When the emerald jewelry set was unveiled, the entire room fell silent in astonishment-even Victoria couldn''t hide her surprise.


    She knew her mother had always cherished collecting emeralds and understood their worth, but this set was different.


    This particr set had been a family heirloom, passed down from her grandmother to her mother. After her mother''s death, when Victoria went through her belongings, the emeralds had vanished.


    For years, Victoria had searched for them in secret, alwaysing up empty- handed. The loss had fueled her resentment toward Simms, whom she suspected of having a hand in their disappearance.


    Yet she never imagined McNeil would present them to her now, and in such a dramatic fashion.


    Any other gift today, Victoria would have refused outright. But this emerald set- she couldn''t resist.


    Roses from McNeil would have raised eyebrows; emeralds sent imaginations into overdrive. Anyone with even a hint of perception could see these weren''t just any jewels.


    Soon, all eyes shifted from Victoria to McNeil.


    Everyone had always assumed Ms. Turner was Mr. Langford''s girlfriend. So what was this? Was Mr. Langford now interested in their very own VP Turner?


    Whenever McNeil had shown up with Violet in the past, the atmosphere turned stifling.


    Especially Violet, who''d wielded McNeil''s influence like a weapon, lording it over everyone in thepany. Most people secretly wished the two would break up.


    But if Mr. Langford was now pursuing VP Turner, that was a different story.


    With Mr. Langford''s wealth, if VP Turner became his girlfriend, could that mean more perks for thepany?


    Several people were already making silent calctions, willing to overlook their consciences.


    Sure, it seemed a bit unseemly for VP Turner to be involved with the former executive''s boyfriend. But honestly, most people were rooting for her.


    Curtis stepped forward, returning both the flowers and the emerald set to McNeil.


    Victoria''s gaze lingered on the emeralds.


    When Curtis handed them back, a pang shot through her chest.


    "Mr. Langford, we''re happy to work together. But let''s skip the flirting, shall we? Ms. Turner is a treasure to thispany-simply irreceable."


    He eyed the emeralds. "If you insist on giving them, we''ll take them-but only if you let us pay. How much do you want?"


    Curtis was certain Victoria would never trade her dignity for a gift. He looked at her, resolute.


    "Well, Ms. Turner? What do you say?"


    Victoria kept her eyes on the emeralds, torn and reluctant. She couldn''t just reach out and im them in front of everyone.


    Suddenly, Ailie strode over and snatched the emeralds from Curtis''s hands.


    “Mr. Garcia, you''re being too uptight! Mr. Langford''s just being generous-how could you turn him down? It''s not like we''re paying for them. Might as well ept the gift."


    She winked at Victoria. "Besides, with Ms. Turner''s talent, once her new game hits the market and bes a blockbuster, these emeralds will be nothing inparison. Think bigger!"


    Ailie clutched the box. "I''ll ept the emeralds on Ms. Turner''s behalf. Mr. Langford is a businessman-he knows what he''s doing. And he promised Ms. Turner a share of the game''s profits. He''d better not go back on his word!"


    She grinned at McNeil. "A gift is a gift-it''s a sign of goodwill. Refusing it would be an insult, don''t you think, Mr. Langford?"


    Ailie''s exnation seemed surprisingly reasonable.


    The execs and employees exchanged knowing nces-Mr. Langford was shrewd, no doubt about it. Was he using the emeralds to buy his way out of the profit-sharing agreement?


    Someone in the crowd shouted, "Take them, Ms. Turner!"


    "Yeah, Ms. Turner, Mr. Langford''s being so thoughtful. You should ept!"


    McNeil nced at Ailie, his wife''s longtime friend. Well yed.


    Curtis, relying on a man''s intuition, was convinced McNeil''s motives weren''t as calcted as Ailie suggested.


    The Langford Group had deep pockets. McNeil wouldn''t break a deal over something so trivial.


    Rumor had it, when he acquired V&S Group, he''d dropped a billion dors without batting an eye.


    Even if Victoria''s game was a smash hit, it would be pocket change for McNeil.


    He must genuinely care for Victoria. Why else would he offer such a generous profit share and now, roses and priceless jewels?


    After the gameunched, their contract would govern everything. There was no way he could renege or alter the terms.


    Curtis shot Ailie a sidelong nce.


    He still couldn''t figure her out.


    What did she have against McNeil, anyway?


    McNeil''s smile was tinged with irony.


    "Ms. Turner, your team is sharp and quick-witted. I hope my gift isn''t in vain."


    With that, he turned and exited the room, leaving Victoria''s world a little brighter, his presence nothing more than a brief, dazzling interlude.


    The moment McNeil disappeared, Curtis felt a strange wave of relief.


    He hadn''t been gone long when Victoria''s phone rang. McNeil''s name shed across the screen.


    Curtis nced at her phone, but the re kept him from seeing anything clearly. Victoria stepped aside to answer.


    "Don''t forget to pick up Gwh. And by the way, I searched a long time for those emeralds. Now they''re finally back where they belong."


    Suddenly, Victoria understood why he''d given her the emeralds. If he was willing


    to spend a billion to acquire V&S Group for Violet, what was a set of family jewels


    to him?


    Ailie was right—no point in refusing something freely given.


    She owed him nothing-not even a thank you.