"I suppose you''re not a fan of red roses. Next time, I''ll bring something else,"


    McNeil said lightly.


    Victoria just stared at him.


    During dinner, McNeil started asking Victoria about the new game she was developing.


    She answered each question, calm andposed.


    "With this release, you''ll easily pocket a couple hundred million," he remarked.


    Victoria shot him a look. "Thanks."


    He grinned. "No need for that between family."


    She let out a quiet, sardonicugh.


    Victoria looked at him again. "McNeil, are you feeling alright? Maybe you should see a doctor."


    He served her another helping of vegetables. "No need. I feel great. If you don''t believe me, you can check for yourself tonight."


    Victoria kept her eyes on her te, suddenly finding her food far more interesting than the conversation.


    Just then, McNeil''s phone buzzed. He nced at the caller ID, stood up, and headed to the front hall to take the call.


    Victoria watched him go, expression unreadable. He''d been sticking to her like glue these days—-never giving her a moment''s peace. She figured Violet must be annoyed by now.


    She shrugged it off and continued eating with Gwh.


    "Maynard?"


    "Mr. Langford, we''vepleted the investigation. There''s absolutely no blood rtion between Stein and Mrs. Turner''s mother. The Campbell family has no marital ties to the Turners either."


    McNeil''s hand tightened around his phone. "You''re certain."


    Maynard paused. "Absolutely."


    "Understood."


    He hung up and went back to the dining room.


    Gwh had already finished eating and was itching to go y in her room. Victoria had barely eaten, but as she got up, McNeil''s voice stopped her.


    "How''s the V&S Group situationing along? I''ve already given you an extension."


    Victoria froze. She''d hoped he''d let the V&S Group matter drop. Apparently, that was wishful thinking.


    "Let me think about it."


    "You have three days. Get the paperwork ready. My assistant will be in touch."


    He got up and left, cold as stone.


    Victoria sat there, speechless. Lately, McNeil''s moods had been all over the ce -so unlike him.


    Just the mention of V&S Group killed whatever appetite she had left.


    She stood up to go upstairs, but a wave of nausea struck her. She barely made it to the bathroom before she was doubled over, retching until her stomach was empty.


    No fever, no signs of a cold. When she was done, she felt like she''d been hit over the head.


    Come to think of it, her period waste-veryte. There''d been a few times with McNeil when they hadn''t used protection, but she''d thought it was her safe window, so she hadn''t worried.


    She immediately ordered a pregnancy test. The two bold red lines that appeared were unmistakable.


    Pregnant. The shock hit her like a thunderp.


    But before long, she pulled herself together.


    After dropping Gwh off at school, Victoria went to the hospital, then headed to the old family estate.


    The housekeeper greeted her at the door and hurried off to fetch the old man.


    He had her meet him in the study.


    "Just you? McNeil didn''te?"


    He''d assumed she''d bring McNeil along.


    "I came to show you these," she said, handing him a medical report and a DNA result.


    The old man read them carefully. "You''re pregnant?"


    "Yes. And there''s no question it''s a Langford heir."


    He masked his delight, fixing Victoria with a steady gaze. "Name your request."


    Victoria smiled. Old fox.


    "I just want to confirm when I got pregnant, you promised me fifty percent of the Langford Group. Does that still stand?"


    It was two hours before Yasmine came to pick Victoria up.


    She got in the car, a contract in hand.


    "Prepare three copies of the V&S Group transfer agreement."


    Yasmine''s jaw nearly hit the floor. "Ms. Turner, you''re really going to sell V&S Group?"


    Victoria gave a small, indifferent smile. "It doesn''t matter. Even if I sell it, I''m selling it to myself. But tell them-if they want it, the price isn''t five billion. It''s ten."


    If McNeil wouldn''t pay, she''d just liquidate V&S Group. No one would get a bargain out of her.


    Three dayster, McNeil''s secretary called Victoria.


    She let the phone ring until it nearly went to voicemail before finally answering.


    "Mrs. Langford, Mr. Langford asked me to reach out."


    Victoria wasn''t surprised to hear Maynard''s voice. Of course McNeil wouldn''t risk anyone at thepany recognizing her.


    "Tell Mr. Langford I''ll sell V&S Group, but the price is double. Non-negotiable."


    She hung up, leaving Maynard to ry the message.


    McNeil stared at his phone. Maynard stood nearby.


    "Mr. Langford, she''s firm on the price."


    McNeil''s eyes were cold. "What a shrewd negotiator. Any word on Stein?"


    "Echo City finally got back to us. It''s...plicated="


    McNeil let out a humorlessugh. "Increase the offer."


    Maynard hesitated. "It''s not about the money. ording to local sources, Stein''s family has served in the military for three generations. Even a family like the rks couldn''t touch him. Plus, his ancestors once saved a high-ranking officer- he could probably get away with murder and walk free."


    McNeil''s jaw tightened. Maynard could practically feel the temperature in the room drop.


    "Focus on V&S Group first," McNeil ordered, pressing his fingers to his temple.


    Maynard watched him warily. "She really wants another five billion?"


    "Give it to her. All contracts sorted within three days."


    "Yes, sir."


    Maynard left the office at a near run. As the door closed behind him, he heard something crash and shatter inside.


    He wasn''t the only one rattled-the secretary outside looked pale as a ghost and barely dared to breathe.