Victoria couldn''t have cared less about whatever Violet was up to.


    After Ailie slipped out of the office, she sneaked her way into the security room, a stray cat cradled in her arms.


    She found the head of security and wasted no time getting straight to the point.


    "Cut the power to the conference room immediately. There''s a short circuit- sparksing from one of the outlets."


    The chief''s eyes widened. He jumped up and was already rolling up his sleeves, ready to rush over with her.


    "No need for that," Ailie cut him off. "Just keep the power off for the next thirty minutes. Ignore any calls about it-don''t answer, no matter who it is. Mr. Garcia''s out of the building anyway; he won''t know what''s going on in the conference room."


    She leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "If he calls and asks you to turn the power back on, just agree and wait for my call before actually doing it."


    The chief nodded along, wide-eyed andpliant.


    With her mischief done, Ailie headed back to the conference room. Inside, the chatter had already picked up, filling the air with restless voices.


    Violet''s face, once projected on the massive screen, had vanished when the power cut out. Now everyone was specting, whispering to one another about the sudden ckout.


    Ailie strolled in, wearing an easy, cheerful smile.


    "Mr. Garcia, I just checked with security downstairs. They said the power grid on this floor''s overloaded-too many people using too much voltage. They''re working on repairs but it''ll be at least half an hour before we get the lights back on."


    She made sure to speak loud enough for the whole room to hear.


    People immediately began murmuring in low voices.


    "What rotten luck-Ms. Marchand was just about to bask in the spotlight, and now no one from ourpany got to see it."


    "Let her have her moment. Why drag us all into another one of these endless, pointless meetings? We''d be better off actually doing work. At least then,e bonus time, our families might get a little more to celebrate."


    "Exactly! She''s already moved on-whye back here to show off? Didn''t you see how she kept Mr. Garcia under her thumb when she was VP? You''d think thepany was hers, the way she acted."


    "I bet Mr. Garcia can barely stand her either, but since she''s the girlfriend of thepany''s backer, he had to y nice. Now that she''s gone, it''s for the best."


    "No kidding. Honestly, Ms. Marchand never had a clue-couldn''t she tell none of us liked her?"


    Curtis shot Ailie a long, thoughtful nce and nodded slightly.


    "If the problem''s with the voltage, let them take their time fixing it. Doesn''t matter how long it takes—we''ll just skip this part and move on to the next item," Curtis announced.


    As soon as he finished, Ailie looped her arm through Victoria''s, grinning mischievously. Victoria could tell just from her face that Ailie had been up to no good.


    Curtis cleared his throat. Even without a microphone, the room quieted down at


    once.


    "I have another announcement to make. Ms. Marchand has officially resigned, and her position can''t remain vacant. I propose that Victoria take over her role." He paused, scanning the room for reactions.


    Surprisingly, not a single objection was raised. Most people just looked mildly surprised, but that was all.


    To be thorough, Curtis added, "If anyone has any objections, please feel free to speak up."


    Ailie jumped in right away, her tone yful.


    "Yeah, if anyone''s got a problem, now''s the time. Mr. Garcia, if you ask me, there''s no need for Victoria to take over as VP. Look at thest VP-she worked herself into the ground and ended up leaving. Victoria''s doing just fine in R&D, making great games for us."


    She barely finished before someone else piped up.


    "I''ve got no problem with VP Turner taking Ms. Marchand''s spot. But I do have one request—could we please stop working overtime till midnight?"


    That got a round of chuckles, though only they knew how much bitterness hid behind those smiles.


    "I don''t have any issues either," another manager called out, "but I do have a suggestion for VP Turner. Next time you design a game, could you skip the self- destruct system? Last time I finally got a bonus worth three times my sry. My wife and I even opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate, but after the patch killed the bonus, she thought I was hiding money for a mistress and chased me down the street with a broom!"


    His half-jokingint set off a burst ofughter.


    The atmosphere warmed instantly. All the employees and managers began voicing suggestions and requests for Victoria, not objections.


    Quantum Core Technologies was suddenly united, the promotion meeting for Victoria lively and spirited.


    Just then, someone noticed a figure standing at the door and whispered, "Isn''t that Mr. Langford? Today''s the day Ms. Marchand takes over as CEO at V&S Group-why''s he here instead of over there?"


    Curtis, catching the ripple of excitement, turned toward the entrance. McNeil strolled in, his hands in his pockets, looking every bit the gentleman—if a little too charming for his own good. Behind him, a security guard carefully carried in a contract model cast entirely in gold. Every eye in the room widened.


    McNeil''s expression was cool and unruffled.


    "I was just about to deliver this contract to Mr. Garcia when I stumbled into this celebration," he said. "Congrattions to Ms. Turner on her new role as VP of Quantum Core Technologies. Let''s hope our twopanies continue to enjoy a great partnership."


    As he finished, someone outside wheeled in a massive bouquet-nine hundred and ny-nine stunning scarlet roses. Atop the bouquet rested an open jewelry box containing a full set of priceless emeralds.


    "For you, Ms. Turner-a little token of my appreciation. I hope you''ll ept it with a smile."