"Why on earth do I need to tell you about McNeil and me? Unless you''re glued to McNeil and Victoria twenty-four hours a day, how would you even know that sort


    of thing?"


    Violet was so flustered that she started rambling, and the amused smile on Ailie''s face only deepened.


    "That''s right. I know even the things you don''t, and you call yourself his wife? Funny-you don''t seem to know McNeil''s needs as well as I do, and I''m not even part of the family."


    Their exchange was so explosive that the senior executives in the room shifted ufortably in their seats, awkwardness written all over their faces.


    No one knew whether they should stay or make a discreet exit, but this was, after all, an official meeting-the handover between the current CEO and the former one. No one dared to leave.


    Violet''s face turned an ugly shade of green. For a moment, she was so furious that she forgot what she''d meant to say.


    Yasmine, ever the peacemaker, leaned in and whispered, "Ms. Ailie, maybe we could get back to business?"


    Ailie snapped back to the moment and looked at Violet''s multicolored expression with barely concealed satisfaction. It was almost a shame Victoria wasn''t here to see it.


    "All right, Ms. Marchand. You''re Mrs. Langford now-why are you still clinging to a smallpany like V&S Group? Honestly, our little firm can''t amodate someone as important as you."


    "Of course, we won''t shortchange you for your remaining time. The CEO sry is, what, about fifteen grand a month? That seems fair."


    Ailie''s words nearly made Violet pass out with rage, but she still managed to grit her teeth and counter.


    "I always thought you and Victoria were practically sisters, but when ites to money, you''re just as cheap as ever."


    "A CEO at V&S Group making only fifteen thousand a month? Even our mid-level managers earn more than that. What a joke. Honestly, Victoria couldn''t embarrass herself more."


    Ailie regarded Violet with azy, almost bored look. "Don''t tter yourself that''s not my sry. I was


    talking about you. Honestly, wine


    your so-called ''business


    skills always relying on your connections and ying up your charm-fifteen grand is already generous."


    "As for me, now that I''ve taken over, whatever Victoria pays me is confidential. But


    I can assure you, it''s a number you couldn''t even imagine."


    Yasmine quickly looked down, suppressing augh.


    Ailie checked her watch. "Sorry, Ms. Marchand. We really should get back to the meeting. Maybe now''s a good time for you to gather your things and make a graceful exit."


    "If you don''t have a car waiting, I can call you a ride. Want me to send you home to your husband? Oh, and one more thing-I almost forgot."


    "Your husband isn''t even in Starfall City right now, is he? Can''t find him anywhere, can you? Honestly, he''s hardly setting a good example-leaving a beautiful wife like you home alone while he spends all his time shadowing Victoria."


    "Victoria asked me to let you know it''s time you came and picked up your dog. He''s been hanging around her ce, cooking for her. Victoria''s too polite to tell him to leave, but I remember you''re not exactly shy about these things. You had no problem going toe-to-toe with the ''main wife'' back when you were the other woman."


    "Now that your husband''s acting out, maybe you should bring a leash next time and drag him back home."


    Finally, Violet got the answer she wanted about McNeil''s whereabouts. No wonder she hadn''t seen him in ages-he''d gone to Victoria.


    She''d nned to devote herself to taking V&S Group to new heights, to show McNeil her true capabilities. And now...


    He''d run off to Victoria?


    "Keep your sry-I''m not interested in pocket change. The fact that you, someone who could only ever make middle management at Quantum Core Technologies, got the CEO job


    here? Victoria must really be Job


    desperate topete with me for a man-she''d hire anyone."