"Here''s to a smooth partnership, McNeil. This is thest time I''m entrusting Vicky to you. If you ever let her down, I''ll take her away myself."


    A shadow flickered in McNeil''s eyes.


    Their handshake was firm, almost aggressive-neither man willing to be the first to let go. The tension was thick in the air until someone entered and gave a polite nod. "General."


    Stein and McNeil released each other''s hands at once.


    "I''ll leave you to it."


    McNeil took Victoria''s hand, and Stein gave her a brief nod of farewell.


    Knowing Stein had business to attend to, Victoria excused herself without protest.


    At the entrance, Stein''s car was already waiting for them.


    "Mr. Langford, where to?" the driver asked.


    "The airport," McNeil replied coolly.


    Victoria looked at him, puzzled.


    "I booked us tickets back to Starfall City," McNeil exined. "We''re done here-no reason to stay any longer."


    Victoria had hoped to find a chance to visit Stein''s home and see Jimmy Campbell, but McNeil was moving faster than she''d anticipated.


    "I still have things at the hotel," she protested.


    After several days there, she''d left clothes to beundered, never thinking she''d be heading home so suddenly.


    "Buy new ones," McNeil said, not bothering to look at her.


    "If you''re missing anything, or if there''s something you want, just let me know. Maynard can arrange it."


    Victoria''s expression darkened.


    She pulled out her phone and sent Stein a message:


    "Sorry, big brother-leaving without saying goodbye again. I''m heading home."


    Just likest time. Alwaysing and going in a rush.


    Stein seemed to have expected it.


    "Safe travels. Call me when you get home."


    Knowing he wasn''t upset eased her guilt.


    That afternoon, McNeil made sure they had the ne to themselves, flying back


    to Starfall City in private-just the two of them.


    At the airport, a car was already waiting, arranged by McNeil, of course.


    As soon as the door opened, Violet stepped out.


    "McNeil..."


    She was immacte in her designer suit, exuding confidence as she stood beside the car.


    "Ms. Turner, thank you for keeping McNeilpany these past few days," Violet said, her smile polite and brittle. "Would you like a ride with us?"


    Victoria kept her face neutral. "No, thank you. Someone''s picking me up."


    McNeil grabbed her arm, frowning. "What''s this about?"


    Victoria sighed. “Mr. Langford, we''re home. We''re going separate ways."


    "Get in the car," he insisted, blocking her path.


    She raised an eyebrow. "I''d rather not be a third wheel. Could you move?"


    McNeil really must be sick if he couldn''t see Violet anxiously waiting for him to get in and ride back to their cozy love nest.


    "McNeil..." Violet''s voice trembled as she bit her lip, her face paling in the wind.


    Victoria wondered how clueless she''d have to be to stick around and make things more ufortable.


    Just then, Yasmine''s car pulled up.


    She stepped out and took in the scene: her boss''s soon-to-be-ex-husband and his new girlfriend? Yasmine was at a loss for words.


    McNeil gave Violet a look. "You go with the driver. I''ll take this car."


    With that, he grabbed Victoria and headed straight for Yasmine''s car, leaving Violet behind.


    Yasmine, flustered, watched as McNeil practically shoved Victoria into the back seat before climbing in after her.


    "Well? What are you waiting for? Drive," he ordered.


    Yasmine hesitated, her foot hovering over the pedal, ncing at Victoria for guidance.


    McNeil leaned in close to Victoria''s ear. "Throw another tantrum and I''ll take you right here in the car."


    Victoria knew better than to test him when he got like this. She stared straight ahead.


    "Drive. To—” She paused, then gave Yasmine the address to McNeil''s vi. For the first time in days, McNeil''s stormy expression finally cleared.


    Behind them, as Yasmine drove off with Victoria and McNeil, Violet was left standing at the curb, her anger barely contained.


    The driver nced at her nervously. "Ms. Marchand...?"


    He''de all this way for nothing.


    Violet took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with fury.


    "Take me back to the office."


    V&S Group.


    Violet strode into her office, tossing her coat aside as she went. Without breaking stride, she swept every expensive ornament from her desk, sending them crashing to the floor.


    Her new assistant, nervously carrying a freshly brewed cup of coffee, walked in at exactly the wrong moment.


    "Ms. Ms. Marchand, I brought your coffee..."


    The assistant had only just started at V&S and had heard the stories-Ms. Marchand was a force to be reckoned with, a powerhouse who''d risen on her own merits without relying on her sessful boyfriend. She was an inspiration to women throughout thepany.


    The assistant never imagined her very first day would coincide with her boss''s worst mood.


    Violet fixed her with a cold stare, the rich aroma of the spilt coffee filling the office.


    "Who told you toe in without my say-so? Is this your first day? Don''t you know the rules? Did I ask for coffee? Who told you to take the initiative?"


    She pped the cup from the assistant''s hand. Scalding coffee sshed across the girl''s skin, making her yelp in pain.


    "Get out. Next time, don''t y the hero unless I ask you. I can''t stand brown- nosers who can''t stick to their job..."