Marcus took a calm sip of his whiskey.


    “Help? Help with what? You want me to jump in and help Curtis beat up McNeil? Please. I''m not getting my hands dirty over this."


    Isaac stared at him, speechless.


    "No one''s asking you to throw punches. Just break them up. We''re supposed to be friends, aren''t we? Whatever happened to just talking things out? What could possibly be worth a fight?"


    "When we were in school, all three of you liked Violet, but I don''t remember you ever beating each other to a pulp over her."


    Marcus''s expression turned icy. "That was different. This time, he''s asking for it. Curtis, if you get tired, let me take a turn."


    By the time Violet arrived, the private lounge was already in chaos. Curtis showed no signs of stopping, while McNeil''s eyebrow was split and bleeding. Violet was so shocked she ran straight over, trying to shield McNeil.


    He shoved her aside without a second thought.


    "What the hell are you doing?" Violet cried. "I had to ask the housekeeper to find out where you''d all gone. I figured you''d end up at a bar, but it''s not even midnight and you''re already wasted and brawling. Why?"


    McNeil, breathing hard, snapped, "Stay out of it. This has nothing to do with you."


    He looked at Isaac. "Get her out of here."


    If Curtis wanted to beat him to a pulp, so be it.


    Curtis red. "Don''t act innocent, McNeil. Do you remember how you treated Victoria when she worked at mypany? I decided back then that if I ever met her husband, I''d punch him just to get some justice for her. Funny thing is, her jerk of a husband turned out to be you. Real nice."


    Violet blocked Curtis, desperate to stop him. "Curtis, are you insane? You know McNeil never loved her. All of you know that!"


    She was crying now, and for the first time, McNeil looked straight at her, his eyes dark and furious.


    "When did I ever tell you I didn''t love Victoria? What are you, a mind reader? Get out. Get as far away from me as you can. I don''t want to see you."


    Violet froze, stunned for just a moment, then broke down sobbing.


    "McNeil, I know you''re doing this for Gwyn. I get it, I really do. I don''t me you. I''ve been waiting by your side all this time... Whenever you want to settle down, I''ll be here."


    Curtisnded onest punch on McNeil. "Marriage, huh? Well, cheers to that. Here''s to a long and happy life together."


    Violet shrieked, "Curtis, what the hell is wrong with you?"


    Marcus''s voice was colder than ever. "There''s nothing wrong with him. He''s just in love with Victoria."


    Violet let out a bitter, mockingugh.


    "In love with Victoria? That woman''s the biggest hypocrite I''ve ever met. Maniptive and calcting. Why else would McNeil marry her if he never loved her?"


    She turned on Curtis. "Wake up, Curtis. Don''t let her fool you. She''s been seeing another man behind McNeil''s back for ages—someone you all know. Mr. Campbell, from Evermore City."


    Curtis and Marcus both froze. Isaac just looked more bewildered by the second.


    "You''re all tangled up in some twisted love polygon. And you call me a yer? You guys are on another level."


    Marcus replied tly, "I don''t buy it. Victoria isn''t the type to two-time anyone."


    Violet red at them, defiant. "Not the type? Then why does Curtis like her, and why did she run off with Campbell?"


    Curtis said quietly, "You said it yourself—I like her. Doesn''t mean she likes me back."


    Marcus remained firm. "No. There''s nothing going on between her and Mr. Campbell."


    Violet let out a frustrated, incredulousugh.


    "And what makes you so sure? What do you really know about her?"


    Isaac suddenly fixed them all with a wide-eyed stare. "Oh my god... You three all fell for the same woman..."