Simms wore the smug expression of a man used to getting his way, and he''d gone out of his way to make sure Yulia looked every bit the societydy-her elegant outfit and expensive jewelry the perfectplement to his own image.


    As soon as they appeared at the restaurant entrance, the manager hurried over to greet them.


    "Good afternoon, sir. Do you have a reservation?"


    Simms replied coolly, "The private room under Mr. Langford''s name."


    The manager hesitated, frowning in confusion. "Mr. Langford? Which Mr. Langford?"


    Yulia linked arms with Simms and interjected with a gentle smile, "I know where Violet is. Let''s go."


    Simms'' face darkened with irritation. This manager clearly didn''t know his ce. Simms made a mental note to speak to the restaurant owner-someone would be looking for a new job soon.


    Yulia led Simms gracefully into the private dining room. Inside, only Violet sat waiting.


    "McNeil isn''t here yet?" Simms asked, scanning the room.


    Violet''s face fell immediately, but Yulia was quick to smooth things over. "Violet rarely has time to bring us together for a meal. Mr. Langford''s busy, and if he couldn''t make it, that''s fine. There''ll be plenty of chances."


    Simms was hardlyforted. He''d cleared his lunch schedule for this, turning down a meeting with several major investors because McNeil had asked him toe. Now, finding only Violet here, he felt his time was being wasted, and it showed inly on his face.


    "Order whatever you like, both of you. Lunch is on me today," Violet offered politely, trying to lift the mood.


    Simms kept his tone cold. "Let your aunt do the ordering," he said, making it obvious he wasn''t in the mood for small talk.


    Violet didn''t take offense. In truth, she was feeling low herself, and had invited Yulia and Simms only because she had no one else to turn to. Her own parents were far away in a tiny, forgotten town-uneducated, never fitting in with her world. She''d moved to Starfall City in middle school, sent by her parents to live with her aunt and uncle, who promised her better prospects.


    And they''d delivered. Simms and Yulia had treated her like their own, giving her an allowance that would make most college students blush, and even buying her a vi of her own. At thirteen, her life had changed overnight from a country girl in hand-me-downs to a socialite with the world at her feet.


    Now, Violet had all but forgotten her roots. She ordered a few of Simms'' favorite dishes, but no one was really interested in eating. Simms checked his watch repeatedly, his impatience growing more obvious by the minute. Violet barely noticed.


    Yulia broke the silence, "Did you have a falling out with Mr. Langford?"


    Simms immediately perked up, his expression sharpening as he studied Violet. "You two argued?"


    Violet stabbed her fork into her cake, crumbling it without realizing. "No, Uncle. If you really want to help, maybe you should pay more attention to Victoria."


    She set her utensils down and slumped back in her chair, her mood ck.


    At the mention of Victoria, Simms'' already sour mood turned stormy. "What''s she done now?"


    Yulia chimed in, puzzled, "Aren''t you both at the samepany? You''re vice president-she can''t outshine you there."


    Violet gave a bitterugh. "And what does that matter? I''ll never be as good at ying the temptress as she is."


    Her eyes flicked to Simms, as if ming him.


    "You''re saying your issues with McNeil are because of Victoria?" Simms was skeptical, and Yulia looked incredulous.


    “That''s impossible. Victoria''s been married to McNeil for years and no one in Starfall City even knows she''s Mrs. Langford. Everyone knows you," Simms said honestly.


    Yulia nodded in agreement. "Violet, maybe it''s all a misunderstanding. Mr. Langford isn''t like other men. With his sess, anyone else would have women lining up for attention, but he only has eyes for you. You''re his one and only."


    Violet felt her mood lift at their reassurances. She''d almost brought up what she''d overheard on the phone yesterday-the ugly truth that still stung. But maybe, she thought, McNeil was just being considerate of her health, choosing to cherish her instead.


    Victoria? She was nothing. If McNeil still refused to acknowledge her as his wife, what did she have topete with? Even if McNeil did sleep with Victoria, wasn''t it just a man''s way of letting off steam? And at least the woman at home didn''t cost him anything.


    That thought put a smug smile back on Violet''s face.


    Simms watched her carefully. "Don''t overthink it. McNeil doesn''t seem to care for Victoria. Still, men are men-they care about some things more than others. You might want to put more effort into that side of your rtionship, instead of burying yourself in work."


    But Violet scoffed at his advice. She''d never stoop to using her body to please a man-that was beneath her. If Victoria wanted to use that cheap trick, let her. It wouldn''t get her anywhere.


    With her mind made up, Violet''s appetite returned. She took a few bites, and then her phone buzzed-McNeil''s name on the screen.


    "Where are you?"


    "I''m having lunch with my aunt and uncle..."


    McNeil replied in his usual calm tone, "Alright. Call me when you''re done. I''lle pick you up."


    Violet''s smile brightened, and Simms exchanged a nce with Yulia.


    "Who was that?" Yulia asked.


    "Of course, it was McNeil," Violet replied, unable to hide her satisfaction. "He said he''lle pick me up when we''re done."