Though Curtis''s tone sounded like he was asking for opinions, it was clear his mind was already made up.


    McNeil kept silent-he wasn''t foolish enough toment.


    The gleam in Violet''s eyes faded swiftly, her earlier pride wiped away by the force of Curtis''s announcement.


    Paul, with that sly, foxlike glint in his eyes, shot Victoria a look full of mischief.


    "Wow, that''s great! If Victoria''s going to be thepany''s vice president, maybe I can-"


    McNeil''s cold stare cut him off mid-sentence. Paul instantly mmed up, reading the room.


    Violet''sposure slipped; she feigned calm, fixing Curtis with a steady gaze. Her lips parted, crimson and cool: "I disagree."


    Her smile was polite but edged with ice. "Of course, I have no personal grudge against Ms. Turner, nor do I intend any offense. I''m just considering what''s best for thepany."


    Paul nced at Violet, growing more convinced that the woman before him was nothing like the Vivian he''d once admired.


    "Mr. Garcia, let''s not forget: Victoria once sabotaged an entire project for her own benefit. Isn''t that lesson enough for Quantum Core Technologies? I''ll admit, Ms. Turner is talented-and thepany''s already entrusted her with the crucial task of developing our new game. That alone will keep her busy.


    But being vice president means overseeing far more than software development. There are entire divisions under that role. I''m sure Victoria has the capability, but... I hear you have a child, Ms. Turner. Doesn''t your family need you?"


    Violet''s words were a pointed reminder: Victoria shouldn''t assume she could just swoop in and steal her thunder.


    Even if Victoria left Quantum Core Technologies, Violet was determined not to give up her own position.


    To her, Victoria was hopelessly out of her depth when it came to management. If Victoria was so capable, how had McNeil managed to take over V&S Group and hand it to her? Victoria''s attempts to y smart on the outside lookedughable from Violet''s perspective.


    McNeil had never acknowledged Victoria''s worth. Now, Victoria was trying to dazzle everyone at Quantum Core Technologies, hoping Curtis would help her climb thedder. Violet figured Curtis was simply blinded by her looks; that had to be the only reason for such a foolish decision.


    Victoria smiled, unruffled. "Wherever thepany needs me, I''ll be there."


    Curtis exhaled, relieved. He''d invented the whole story about the board voting on Victoria''s appointment; there was no such process.


    But he sincerely valued Victoria''s abilities. Leaving her stuck as an engineer in the tech department was a waste-she''d leave sooner orter. Better to give her a meaningful position now and keep her here.


    Curtis had no intention of losing Victoria. So what if she was married? The only thing stopping him was his uncertainty about her feelings. If she showed even the slightest interest, he wouldn''t care about her marriage status at all.


    Some men don''t value what they have. If he could win her over, that was his own skill-let the chips fall where they may.


    Violet, for her part, had been trying to warn Victoria off, hoping she''d take the hint and back down. She hadn''t expected Victoria to ignore the warning and stand her ground.


    A waiter entered, setting out sses and pouring hot water all around. Conversation halted, and the private dining room fell into an uneasy silence. Everyone nursed their own thoughts, except Paul, who looked around in confusion, wanting to speak but unsure what to say.


    When the waiter left, Violet lifted her ss, sipping delicately, but her eyes were fixed on McNeil.


    "Mr. Langford, what do you think? Shouldn''t a married woman be focused on her family? I recall Victoria taking frequent leaves recently, always citing family emergencies. The VP role is critical-there''s no room for distractions. Do you really believe she''s up to it?"


    Curtis couldn''t hold back any longer. "Why are you asking McNeil? He''s not her husband; he doesn''t get to decide for her."


    Paul, caught mid-sip, sputtered hot tea everywhere. Everyone turned to stare. He coughed, flustered, pointing at his cup. "Hot-seriously, this tea must be scalding!"


    McNeil shot him a frosty warning. "Then wait for it to cool."


    Paul fell silent, realizing this dinner wasn''t the lighthearted family chat he''d expected. Instead, he''d walked into the middle of a battlefield, with two women at war and Mr. Garcia stirring the pot. If he''d known, he would have invited a few more allies to witness the drama. This beat any soap opera on TV.


    Violet seethed but kept her temper in check.


    McNeil quietly poured Victoria a ss of water, an action noticed by everyone. Curtis looked stunned; Violet''s expression twisted, herposure fracturing.


    Victoria''s gaze darkened. What exactly was McNeil ying at?


    "Thepany is yours," McNeil said coolly. "You can appoint whoever you like. Frankly, Ms. Turner''s talent is so rare, I''ve considered poaching her for Vertex Dynamics-"


    Curtis blurted, "No way. She''s mine."


    A shadow passed over McNeil''s eyes, dark and imprable, hinting at anger beneath the surface.


    Violet raised her ss, lips quirking in a mocking arc. Victoria was certainly something, to have Curtis so thoroughly bewitched. But the more alluring she made herself, the more McNeil would look down on her. unting your beauty was the cheapest trick in the book.


    Realizing his slip, Curtis hurried to correct himself.