Chapter 125
Why is it single-player only? I can’t even play online, and it’s not nearly as fun as the one I tried out with Violet this afternoon.
Is this really the awesome new game Mom promised would make me happy?
Gwyneth felt a wave of disappointment wash over her.
Noticing Gwyneth’s sour mood, Xenia walked over with a look of concern.
“Miss Gwyneth, is something wrong?”
“It’s no fun at all. Are you sure Mom picked this out for me?”
Xenia honestly had no idea, but this was definitely what Mrs. Evans had instructed.
“Maybe you should call and ask her?” Xenia suggested.
Immediately, Gwyneth tapped her smartwatch and dialed Victoria.
Victoria was at the office, watching a video of that morning’s game launch event. Just as Ailie came to check on her, she realized Victoria already knew everything. Ailie felt a pang of regret, wanting to comfort her, but then Gwyneth’s call came through.
On the screen, the launch event was in full swing, with McNeil, Violet, and Gwyneth acting like the picture-perfect family. Only then did Victoria understand why she hadn’t seen her daughter at home earlier.
“Mom, is this lame game really what you got me? It’s not even fun!” Gwyneth complained, her voice laced with accusation. She’d even called the game Victoria had designed “lame.” Victoria’s face fell, a flicker of pain crossing her features as she tore her gaze from the trio on screen. Gwyneth’s words hit her like a punch to the gut.
“You played the online version, didn’t you?” Victoria asked, cutting straight to the point.
Gwyneth was silent for a moment, guilt coloring her expression. It was true-she’d played the online demo with Violet that morning.
“This is just the single-player version. I wanted you to try it out and see what you thought. When the online version is ready, you can be one of the first to test it. I wrote this game myself. If there’s anything you don’t like, just tell me and I’ll fix it,” Victoria said gently.
Gwyneth’s lips curled into a pout.
“Mom, you’re such a liar. Ms. Marchand wrote this game, not you.”
As soon as she said it, Gwyneth realized she’d slipped-she’d accidentally let it slip that she’d been out with Ms. Marchand. Now Mom would know and start another argument with Dad.
Just a moment ago, Violet and Dad had promised to throw her a birthday party. Now Mom knew everything.
Panic flashed across Gwyneth’s face. She stammered, “Uh-Mom, I have to go study this afternoon. I’ll talk to you later, bye!”
She hung up and bolted out the door, desperate to escape before Victoria could come after her.
If Victoria caught her, she wouldn’t be allowed to leave the house and neither would Dad. Their birthday party plans would be ruined. Mom always found a way to stop them, and Gwyneth had had enough of her interference.
Victoria listened to the dead line, then slowly looked up at Ailie. “What were you saying?”
At noon, Curtis had chosen a cozy little bistro and invited Victoria to lunch, making sure to include Ailie.
Every time, Curtis picked somewhere with a romantic vibe.
But it never seemed to make a difference.
Ailie had dutifully come along, oblivious to Curtis’s hints.
He was at his wit’s end.
“Victoria, there’s something I need to explain,” Curtis began.
Ailie sat across from Victoria, glaring daggers at Curtis, making him visibly uncomfortable.
Victoria gave a faint, resigned smile. “You mean the game launch? It’s really not that big of a deal-”
“Not that big of a deal? You wrote the entire code, and Violet didn’t just borrow it— she outright stole it! Mr. Garcia, that’s theft. Is there any legal recourse here? Can we call the police?” Ailie’s nails nearly scratched grooves into the tabletop.
Curtis looked troubled. “Ms. Marchand has McNeil-the CEO of the Langford Group-backing her. Victoria, I hope you understand what we’re up against.”