Chapter 348
Violet hurried after him, catching up just as McNeil was about to get into the car.
She leaned in, lips poised for a kiss.
Victoria was already seated inside, glancing their way, but McNeil deftly turned aside, skillfully dodging Violet’s attempt.
Violet’s face flushed with awkwardness, but she still reached out, straightening the lapel of his coat.
“It’s freezing out here. Look at you, not even bothering to button up properly.”
She made a show of intimacy, as if to put on a display for anyone watching—by all appearances, they were a couple in the throes of romance.
Curtis pretended not to notice the scene unfolding between McNeil and Violet; his attention was fixed on Victoria’s reaction instead.
Victoria, however, simply rolled up the back window without a word. Paul, sitting in the driver’s seat, let out an impatient huff.
“C’mon, man, hurry up!”
Then he called over his shoulder to the back, “Victoria, better buckle up. My driving’s not exactly award-winning.”
McNeil took Violet’s hand gently, then let go. His face grew cold.
“This isn’t the time or place,” he said quietly.
A flicker of hurt crossed Violet’s eyes. “You were fine with Curtis driving me home today—did I complain? Now you won’t even let me in the car. You never used to treat me like this. Victoria, she-“
McNeil stepped back, putting distance between them. “It’s late. Curtis will see you home. You’re not a child anymore; take care of yourself.”
With that, he slipped into the back seat. Curtis, meanwhile, was still mulling over what he’d just heard.
Had he misheard, or did Paul just call Victoria “sis-in-law”?
Could it be…?
Was McNeil’s wife here too? The way he acted around Violet definitely felt different now.
So he was deliberately keeping his distance.
Curtis sank into thought, squinting at McNeil’s car as it pulled away. But the tinted windows made it impossible to see what was happening inside.
The business car eased into traffic and disappeared, leaving Violet standing on the curb.
Curtis tapped his horn, snapping her out of her daze.
“Need a ride?” he called.
Violet sniffled, her eyes rimmed red. “Would you mind?”
“Hop in,” Curtis replied, and she climbed into his car.
The next day, word spread like wildfire through the office-Victoria was about to be promoted to Vice President.
She hadn’t expected the news to travel so fast. Meanwhile, Violet didn’t even show up at Quantum Core Technologies; instead, she sent someone to pack up her things from her office and have them shipped to V&S Group.
Ailie was the first to rush over to Victoria, practically bursting with excitement.
“You’re my boss now! I knew my patience would pay off,” she exclaimed, beaming.
The real cause for celebration, though, was Violet’s departure. Nearly everyone in the company was elated. Sure, Violet had helped them rake in some profits, but she’d also made the work environment stifling.
When she left, no one was actually sad-if anything, they just tried to keep their happiness screet.
“The managers have already been talking,” Ailie confided to Victoria. “They’re throwing you a little promotion party.”
Victoria rolled her eyes. “It’s just a promotion. Isn’t that a bit much?”
“You don’t get it-this means a lot to everyone.”
Ailie lingered a few more minutes, chatting animatedly before skipping off, too happy for words.
That afternoon, the company held a staff-wide meeting. Ailie stood at Victoria’s side, proud as could be.
This was the woman she’d recommended-a financial whiz, no, more like a guardian angel for the company.
She remembered a night at the bar with Yasmine, both of them tipsy and giggling over which guys to flirt with, when Ailie had whispered the latest gossip: EmilyTech Solutions’ CEO was eyeing Quantum Core Technologies for investment -twice the original amount. The mere thought made Ailie feel giddy, as if the seven cute guys before her had suddenly multiplied into fourteen.
Bigger investments meant bigger commissions. By year’s end, she could treat herself to a lavish holiday and maybe even live like a high-rolling playboy for a change.
Standing next to Victoria now, Ailie couldn’t wipe the grin off her face.
Curtis led the meeting, opening with the announcement that Violet was leaving Quantum Core Technologies to become President of V&S Group.
As he spoke, the curtains behind him lowered and the projector flickered to life, displaying Violet’s face on the screen.
It turned out her farewell and her induction at V&S Group were happening at the same time.
In other words, Quantum Core Technologies and V&S Group were now sister companies, and Violet’s inauguration as President at V&S was being broadcast live to both companies.
Quantum Core Technologies employees watched the ceremony via livestream. Ailie waited eagerly for Curtis to announce Victoria’s promotion, but instead, Violet’s face filled the screen.
Irritated, Ailie clenched her fists. Around the room, her coworkers murmured their discontent.
So what if V&S Group was their sister company? Violet’s appointment was their business-why drag Quantum Core Technologies into it?
People always say that when someone leaves, they’re quickly forgotten. While Violet had been their boss, everyone had put up with her, some out of respect, most out of fear.
Now that she was gone, no longer their direct manager, the prevailing mood was one of thinly veiled impatience and disdain.
Ailie nudged Victoria. “I’m going to the restroom,” she whispered.
She had no intention of watching Violet’s smug face on screen, acting as if she was some big deal.
The truth was, Violet hadn’t brought in much investment. Most of the company’s funding came from Victoria’s contacts.
Violet’s only real backing was McNeil; beyond that, what did she have? She was like a homeroom teacher prepping her class for finals-lacking the skills to get anyone into an Ivy League school, just relying on sheer persistence.
And even if anyone did make it, it was with a fair amount of grumbling behind her back.