Violet''s words felt like she was bestowing a great honor on Victoria. Jenifer led the apuse, and Violet nodded in acknowledgment of Victoria''s efforts.


    "There''s one more thing I want to share," Violet continued, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. "Ourpany, in partnership with Quantum Core Technologies, is in the process of acquiring V&S Group."


    Confusion flickered across the faces in the room, so Violet rified, "V&S Group is that techpany that bought the rights to our game. There were rumors about their government contracts, but now their finances are in trouble. Mr. Langford and Mr. Garcia have already moved to acquire them—"


    Victoria''s gaze flickered over Violet-acquire? So, McNeil really did care for Violet; he let her in on major business deals before anything was set in stone. He didn''t even try to hide it.


    Her mind shed back tost night, to the intimacy she''d shared with McNeil, only for him to whisper another woman''s name at the end. The memory was as sharp as a p.


    Whatever tenderness she''d once believed in was gone. She was certain now- Violet was the only woman he truly cared about. There was no room for anyone else.


    She wondered if, in their most private moments, he''d ever pretended she was Violet. The thought made her sick.


    Victoria stayed silent, listening to Violet''s announcements without expression.


    The rest of the team seemed lost, so Violet pressed on. "To be more specific, Mr. Langford is acquiring V&S Group as a gift for me. If the deal goes through, I''ll be the new owner."


    Victoria didn''t react at first, but when Violet said she''d be the legal owner of V&S Group, a shiver ran through her. Under the table, her hand trembled.


    McNeil was buying herpany-just to give it to Violet? The idea was absurd, almostughable.


    Violet nced at Victoria, noting her nk stare.


    "Victoria, you designed that game-what''s your take on V&S Group?"


    Victoria wasn''t sure what Violet was getting at.


    "I think your connection to V&S Group runs deeper than mine," Violet replied with


    a little smile. "But a smallpany is a smallpany. It can''t make waves in the big leagues. Once V&S Group is under my name, I n to take a few people from the tech department with me."


    She looked straight at Victoria as she spoke. The rest of the team exchanged uneasy nces—after all, this was still Quantum Core Technologies, and Violet was still the vice president. Herments felt out of ce.


    Sensing the tension, Violet offered a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry. Mr. Garcia is already aware. I''ll remain vice president here, and V&S Group will be a subsidiary. I''m not here to steal anyone I''m here to help."


    Her words eased the room, but Victoria remained impassive through the rest of the meeting. When it finally ended, she called Yasmine.


    "Any news from thepany trying to acquire us? Any new moves?"


    She''d considered every possible scenario, but not this-McNeil buying V&S Group just to please Violet.


    Of course. He''d do anything for her.


    "Nothing yet," Yasmine replied. "But all our funds are tied up in the Campbell


    project. We can''t free up a single cent. Unless we sell thepany, there''s really no other way out."


    Victoria bit her lip. "Let''s wait. Just a little longer."


    The drone development project was on indefinite hold, which meant Stein''s troubles were far from over.


    Victoria''s thoughts spun-was McNeil only letting Osborn off the hook, not Stein?


    No, that couldn''t be it. Last night, he''d promised her he wouldn''t go after Stein. He''d even exined that Stein was like a brother to her.


    With no other options, Victoria dialed McNeil.


    "So you''re nning to buy V&S Group as a gift for Violet? McNeil, I''m not giving up thispany."


    His tone was icy. "Once thepany is mine, it''s my choice what I do with it. But think carefully—if you refuse to let go of V&S Group, Stein is going to face charges. He could end up in a military court. Make up your mind."


    Victoria''s voice was steel. "You hate my brother that much? Why?"


    McNeil twirled a pen in his hand, his gaze dark with anger. "Victoria, after six years of marriage, I know exactly who''s in your family. Stein''sst name is Campbell, your mother''s is Turner. How is he your cousin?"


    "Don''t think I''ll believe there''s nothing between you two just because you gave him a title. I''ll ask you onest time-do you want Stein, or do you want V&S Group? You decide."


    "V&S Group, huh? Stein''s name is right there. Who''s ''V''? Is that you? Why not call it ''Victoria & Stein''?"


    A tremor ran through Victoria. McNeil saw through everything.


    "You named yourpany after another man. How am I supposed to feel as your husband? And now you want to take it public overseas-am I supposed to be the fool in front of the whole world? I won''t stand for it, Victoria. You know what you have to do."