Yasmine nearly lost her temper when she heard what Ailie said.


    "Violet is a damn idiot! She''s such a... (insert a thousand expletives here, use your imagination)."


    Ailie was cursing up a storm on the phone.


    "Ms. Ailie, I know Ms. Turner''s temper. She''d never stoop to the level of a mangy dog. But I just can''t let this go. I was hoping you could help me out."


    Ailie was still fuming.


    "Don''t be so formal, honey. If you have any brilliant ideas for making that wretched woman cry, just say the word. She''s getting married? Well, I''d be letting our Vicky down if I didn''t send Violet a wedding gift she''ll never forget..."


    Yasmine and Ailie spent the next half hour plotting over the phone. It waste into the night before they finally hung up.


    Meanwhile, Victoria, fast asleep, had no idea that in the time she''d been


    dreaming, two women were already conspiring to unleash chaos that would be impossible to contain.


    Starfall City


    Violet satfortably on the plush couch in Simms and Yulia Morris''s new home, sipping the rich coffee their housekeeper had brewed just for her.


    She slid a thick contract across the coffee table toward Simms.


    "Uncle, this is what you asked for. I spoke to McNeil, and he immediately had his assistant draw it up. If there''s anyone else you want to work with, as long as McNeil can make it happen, he''ll do his best for you."


    Simms handed the contract to Yulia. "Put this in the safe, would you? I have to say, Violet, you''re really quite capable. Far morepetent than my own useless daughter."


    Even as he praised Violet, he couldn''t resist taking a jab at Victoria.


    Violet''s tone was mild. "Victoria was just out of her depth. Honestly, if she''d stepped aside earlier, she wouldn''t have had to run off to Evermore City to avoid us. It''s a shame. This is where she was born and raised-I never wanted her to feel like she had to leave.


    Uncle, if you see Victoria, would you please pass along a message? I''d be very happy if she came to my wedding with McNeil. After all, we''re family."


    She''d texted Victoria yesterday, but never got a reply. Today, curiosity got the better of her and she tried calling, only to find her number had likely been blocked.


    "Don''t bother with her. She''s just like her mother," Simms scoffed.


    Violet shook her head. "Uncle, that''s not fair. Without a mother to guide her, Victoria was bound to make mistakes. Now that she and McNeil are divorced, at least she finally sees things clearly.


    I don''t me her foring between me and McNeil all these years. Honestly, if it hadn''t been for her, I might never have realized how much McNeil was willing to do for me.


    Besides bringing you this contract, I actually have some good news to share. Next Saturday, McNeil and I will be having a grand wedding at thergest five-star hotel in Starfall City.


    You and Aunt Yulia are my only family. I''d love for you both to be there and witness my happiness."


    Yulia was overjoyed, while Simms tried to y it cool-though the flush in his cheeks gave him away.


    "Really? McNeil proposed? When did this happen? Did he get you a ring? My God, Violet, this is huge news! Why are we only hearing about it now?"


    Violet felt a twinge of awkwardness. The truth was, McNeil had never actually proposed.


    Ever since he agreed to the wedding, she''d been handling everything herself-the guest list, the arrangements, all of it. When she showed McNeil the details, his only response was, "Whatever makes you happy."


    Of course, she wasn''t about to admit any of that to Simms and Yulia.


    "McNeil doesn''t want the news getting out just yet. He''s worried the media will


    make a circus out of it. He wants it to be a surprise for everyone on the big day. Whatever he wants, I support. I always listen to him."