Ailie lounged alone in the spacious vi, more than three thousand square feet all to herself. She sipped a ss of juice, enjoying a massage from a skilled


    therapist.


    She still remembered how dazed she''d been the day her nended in Marisbright. For a moment, she genuinely thought she''d boarded the wrong flight. But after double-checking her ticket and the flight number, there was no mistake— she was supposed to be here.


    As soon as she exited the airport, a private car was already waiting. The driver was tall, strikingly handsome, and his smile was warmer than sunshine itself. He weed her to Marisbright, informed her that she''d be staying at the city''s finest hotel, and exined that everything-absolutely everything-would beplimentary.


    Ailie had beenpletely stunned, half convinced she''d stumbled into some borate scam. That is, until the driver produced a letter of introduction from none other than Mr. Langford of the McNeil Group. It was his personal directive: she was to have the most enjoyable vacation possible. Only then did she realize McNeil had orchestrated this whole "idental" trip to get her out of the way.


    After contacting Victoria, she was reassured her friend was fine. Victoria had already gotten in touch with Mr. Stein and was busy negotiating a business deal. With her worries eased, Ailie threw herself into the pleasures of Marisbright- eating, drinking, and living it up as if she hadn''t a care in the world.


    At first, she''d been anxious about Victoria. But as the days passed, Ailie found herself swept up in the fun. If Victoria hadn''t called to check in, she might have forgotten altogether what she''de here to do.


    "Everything''s fine," Victoria told her over the phone. "But Mr. Garcia did notice you didn''te back with me. I told him you wanted to extend your stay and keep exploring."


    Ailie tensed at the mention of Curtis. Of everyone, he was the one she feared most. She was supposed to keep an eye on McNeil and make sure he didn''t cause trouble for Victoria. If Curtis found out she''d let Victoria slip away, she''d probably be the first one fired next month.


    "So, what did he say? Does he suspect anything?"


    Ailie wanted to me McNeil for the situation, but after nearly a week in Marisbright, she was beginning to feel so at home she hardly missed her old life.


    Every day, the hotel arranged for attractive men to bring her meals-never the same food or the same man twice. Each attendant was more muscr than thest. If Ailie hadn''t still been so innocent, she might have thrown caution to the wind and jumped one of them by now.


    Victoria sighed on the other end. "If he really suspected you, he wouldn''t have been so friendly. In fact, he told me to tell you to enjoy yourself, and that thepany would cover some of your extra expenses."


    Ailie felt both relieved and a little guilty.


    "Don''t worry, we''ve got detailed records of all your expenses. Just hand them over to Mr. Garcia when you get back. Tell him Mr. Langford''s already reimbursed you -no need for thepany to pay twice."


    Ailie nodded vigorously, even though Victoria couldn''t see her. "Yeah, yeah, I know."


    She had no desire to squeeze a few extra bucks out of thepany anyway. Given how perfect McNeil''s arrangements had been, she was ready to forgive him for everything.


    "So, what''s the n with you and McNeil? Are you two getting back together?"


    Victoria sounded weary. "You just focus on having fun. We''ll talk when you''re home."


    Truthfully, any talk of reconciliation was long past for Victoria. Now, her only concern wasing out of this mess with the best possible oue.


    She already controlled fifty percent of the Langford Group''s shares, and she''d sold V&S Group for a billion. No matter if the baby she was carrying was a boy or a girl, their future was secure.


    All that remained was the unresolved tangle of emotions between her and McNeil. Her heart had grown cold to him long ago. Whatever his recent, inexplicable behavior meant, Victoria wasn''t naive enough to think it was out of love or that he''d suddenly changed his mind about her.


    These days, she didn''t want to talk about her rtionship with anyone.


    Later that night, as Victoria was getting ready for bed, her phone buzzed. It was Yasmine.


    "Ms. Turner, Violet is going to the registrar''s office tomorrow to change the name of V&S Group. If I''m not mistaken, Mr. Langford is behind it."


    Yasmine sounded shocked. Mr. Langford''s attitude toward Victoria had clearly shifted, so why, after acquiring V&S Group, would he let his mistress rename thepany?


    Victoria took the news in stride. "Do you know what name they''re applying for?"


    There was a long silence before Yasmine replied, her voice hesitant. "V&M Group..."


    Victoria turned the words over in her mind. "Violet and McNeil." The name was perfect, in its own way.


    Victoria''s response was cool and detached. "Got it."


    Yasmine hesitated, feeling sorry for Victoria. She couldn''t understand if Mr. Langford didn''t love her, why did Victoria still keep tabs on that pair?


    "Ms. Turner, what should we do next?"


    She''d expected Victoria tounch some counterattack, but instead, Victoria turned the question back on her.


    "We''ve already sold V&S Group. It''s theirpany now-they can do whatever they want. Our job is just to watch."


    After a pause, Victoria added, "No matter what they do, keep a record. Document everything every action, every move. I want aplete file."


    Yasmine was puzzled. "What do you mean?"


    Victoria didn''t exin. "Just do it."