Letting Victoria go with him would be like tossing amb to the wolves. By the time McNeil had his way with her, it''d be far toote for regrets.


    Curtis knew all too well how dangerous McNeil could be around women. Never mind his terrifyingly powerful background-the way hevished gifts and resources on women was enough to make anyone wary.


    Take Violet, for instance-his perpetual muse. McNeil had thrown hundreds of millions into her, handed her apany, poured resources at her feet. What woman could ever willingly walk away from a man like that?


    And now, he was just as generous with Victoria. Curtis had even checked on that set of emeralds McNeil gifted her they were worth millions.


    Victoria was someone McNeil had only just started to pursue, yet he already spared no expense.


    Even at work, McNeil had promised her a five percent cut on the project. At this rate, a deputy director at Quantum Core Technologies would soon out-earn Curtis himself.


    All his years of hard work couldn''tpare to three months of McNeil doting on a


    woman.


    It wasn''t that Curtis was jealous of Victoria or Violet. He just worried that Victoria would get swept up by McNeil''s money and charm, end up losing herself, and tumble straight into his arms.


    Victoria was the one he''d set his sights on. She''d been at thepany for months, and he hadn''t dared make a move. McNeil, on the other hand, didn''t care if a woman was married or had kids-he went after anyone he pleased.


    Curtis''s expression darkened, his voice cold as ice.


    "I won''t allow you to go out alone with one of my female staff. Last time I saw you with your wife, and now the whole city knows you''ve got a girlfriend. Yet somehow, you''re already making moves inside mypany. McNeil, business is business. Don''t forget the old saying-don''t foul your own nest."


    McNeil shot back, "So you''re really going to turn against me over a woman?"


    Curtis was brimming with challenge. "It''s not about a woman-it''s about you crossing the line. Can''t you just focus on work for once?"


    McNeil bristled at Curtis''s obvious protectiveness over Victoria. But he couldn''t exactly tell him Victoria was his wife.


    "I know what I''m doing. As for whether Victoria and I end up together, that''s up to her. Don''t act like you''re her boyfriend. She''s been at yourpany for months and never looked twice at you, has she? So why shouldn''t I go after her? She''s not yours."


    The tension over the phone was palpable, both men refusing to back down.


    Curtis dug in his heels. "This isn''t up for discussion."


    He simply refused.


    McNeil''s tone turned mocking. "Come off your high horse. If I bring you to the client meeting, do you even understand tech? Do you know how to code? Can you speak to the technical specs?"


    He fired off his questions, and Curtis went momentarily silent.


    Curtis knew the basics-he could handle simple scripts-but anything advanced was out of his depth. Still, he had a sharp business mind and recognized technology as the future. Plus, he had a strong team and solid cash flow. And with McNeil backing him, Quantum Core Technologies had risen to be a leading firm in Starfall City over the past few years.


    McNeil snorted. "Victoria is the right person for this. She''s in charge of the project, isn''t she? Your whole tech department reports to her. She knows the business, and she knows the code. How can I have a real conversation with Mr. Campbell if I bring you along? Justpiling data or parroting a pitch-you wouldn''t keep up if we left tomorrow."


    Curtis had noeback.


    McNeil finally softened his voice. "Whether you like it or not doesn''t matter. Ask Victoria herself. I''ll book two business ss tickets, set up the hotel-she won''t have to worry about a thing. Send her to me."


    The call ended, leaving Curtis with a bitter sense of humiliation.


    It was as if he were some medieval king being forced to send his own daughter off


    to secure an alliance.


    He mmed his fist into the ashtray.


    ss shattered, and his hand started to bleed.


    The worst part was, McNeil wasn''t wrong. Bringing Victoria really was the best choice for the project.


    He wanted to call her, to ask if she''d be willing to go to Evermore City with McNeil. But after thinking it over, he decided to go see her in person.


    Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Curtis could see everything inside Victoria''s office. Ailie was with her, and the two of them seemed to be chatting happily.


    Victoria was all smiles.


    Sunlight streamed through the ss, lighting up her gentle, beautiful face with a soft, radiant glow.


    Even in her business attire, there wasn''t a trace of sharpness or arrogance about her.


    She always gave off an impression of warmth and quiet strength.


    When she wasn''t talking business, she wore a subtle, serene smile. Being around her felt like standing in a gentle spring breeze.


    Curtis stood outside, watching herugh and talk with Ailie, finding himself lost in the moment.


    It wasn''t until a passing employee noticed him lingering outside and politely greeted him—"Morning, Mr. Garcia"-that Ailie and Victoria realized he was there.


    Curtis''s hand, strong and elegant, rested on the door as he pushed it open. Tall and striking as ever, he still couldn''t hide the heaviness in his heart. "What are you two talking about?"