Someone in the crowd spoke up.

“Mr. Langford from the Langford Group just arrived.”

Instantly, everyone’s attention shifted away from Simms. Yulia took Victoria’s arm and gently steered her aside.

Seizing the opportunity, Simms slipped away as well, making his way toward McNeil.

“Victoria, are you out of your mind?” Yulia hissed, relieved she’d stopped Victoria from causing any more of a scene.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Victoria replied absently, her gaze fixed on the entrance.

McNeil had arrived with his latest flame, but there was no sign of Gwyneth at his side.

High society parties were little more than shark tanks, and the Langford family’s influence in Starfall City had been unrivaled in recent years. Young as he was, McNeil had already topped the city’s rich list-everyone was eager to curry favor with him.

Yulia blocked Victoria’s path. “Are you even listening to me?”

Victoria barely heard her. She was watching McNeil and the woman beside him— Violet-who wore a striking red evening gown that hugged her curves and emphasized her flawless features.

People in the crowd were already whispering.

“That must be Mr. Langford’s childhood sweetheart. He really dotes on her.”

“Did you see her dress? That’s a Givenchy couture piece from the spring collection. Price tag in the millions, and it’s one of a kind. Money alone can’t buy it.”

“Mr. Langford clearly adores Ms. Marchand. Look at us-same gender, and we can’t even get a guy to buy us coffee, while Violet’s dress is worth more than our apartments.”

“Comparisons are brutal, aren’t they?”

“I heard Thorpe even gave up his own surgery to save her. She’s got everyone wrapped around her finger.”

Victoria ignored their chatter, her eyes scanning past Violet and McNeil, searching

for her daughter. But Gwyneth was nowhere to be seen.

“Victoria, do you realize how hard your father worked to get where he is?

Everything he’s done for the company-”

Yulia’s tone was all reproach, but Victoria finally tore her gaze away.

“And what does that have to do with you?” she shot back, brushing past Yulia and heading straight for McNeil.

Gwyneth wasn’t with him-surely he hadn’t just left her at home alone.

But getting to McNeil was impossible; he and Violet were surrounded by a wall of eager socialites.

Curtis stood nearby as well, and it was obvious that most of tonight’s guests were here for McNeil.

As the group exchanged pleasantries, the conversation naturally turned to Violet. Curtis was quick to sing her praises, publicly endorsing her role in the company. Ailie leaned against the wall, swirling her wine. It was practically unheard of for someone to push a deputy director of venture capital into the spotlight like this.

“Mr. Langford, is it true the Langford Group is interested in electric vehicles?” someone asked. “Will there be more investment in that area?”

Before McNeil could answer, Violet stepped in smoothly. “If you don’t mind, that’s confidential. But anyone interested in working with the Langford Group is welcome to

approach Mr. Langford privately.”

McNeil said nothing, letting Violet take the lead—she might as well have been his official spokesperson.

Another guest chimed in, “Our company is collaborating with Quantum Core Technologies. Mr. Garcia, as an angel investor, would you be interested in considering us?”

Latham, CEO of another tech firm, had his eye on the latest Al

developments from Curtis’s team and was hoping to attract his

investment. With Curtis’s W net

and

connections, Latham knew it would be a game-changer.

Curtis glanced at Violet, who immediately caught on. “Mr. Latham, why don’t you send your proposal to me first? I can help screen it before passing it along.”

While everyone tried to cozy up to McNeil, Violet handled the crowd with effortless poise. The rumor about her being his childhood sweetheart hardly did her

ovel

justice-she already had the

presence of a CEO’s wife.

Even when it came to Quantum Core Technologies, Curtis deferred the

investment decision to Violet.