Victoria was silent for a moment before she finally replied, her voice cool and measured, "I''ll think about it."


    McNeil''s tone was clipped. "My patience is limited. You don''t have much time."


    The line went dead. Without missing a beat, Victoria called Yasmine. "I need you to tally up all my current assets. Sell anything that can be sold."


    She was buying time, fighting for every extra day. If V&S Group couldst just one more day, it was worth it. McNeil always kept his word-she knew he wouldn''t wait long. Meanwhile, she was drowning in work at Quantum Core Technologies, overseeing the development of their new game. K had also finally surfaced with


    news.


    For the first time, Victoria found herselfpletely overwhelmed. She even called her older brother, who, thankfully, still sounded as calm as ever.


    If Stein could still answer the phone, it meant for now-he was safe. That was a relief.


    The days blurred into a whirlwind of work, but Victoria still made sure to carve out time each day to be with Gwh.


    Gwh''s visits to Winding Peak Lane had grown fewer and farther between. Victoria knew the reason: Quantum Core Technologies was expanding rapidly, keeping everyone on their toes.


    Ever since Violet joined, thepany had grown stricter, its policies tighter. Violet herself was a workaholic. After being promoted to vice president, she''d led thepany to new heights-profits had more than doubled. Most credited Violet for


    the surge.


    Of course, some grumbled about the longer hours. But when payday came and bonuses were up twenty percent, everyint evaporated.


    One evening, McNeil called to tell Victoria to pick up Gwh-the next day there was a parent-child activity at kindergarten. Victoria understood: he was asking her toe home, to tuck Gwh in for the night.


    But then George messaged herst-minute: there was an urgent project, and she needed to workte. Victoria was caught between a rock and a hard ce.


    She called McNeil back. "Something''se up at the office-I might not make it tonight. I won''t be able to put Gwh to bed, but I promise I''ll be home first thing to take her to school tomorrow."


    Victoria was still under McNeil''s thumb. It had been nearly two weeks since he''d first told her to consider selling V&S Group to him.


    He hadn''t pushed further-perhaps because Victoria, unlike before when she''d found out about him and Violet and stubbornly moved out, was now morepliant.


    She did everything she could to stall, but the smartest move was to obey him in every other way.


    McNeil hadn''t yed his trump card yet, and she dared not make any sudden moves. They circled each other cautiously, both unwilling to show their hands.


    McNeil''s voice was cold. "You''re the one responsible for fixing this. I want a mother whoes home at night, a wife who fulfills her duties. Or you can choose to be a career woman. Up to you."


    He hung up without a hint of courtesy. Given the choice between being the perfect wife and mother or the upromising career woman, Victoria didn''t hesitate— she chose the former.


    Gwh began spending more time with Victoria, and it seemed Victoria was bing more important to her than Violet, if only by a little.


    Still, the more time they spent together, the more inevitable the asional sh -Victoria couldn''t help but be strict with her. Even so, Gwh''s temperament had softened considerably.


    At school, Max was Gwh''s constant ymate. Max always envied her for having a mom, so Gwh, in turn, was less prickly with Victoria.


    One night, as Victoria was helping Gwh with her homework, George called her on video chat.


    "In about half an hour, Ms. Marchand wants the whole tech department in the conference room. If it were just overtime, I could cover for you, but for this, you need to be present."


    He added, "No need toe in-you can join from home. Ms. Marchand''s meetings are always urgent, and she won''t dy for anyone. Just keep quiet during the meeting. I''ll exin your situation."


    George always looked out for Victoria. Everyone had noticed how hard she worked since joining the tech department—her efficiency was double that of anyone else. When she needed to leave for family reasons, no one begrudged her. In fact, no one was jealous; it was as if she''d be part of the family.


    "Thank you," she said, grateful. She''d simply told George she had a family matter that night, and he hadn''t pressed for details-just let her off the hook.


    It was a privilege only she enjoyed. Her colleagues all doted on her.


    Gwh, seeing her mother on the phone, asked curiously, "Mom, are you very busy?"


    Victoria stroked her daughter''s hair, her expression softening. "I have a video meeting soon, sweetheart. Once you finish your homework, you can y for a bit and then go to bed, okay?"


    Gwh looked up at her, a little disappointed. "Does that mean you can''t sleep with me tonight? Can you at least sit by my bed while you work?"


    Victoria shook her head. "The meeting will be noisy and gote-you won''t be able to sleep. You''re a big girl now, you can fall asleep on your own."


    Mostly, she was afraid Gwh would wander onscreen during the call.


    Gwh pouted, not ready to give up. She wanted to curl up next to her mother tonight. Back at Winding Peak Lane, she''d always fallen asleep in Violet''s arms- Violet never said no.


    Usually, if Gwh whined enough, Victoria would give in. She decided to try again.


    "No, darling. This meeting is important. You''re growing up-big girls learn to sleep by themselves."


    Victoria remained firm, soothing her for a while before getting up. The meeting would start in fifteen minutes; she needed time to prepare.


    Seeing that her mother wouldn''t budge, Gwh''s eyes filled with tears after Victoria left.


    She turned her gaze to the doll Violet had given her, walked over, and hugged it tightly before climbing into bed.