After the press conference wrapped up, Victoria, Yasmine, Johnny, Curtis and the rest were immediately cornered by the media, who refused to let them leave.


    "Mr. Garcia, can you rify-will the coboration between your twopanies be overseen by Mr. Langford alone, or are both Mr. and Mrs. Langford involved?" "There have been some rumorstely about Ms. Turner and Mr. Langford''s rtionship. Ms. Turner, do you have anyment?"


    "Yes, Ms. Turner! We heard Mr. Langford''sst business trip to Echo City was just with you. Would you care to exin?"


    Reporters could sniff out gossip better than anyone. Business deals were important, sure, but when it came to the personal lives of industry tycoons, their curiosity was insatiable.


    Yasmine immediately stepped forward to address them.


    "Mrs. Langford and Ms. Turner are very close friends-practically best friends. Thatst trip Mr. Langford took with Ms. Turner? It was actually at Mrs. Langford''s suggestion. In fact, Mrs. Langford was there as well."


    The press erupted. Now it all made sense-Victoria''s meteoric rise from executive secretary to vice president in under three months. Some had whispered about her supposed affair with Mr. Langford, others hinted she was Mr. Garcia''s secret lover. All just baseless rumors, it seemed.


    But now, the revtion that Ms. Turner was actually Mrs. Langford''s confidante changed everything. Suddenly, "Ms. Turner is Mrs. Langford''s close friend" became the hottest headline in the room.


    Compared to the initial frenzy that had centered on Violet, it was as if she''d been entirely forgotten. She didn''t even wait for the press conference to end; face dark with frustration, she quietly slipped away with her entourage.


    Meanwhile, in his office, McNeil was watching the livestream intently. This joint game project between The Langford Group and Quantum Core Technologies had his full attention-not least because Victoria had led the tech team that developed it.


    He was genuinely curious. Just what else was his wife-always soposed, the supportive woman working quietly behind the scenes capable of? He''d never underestimated her, but he''d never truly faced off against her either.


    As he watched Victoria''s attorney, Johnny, and that so-called assistant step up to speak on behalf of The Langford Group, McNeil''s expression grew darker. He kept his eyes glued to Victoria''s face throughout the broadcast, barely sparing a nce when the camera cut to Violet, who looked like she was on the verge of falling apart.


    Well then... Victoria had certainly outdone herself.


    After the press conference, Curtis, Victoria, and the entire team gathered at thepany''s restaurant to celebrate. Spirits were high-theunch was a smashing sess, every bit as thrilling as theirst racing game release.


    "Ms. Turner, are you really that close with Mrs. Langford? What''s she like?" someone asked, curiosity piqued.


    "Yeah, Ms. Turner, we''re sorry we ever misunderstood things between you and Mr. Langford. Turns out you and Mrs. Langford are best friends!"


    The room buzzed with chatter.


    "Ms. Turner, can I ask you something? Who''s more attractive—our former Ms. Marchand, or Mrs. Langford?"


    As soon as the question was out, someone else fired back, "That''s easy-Mrs. Langford, hands down. When have you ever seen a wealthy woman who wasn''t beautiful?"


    "Exactly! And judging by today, Ms. Marchand probably thought she''d be representing The Langford Group again. She had no idea Mrs. Langford would swoop in and steal the spotlight."