Maynard ryed Victoria''s message to McNeil exactly as she''d said it, and even he couldn''t hide his surprise at how resolute she''d suddenly be.


    McNeil listened in stony silence, his face unreadable. He didn''t say a single word.


    In the days that followed, Victoria threw herself entirely into the product development at Quantum Core Technologies. She was everywhere-testing, troubleshooting, brainstorming with her team, driving the project forward with relentless energy.


    The office buzzed with spection. Ever since Ms. Turner and Mr. Langford had gone out to sign that big contract, Mr. Langford hadn''t set foot in thepany again.


    People had wondered if there was something more between Mr. Langford and Ms. Turner, but it turned out they really were all business.


    And honestly, everyone could see the truth: Mr. Langford was dating Ms. Marchand, after all. He''d just bought a wholepany and gifted it to her. Clearly, his devotiony with Ms. Marchand. The idea that he''d be interested in Ms. Turner was just wishful thinking.


    Curtis was just as quick as everyone else to connect the dots. Any lingering gossip about Victoria and McNeil faded away when McNeil stopped showing up at Quantum Core altogether.


    Three dayster, Victoria''s newly developed game officiallyunched. This time, the marketing campaign had started well before the coding even began. The buzz rivaled that of Quantum Core''sst major hit-the racing game that had taken the industry by storm.


    Violet called McNeil.


    "Who are you sending from Vertex Dynamics to the Quantum Core Technologies press conference?" she asked.


    McNeil barely had time to respond before Violet cut him off.


    "You''re so busy, why not let me handle it? I was Quantum Core''s former Vice


    President, after all. Plus, our techpany and Quantum Core are sisterpanies now, and The Langford Group is already involved with this new game. I''m the logical choice."


    Before McNeil could answer, his secretary knocked on the door.


    "Mr. Langford, there''s a legal document that needs your personal signature."


    McNeil frowned, ncing at the envelope.


    It was divorce papers from Victoria, filed through the court.


    Violet was still waiting for his reply.


    McNeil set the envelope down on his desk, his voice t and hollow. "Do as you like."


    On the other end, Violet sounded positively triumphant, as if she''d just won the lottery.


    At nine o''clock sharp, the press conference was already in full swing. Curtis and Victoria sat center-stage, front and center. George and two of the lead engineers nked them, each beaming with genuine excitement. The seat next to Curtis was conspicuously empty.


    Everyone knew that seat was reserved for McNeil.


    Thisunch was a joint venture between The Langford Group and Quantum Core Technologies—a new game following the wild sess of their previous racing game. That earlier title had taken the gaming world by storm, was eventually sold to V&S Group, and then runched under their banner.


    Then The Langford Group acquired V&S Group altogether. The string of moves was clear as day to anyone paying attention.


    It was ssic corporate maneuvering—a calcted supply squeeze, hyping up demand, then cashing in big time.


    But the gamers? They didn''t care about boardroom machinations. All they wanted was to know if the games they loved-and the money they''d spent on in-game currency would still be there tomorrow.


    Curtis checked his watch again. McNeil should have been here by now.


    Minutes passed. The crowd began to stir as people at the back parted to make way for someone important.


    Cameras shed in a frenzy as Violet strode confidently down the aisle, nked by a male assistant and a female secretary.


    "Isn''t that Violet, Quantum Core''s former VP?"


    "I thought she started her ownpany. Oh, right—she''s Mr. Langford''s girlfriend. She must be here to see the spectacle."


    "See the spectacle''? More like be the spectacle."


    "Why isn''t Mr. Langford here? That empty seat next to Mr. Garcia has a Vertex Dynamics card. Don''t tell me Ms. Marchand is representing The Langford Group today..."


    With all eyes on her, Violet walked straight toward the stage.


    Curtis rose from his seat, clearly confused. "Mr. Garcia, McNeil couldn''t make it, so I''m representing Vertex Dynamics at today''sunch," Violet announced, brimming with confidence and charm. Every camera turned her way.


    Victoria sat beside Curtis, calm and unbothered, as if nothing could ruffle herposure.


    Violet turned to Victoria with a dazzling smile. “VP Turner, you don''t mind, do you?"


    If Violet wanted to take the seat next to Curtis, Victoria would have to move. Curtis looked at her, surprised. He knew McNeil had always treated Violet kindly, but letting her represent Vertex Dynamics seemed drastic even for him.


    Victoria ignored Violetpletely, pulling out her phone and dialing a number.


    A tense silence settled over the room.


    Rumors had always swirled about friction between the former and current VPs of Quantum Core. Whispers imed the current VP, Victoria, was secretly seeing President Langford. But the reality was stark: one woman was merely a Vice President, the other had won Mr. Langford''s heart and, with it, a techpany purchased at a king''s ransom. Now she was representing The Langford Group at this high-profile event.


    If this was a battle for the man at the top, Victoria and Ms. Marchand were locked in a silent duel.


    But the contrast was clear: Victoria was striking, but Ms. Marchand was the picture of elegance and aplishment, her charisma and poise outshining even the shiest celebrities.


    Victoria set her phone down, making it clear she had no intention of giving up her seat. Instead, she looked at Curtis. "Mr. Garcia, our contract is with The Langford Group."


    Curtis hesitated, caught in the middle. "I know."


    What was McNeil ying at? Curtis was starting to lose hisposure. Violet couldn''t possibly rece McNeil, and if she sat in his ce, the whole event would be a farce.


    "Mr. Garcia, McNeil isn''ting," Violet dered, her tone openly provocative. The two women stared each other down for nearly five minutes, camera shes punctuating the standoff.


    Victoria nced toward the entrance. The person she''d been waiting for had finally arrived.


    A man in a perfectly tailored ck suit stepped into view, drawing the attention of every camera in the room.


    "Who is that?" Curtis asked, baffled by this unexpected arrival.


    He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a trim waist and sharp features. His gold- rimmed sses lent him an air of quiet authority and intellect.