Chapter 121
The reporters’ camera flashes zeroed in on them.
Violet was strikingly elegant and intelligent, while Gwyneth looked adorable and pretty. The two of them-one a graceful adult, the other a bright-eyed child-were the most dazzling presence in the room.
They sat side by side at the computer.
Gwyneth gazed eagerly at the game on the screen. It was the very one she’d been dreaming about.
As the cursor hovered over the “Start” button, both Gwyneth and Violet clicked at the same time.
The game began, and instantly Gwyneth could feel how smooth and intuitive the controls were. The gameplay was exactly what she’d hoped for.
She’d already grown bored of the racing games her mom had let her try-she’d beaten every level, and none of them had ever felt truly challenging.
“Gwyn, here comes the challenge! Let me help you level up!” Violet winked playfully at Gwyneth.
Gwyneth nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
On the big screen, everyone in the audience-reporters, game developers, and tech industry leaders-could see them clearly.
Oliver couldn’t take his eyes off Violet. There were plenty of celebrities at the launch today, but none of them held his attention the way she did.
No wonder the CEO of The Langford Group had been willing to go against his own family just to marry her. It wasn’t just McNeil who was captivated-even Oliver found his heart skipping a beat as he watched her.
These days, there were plenty of women looking for an easy ride, hoping to find a man to take care of them for life.
But Violet was different. Not only had she landed a billionaire, she also worked incredibly hard herself.
Oliver was jolted from his thoughts when someone bumped his arm.
“What’s this? Got your eye on her?” his friend teased. “That’s Mr. Langford’s girlfriend, you know. Don’t get any ideas.”
Oliver smirked. “He’s not married, and neither is she. She’s just McNeil’s girlfriend, not his wife. Why shouldn’t I think about it?”
Still, he knew that a woman like Violet could only ever be admired from afar. After all, if she couldn’t have children, she’d never fit into high society’s strict expectations.
The round of the game ended, and the room erupted in applause both for the new release and for Violet and little Gwyneth, the pint-sized gamer who had just wowed everyone.
It was obvious Gwyneth played with surprising skill for her age. Whispers rippled through the crowd. Some people couldn’t help but wonder if she spent too much time gaming, and whether a child so young should be this absorbed in video games.
A reporter raised a hand and called out, “Ms. Marchand, is it true that Gwyneth’s parents let her play games all the time? She’s got such impressive skills-surely it takes years to get that good. She looks about five. Is she really spending all her days gaming? What’s your response? And could the developer share the inspiration behind this game?”
In the audience, McNeil clenched his fists, his expression darkening. Victoria had already brought up concerns about Gwyneth playing video games, but the truth was Gwyneth didn’t play very often.
Her high score was pure talent; these reporters were just looking for controversy, maybe even to smear the game.
Curtis, too, looked uneasy.
Violet, however, remained calm. She picked up the microphone and drew Gwyneth to her side.
“Gwyneth is actually my friend’s daughter-yes, you heard that right. Mr. McNeil’s daughter.”
Cameras immediately swung toward McNeil, the flashes popping in rapid succession.
“He believes in making learning fun, and it just so happens that Gwyneth is exceptionally talented when it comes to games. We only let her play on weekends -during the week, she doesn’t touch the computer.”
Then Violet handed the microphone to Gwyneth. “Gwyn, tell everyone: how long did it take you to finish a game like this the last time you played?”