Chapter 158
Ailie didn’t catch the hidden meaning in Violet’s words.
But Victoria, who’d been married, understood instantly.
Violet’s comment was a blatant provocation-a not-so-subtle way of letting Victoria know that she, too, had been intimate with McNeil in the car.
Victoria had to admit, the blow landed harder than she expected.
Her lips went pale, and she trembled ever so slightly.
Curtis, standing beside her, noticed right away and reached out to steady her.
“Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?”
Violet glanced at Victoria, her expression unreadable.
“To be fair, today’s full day of hiking and camping is no joke. It takes real stamina. Ms. Turner, if you’re used to an easy life, I doubt you’ll make it to the end.”
Then she turned her gaze to Curtis.
“Mr. Garcia, we’re all here for the team-building, but if Ms. Turner can’t keep up, maybe you should arrange for a car to take her back to the city.”
Echo Mountain was nearly a three-hour drive from downtown, and the company had arranged one van for every seven employees.
If Victoria left, it would tie up a whole van and a driver for the return trip-and with the bumpy, winding road up the mountain, no one would be thrilled about it.
McNeil certainly wouldn’t be the one to escort her back.
If Curtis really did send Victoria away, she’d be the talk of the company by tomorrow-mocked and ridiculed even more.
Everyone already suspected Curtis had a thing for her, despite her being married. If she got special treatment today, she’d have no peace at work tomorrow.
“No need,” Victoria said quietly. “I’ll stick with the group.”
Violet had planned this whole camping trip, and McNeil had even rented out the entire mountain. Other than the Quantum Core Technologies crew, there wouldn’t be another soul in sight.
Curtis jumped in to help set up the tents, and soon Jack, George, Maisie, and the rest of the team gathered around to lend a hand.
Violet leaned against McNeil, making no move to help.
Just then, a staffer in a utility vest approached Violet.
“Ms. Marchand, the videographer’s ready. Please check these settings-if anything’s off, he can adjust them for you.”
Off to the side, Ailie was gathering firewood. When Victoria tried to join in, Curtis quickly stopped her.
“Let us guys handle the heavy lifting. You just jumped down from that rock-I’m not sure your ankle’s okay. Take a break, will you?”
Before Victoria could protest, Curtis took the wood from her hands. Ailie bumped Victoria’s shoulder with a grin.
“See what I mean? Mr. Garcia’s way more thoughtful than McNeil Langford. He actually cares.”
Victoria smiled faintly. “If you like that type, why don’t you go for him yourself?” Ailie’s face turned bright red.
“Oh, come on! I’m being serious and you’re teasing me? I don’t want some bootlicker who spends all day brown-nosing his friends.”
Victoria just gave her a look, amused. Ailie had just praised Curtis, and now she was already backtracking.
Victoria wandered over to where the other women were, pitching in with lighter tasks.
Everyone was busy prepping lunch, except for Violet-who, still with McNeil at her side, posed for photos with the mountain view behind her.
“I heard the radio station’s filming a reality segment for Ms. Marchand, hyping her
up for her upcoming competition,” someone murmured.
Ailie sat next to Jack, smoke curling up from the grill as Victoria sprinkled on seasonings.
“Wow, Ms. Marchand really is the perfect woman,” George said, watching Violet with open admiration. “Too bad she’s dating Mr. Langford. If she were single, I’d be lining up.”
Ailie tossed more wood onto the fire. “So that’s why she dragged us out to the middle of nowhere just so we could be her extras on her little reality show. Figures.”
After the photographer finished shooting Violet on the hilltop, he caught sight of the roaring fire and the group barbecuing. He waved Violet over.
“Ms. Marchand, let’s get a few more shots by the grill.”