"What I''m saying is, Victoria belongs to Quantum Core Technologies. Besides, ourpany, Vertex Dynamics, and the soon-to-be V&S Group are all basically siblings under the same umbre. There''s no shortage of talent in the market. So please, you two-stop circling around here hoping to poach my people. I''m not letting anyone go."


    No matter how Curtis tried to exin, McNeil was already annoyed by thatst remark.


    His eyes sharpened, and he tapped his fingers on the table with a casual air that didn''t fool anyone. "And what if Ms. Turner herself wants to join The Langford Group?"


    Victoria let out a dryugh. “Oh, Mr. Langford, you''re quite theedian. A ce like The Langford Group is way out of my league."


    Six years. Six years spent building an empire with him, yet he''d never allowed her


    to set foot inside-not even once. The only time she''d seen the full scope of Vertex Dynamics was that joint team-building event with Quantum Core Technologies.


    McNeil''s expression darkened. He said nothing. Sensing the tension rising, Violet cut in before things spiraled out of control.


    “The food''s here,” she said briskly. "Since Mr. Garcia has decided to promote Victoria to vice president, that''s cause for celebration. Let''s toast to Victoria''s promotion tonight."


    She raised her ss, leading the others. Violet had caught the implication in McNeil''s words—he actually wanted Victoria back at The Langford Group. That would never do. If Victoria ended up marrying McNeil, The Langford Group should be her own stronghold, not a ce for her future husband''s ex-wife to hang around. If it came to it, Violet would rather pay Victoria alimony just to make sure she stayed far, far away.


    With that, the charged conversation between McNeil and Victoria was shelved. McNeil was still visibly displeased, though he kept it under wraps.


    Everyone raised their sses for a toast. Paul tried to lighten the mood throughout dinner, but no one paid him much attention. Curtis asked a few polite questions, but otherwise, the table was quiet-everyone focused on their food.


    Curtis had never experienced such a stifling atmosphere at a dinner before. It was a first for him.


    Ironically, the only person who seemed to be enjoying herself was Victoria.


    Curtis had ordered all her favorites. If McNeil hadn''t been sitting right there, she would''ve demolished two whole tes of lobster by herself. Her appetite was only slightly dampened by the tension around her—but not by much.


    Once the meal was done, Curtis offered everyone a ride home.


    He turned to Victoria. "Let me drive you."


    But McNeil reached over and picked up Victoria''s purse with such practiced ease it was as if he''d been doing it his whole life. "I''ll take my cousin and VP Turner. You can drive Ms. Marchand home. Looks like Paul and VP Turner were deep in discussion about the project earlier. They can ride with me and keep the conversation going."


    Paul was speechless. Violet, meanwhile, was taken aback-McNeil couldn''t even be bothered to offer her a ride anymore.


    Curtis couldn''t quite put his finger on what was off. From start to finish, McNeil acted like he was staking his im on Victoria in front of everyone, yet nothing he said or did with Victoria could be called improper.


    On paper, giving Paul and Victoria a ride made perfect sense-so much sense that Curtis actually found it suspicious. McNeil was never like this before. He and Violet used to attend events together all the time. Now he wouldn''t even give her a lift.


    Violet couldn''t hold back anymore. Her voice was tight. "You don''t need to drive me. I''ll call a cab."


    She shot McNeil a wounded look, but her words were gracious, even generous. "VP Turner''s a woman. Please make sure she gets home safely."


    Victoria had no interest in ying along with McNeil''s games. She headed out early, and Paul practically floated after her, as if she''d stolen his soul.


    McNeil, not bothering to say goodbye to Curtis or acknowledge Violet''s words, was already out the door.


    Curtis trailed behind, lost in thought.


    Violet''s heels echoed sharply through the empty corridor of the restaurant.


    "Did McNeil know Victoria before this?" Curtis asked, catching Violet off guard. Something felt off about the whole night.


    Violet swallowed her annoyance, forcing a calm reply. "Of course, they met at Quantum Core Technologies. Victoria holds a grudgest time she didn''t get her way, she managed to crash the whole project with a self-destruct code in the game. And now Mr. Garcia is making her the lead again. If McNeil''s invested in this project, he only cares about the bottom line. His concern for Victoria is strictly professional.


    If I''m not worried, why should you be? It''s business-sometimes you have to use whatever means necessary for a deal. Victoria''s easy enough to please; give her a little recognition and appreciation, and she''ll throw herself into her work. McNeil''s the head of The Langford Group, and if he stoops to tter her, she''s bound to be thrilled.


    Honestly, I agree with McNeil''s approach—though if Victoria happens to fall for a handsome face, McNeil would be a solid candidate. Too bad I have a thing about sharing men. I couldn''t stand the thought of it."


    Curtis felt a wave of irritation at how far Violet was stretching the truth, painting Victoria in such an unttering light.


    "Victoria''s not like that. She has a family-she''d never cheat. As for McNeil, I''d like to believe he''s not that kind of man—"


    Was he, though?


    Isaac''s warning echoed in Curtis''s mind. Was McNeil really using Violet as a decoy, ying the field behind the scenes?


    Curtis''s mood sank.


    Violet''s expression soured even more.


    "Of course not," she snapped. "McNeil would never be interested in someone like Victoria."