Victoria requested a week off from Curtis, and he agreed without hesitation.


    She also told McNeil that she hadn''t been feeling welltely and wouldn''t be able to pick up Gwh. McNeil knew she''d been worn out from the recent trip to Evermore City and could see she was genuinely exhausted, so he dropped the pretense of using Gwh to keep Victoria cooped up at home.


    Her days quickly settled into a quiet routine: eating, sleeping, and sifting through the files Yasmine sent her. Victoria carefully organized all the useful information, locked it away in her private folder, and guarded it like a secret.


    That evening, the IT department was having a team dinner. George called to ask if she was free to join them for dinner. Word of Victoria''s return from Evermore City had already spread through the office, and everyone knew she was on leave; nobody even bothered to gossip about it. After all, everyone understood that VP Turner''s trip to Evermore City was for thepany''s next big government drone project—a major deal. And it wasmon knowledge that McNeil himself had insisted shee along. The entire staff agreed that VP Turner worked herself to the bone, constantly juggling the demands of their most important client.


    If rumors ever surfaced about Mr. Langford and VP Turner, no one would whisper behind Victoria''s back. On the contrary, they''d probably see her as someone making sacrifices for the wholepany.


    McNeil happened to be busy that night too, saying he wouldn''t be home for dinner. Victoria seized the chance to slip out early, not wanting to run into McNeil and risk being cornered for another long talk.


    George took everyone out for sushi. The group gathered around the chef''s counter, sipping drinks and chatting animatedly. Victoria politely declined the toasts raised in her honor. Given her current position, no one pressed her, letting her stick to water and soda while everyone else enjoyed themselves.


    The lively atmosphere outside contrasted with the tranquility of the private dining rooms, where soft music drifted through the restaurant. On her way back from the restroom, Victoria caught a glimpse of a familiar figure ahead-someone she was certain she couldn''t possibly be seeing. He shouldn''t be here, she thought. Wasn''t he supposed to be thousands of miles away, across the Antic?


    Curiosity got the better of her. She followed at a distance and saw the man slip into a private room. Victoria hesitated, knowing full well it wasn''t right to eavesdrop, but she couldn''t help herself. She stood quietly just outside the door, and not a momentter, a distinctly familiar voice reached her ears.


    “Dr. Kelvin. I honestly can''t thank you enough for everything. You''ve done so much for me I owe you a drink."


    It was Violet''s voice. Victoria could hardly believe it-Violet and Kelvin, dining together at this hour?


    "Don''t mention it," Kelvin replied, his tone cool and businesslike. "We''re both getting what we want. Now that Mr. Langford appreciates your value, Ms. Marchand, I can only hope you achieve your goal of bing Mrs. Langford."


    Victoria could hear the faint smile in Violet''s response. "To be honest, I really envy Victoria. She has so many people who care about her. But what I''m doing is for her own good as well. She''s been with McNeil for six years and he still doesn''t love her. If it were me, I''d have given up long ago. Why cling so desperately to the title of Mrs. Langford when no one even acknowledges her? For a woman, that''s just tragic. And you-pining after her in silence all these years must be exhausting.


    Still, I''m curious: if she found out that you, I, and the old man were working together to push her away from McNeil, do you think she''d ever want to be with you?"


    Kelvin regarded the woman across from him. She was beautiful, but her mind was as venomous as a viper''s. "That''s my business, not yours. I only helped you because I want her to leave McNeil. I never nned to im her for myself. Who she chooses is up to her. I just don''t want to see her trapped in a loveless marriage. I want to help her get out, that''s all."


    Violet raised her ss, eyes bright with a calcted cheerfulness. "Well, aren''t you noble. But I think you''re underestimating Victoria. Sure, McNeil bought V&S Group and gave it to me, but it came at a steep price. I don''t believe Victoria''s with McNeil just for love; there''s wealth and status at y too. Who knows what she truly can''t let go of? If I hadn''t been unable to have children, Victoria would never have be Mrs. Langford. Honestly, I''m grateful she gave me and McNeil a daughter like Gwh. Now, whether I have kids in the future or not, it just doesn''t matter as much anymore."


    Standing outside, Victoria felt a chill seep into her bones. The shock of discovering Kelvin and Violet''s alliance left her cold. What exactly did Kelvin mean by "helping"? Why would they work together against her?