Curtis replied with a single word, his tone as cool as ever.


    "Alright."


    The next morning


    Ailie and Victoria arrived at the Starfall City airport, their luggage minimal-just a single suitcase each, no unnecessary extras.


    McNeil showed up alone as well, wheeling his suitcase with the effortlessposure of someone used to being in control, a subtle air of detachment around him. His shirt was crisp and wless, not a wrinkle in sight, tailored perfectly to his athletic frame. He carried his suit jacket draped over his forearm. Every woman who passed him seemedpelled to sneak a second nce.


    Ailie and Victoria stood side by side, watching as McNeil gradually came into view.


    "Such a ssic gentleman on the outside-what a waste of a handsome face," Ailie muttered, annoyance flickering in her eyes. She couldn''t understand why fate seemed to favor men like him. People with twisted morals, who fooled around despite being married, somehow still managed tond wealth and admiration that everyone else could only dream of. The world just wasn''t fair.


    McNeil approached, holding three ne tickets. He handed them to Victoria.


    "This one''s yours. The other is for your friend," he said calmly.


    Victoria took the tickets and immediately noticed something was off; the flight McNeil booked for Ailie waspletely different from theirs.


    "What''s this supposed to mean? Where is this flight going? Why did you book her on a different one?" she demanded.


    Ailie handed her suitcase to Victoria, saying she needed to use the restroom. As soon as Ailie disappeared into the crowd, Victoria turned to McNeil, her voice low and edged with anger.


    "This ticket goes to Marisbright. There''s a beach and a vi there. I booked her the best hotel. While we''re in Evermore City, she can enjoy her own little vacation," McNeil exined, unruffled.


    "That''s not what we agreed on! She was supposed toe with us. Why are you sending her off on her own?" Victoria''s re was icy.


    McNeil''s gaze remained indifferent. "You know exactly why. Do married couples really need a third wheel tagging along on a business trip?"


    And just like that, Victoria understood he wanted them alone, sharing a hotel room. Her ears burned red.


    "McNeil, we''re traveling for work. This is a professional trip. Don''t even think about it—I''m not agreeing to this. If Ailie can''te with us, then change the flights. Now."


    She hated how he always made decisions without consulting her.


    McNeil pressed his tongue against his mrs, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes.


    "I heard Ailie''s taking care of a paralyzed grandmother and a younger brother. The whole family relies on her, isn''t that right?"


    Victoria''s face paled. "What are you getting at?"


    "Nothing. Just making conversation," he said, though the threat was clear.


    He reached out, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, revealing her strikingly beautiful profile. Victoria''s face really could turn heads-McNeil had always been drawn to her looks, obsessed even. That hadn''t changed.


    "If you insist on bringing her along, I won''t stop you. But I can''t promise her family won''t run into...plications while she''s away. Victoria, after all these years, you know what I''m capable of. Some tricks, I even learned from you. Remember?"


    Victoria pped his hand away, eyes shing with hatred-though she quickly masked it.


    "Fine, McNeil. I''ll give her the ticket. Let her go enjoy her vacation. Just remember, I hope you never regret what you did today."


    McNeil leaned in, his voice a low whisper. "How could I regret it? We''re still married, aren''t we?"


    Ailie walked back towards them.


    Victoria handed her the ticket with a reassuring smile. "Ailie, I need to talk to McNeil for a moment. You go ahead and board first-we''ll meet you on the ne."


    Ailie looked at McNeil suspiciously, then at Victoria. "He didn''t do anything to you, did he?"


    Victoriaughed. "Of course not, silly. Go on, I''ll be fine. He wouldn''t dare pull anything."


    Really, what could McNeil do to her? She was carrying the Langford family''s heir, and old Mr. Langford was her shield. If anything happened, all she had to do was mention his name-McNeil wouldn''t dare step out of line.


    "Alright, I''ll board first. Be careful," Ailie said, still not suspecting a thing, and headed toward the gate with her ticket.


    As Ailie''s figure disappeared, Victoria and McNeil stood together, looking every bit the picture-perfect couple.


    McNeil took her suitcase, and the two of them went to their own gate.


    It wasn''t until her flight took off that Ailie realized McNeil and Victoria hadn''t


    boarded with her. She tried calling, but couldn''t get through. Anxiously, she asked


    a flight attendant and finally learned that her ne wasn''t heading to Evermore City at all-it was bound for Marisbright.


    Ailie was stunned. No doubt, this was McNeil''s doing.


    Meanwhile, McNeil and Victoria boarded a different flight. Only after Victoria checked in did she realize they were the only two passengers on the entire ne.


    So it wasn''t really amercial flight at all—it was McNeil''s private jet.


    "There was no need for all this fuss," McNeil said with a hint of a smile. "Taking


    our own private ne would have been faster. But my darling wife enjoys the thrill


    of flying like ordinary people, so I thought I''d indulge you."