A month passed, and Victoria''s belly had grown noticeably rounder.


    McNeil took it upon himself to cook for her, preparing every meal with care and never missing a beat. Three times a day, her food was delivered right to her side.


    Despite his efforts, Victoria remained distant. Any time McNeil tried to show even a hint of friendliness, she''d immediately pull away, putting clear space between them.


    McNeil noticed. He respected the invisible boundary Victoria had drawn, never daring to cross it.


    From Ailie, Victoria heard that Violet was back at V&S Group, once again running the show.


    Before selling V&S Group, Victoria had already secured severalrge contracts, and over the past month, almost all of them hade through.


    V&S Group was taking off at lightning speed. Ailie saw it happening and couldn''t help but worry.


    She called Victoria from the break room, coffee in hand. "If you don''t get back here soon, V&S Group will really end up belonging to Violet."


    Victoria smiled faintly. "I won''t be able to make it back to Starfall City for a while, not until after the baby''s born. If all the projects go through as nned, I''ll have the head of thepany there send me regr reports. Don''t worry about V&S Group-Violet can''t take it from me."


    After all, Violet had been helping out for a solid month. Victoria had also finally found the right person for the job. As scatterbrained as Ailie could be in everyday life, when it came to work, she was as sharp and reliable as they came.


    Ailie perked up, excitement clear in her voice. "So, what''s your n?"


    "I''m going to find a new CEO for V&S Group-someone to take Violet''s ce." Ailie practically whooped with excitement. "I''m all for it!"


    Victoria lounged back on her chaise, gazing out at the Echo City night skyline- something she never tired of.


    "I''ve thought about it for a long time," she said. "I want you to take over as CEO." Ailie nearly choked on her coffee. "Wait, did I hear you right? Me? No way! I''d run thepany into the ground. Absolutely not!"


    She waved her hands in protest, nearly spilling her drink. She was happy to be Victoria''s right hand, but taking the lead? That was another matter. She knew her own limits.


    Victoria''s smile grew. "What are you so afraid of? With me backing you up, you''ll have ess to all of the Langford family''s resources in Starfall City. I''ll be able manage things remotely, and if you run into


    anything tricky, juste to me. Besides, you''ve worked with


    Yasmine more than once, and you''ve handled Violet without breaking a sweat. If you can help me manage thepany in a crisis, why not run it day-to-day?"


    Ailie didn''t know whether tough or cry. With Victoria, it was always hard to tell if she was being scolded or praised.


    "Helping you deal with Violet was one thing-two against one, fighting the good


    fight. That''s not the same as running the wholepany!"


    She was a department manager, not the one to carry apany on her


    shoulders. This felt like being tossed into the deep end.


    Victoria''s lips twitched in amusement. "Don''t be so modest. After I left, Mr. Garcia already suggested you for vice president, but you turned him down, right? know I''m right. Last month, he told me he''s moving thepany to Evermore City. I assume you''ve heard? Quantum Core Technologies was never meant to be your permanent home."


    Ailie had, in fact, heard the rumors that Curtis might relocate, though she hadn''t known where. But if Victoria said it, it must be true.


    "You know I''m just not cut out for big responsibilities. Being a department manager is already a win for me."


    Truthfully, Ailie just didn''t like Curtis. Maybe it was because he was friends with McNeil-she''d never liked the idea of helping him out.


    Victoria didn''t miss a beat. "The CEO''s base sry is three hundred and fifty grand, plus bonuses. Are you sure you want to pass that up?"


    Ailie froze, coffee cup halfway to her lips. Her eyes widened. "How much did you say?"


    "Three hundred and fifty thousand. If you really don''t want it, I''ll give it to someone else."


    Ailie set her cup down, momentarily stunned.


    "You know I''m the most responsible


    person you''ll ever meet. I work harder than anyone-plus, I love money. And you know I''m loyal to a fault. You couldn''t ask for a better CEO. At the very least, you know I''ll never steal from you. Or steal your man."


    Victoria chuckled. "Alright, alright. I trust you."


    Ailie tried to tamp down her excitement and asked quietly, "Are you serious?


    Three hundred and fifty grand? I won''t be expected to, you know, do


    anything..promising, will I?"


    Victoria couldn''t help butugh. “It''s a techpany, not a burlesque club. We


    make money with our brains, not our bodies."


    Ailie nodded eagerly. "Don''t worry, boss. I won''t let you down."