Victoria sat with a calm composure, her striking dark eyes betraying nothing.

She understood exactly what McNeil meant-he’d been threatening her ever since they boarded the plane.

Once upon a time, the Turner family’s wealth could rival royalty, but after her grandfather’s death, everything crumbled. Helping McNeil had been as much for herself as for him.

The reason Victoria had risked everything to push McNeil into the CEO position at The Langford Group was simple: she hoped, in return, he could help her wrest back control of the Turner family from Simms Miller.

But now, looking back, the idea felt almost laughable.

“McNeil, do you really think all I care about is a life of luxury?”

She’d never cared for that fleeting, illusory wealth. She’d been born into privilege,

a debutante with a silver spoon, the darling of high society.

But with the Turner family’s downfall, she’d seen the true, ugly faces of those who once called themselves family.

And now Violet was back.

McNeil’s relentless, self-serving ambition left her cold. It had finally taught her the hard truth: relying on others was a fool’s game.

McNeil smirked. “I know I married a capable woman-not some pampered princess obsessed with champagne galas.”

When Victoria ignored him, he simply reached over and took her hand. She tried to pull away, but his grip was unyielding.

“We’re about to meet your dear brother,” McNeil went on. “It’s been ages aren’t you the least bit curious? What do you think he’ll make of seeing the two of us together? Will he remember how fickle you can be, or how you never could make up your mind? Did you tell him we’re already filing for divorce? The moment the papers are signed, what’s the plan? Run off and get married? The V&S Group- that was his gift to you, wasn’t it? Too bad he’s with The Langford Group now.”

Victoria had no interest in his endless monologue. She met every word with silence.

McNeil scoffed. “I already gave your brother a heads-up that you’d be coming today. Didn’t he mention it?”

Stein hadn’t called to ask about any of this-because, frankly, there was no need.

If not for this contract signing between McNeil and Stein, she probably wouldn’t have found the time to visit her brother in Evermore City at all.

Maybe, in a twisted way, she ought to thank McNeil for dragging her along.

With three hours left to Evermore City, Victoria sat beside McNeil, unwilling to say another word. Instead, she closed her eyes and let herself drift into a light nap.

When she opened her eyes again, someone had draped a thin blanket over her. McNeil sat beside her, eyes closed, breathing steady and deep.

He really was good-looking, with long, dark lashes casting shadows on his cheeks each time he exhaled. His tailored white shirt hugged a body sculpted by years of training—masculine, strong, and undeniably commanding.

Back then, it was that very charm that drew Victoria to him at first sight. Even knowing he loved someone else, even during their worst arguments, she’d seized the moment and married him.

She’d known he didn’t love her-maybe he only wanted her for her connections and skills-but still, she’d gone all in.

Now, after so many wounds, Victoria was finally awake.

“Have you stared enough?”

McNeil hadn’t opened his eyes, but his words cut through the silence. Victoria turned her face away.

This man was always cunning, always unpredictable. But she was used to it now.

McNeil slowly opened his eyes, glancing at the sky outside the plane window- blue, streaked with clouds.

They were almost at Evermore City, and even in his sleep, McNeil had kept hold of her hand.

“I’m going to the restroom,” Victoria said, finally finding her chance to free herself. McNeil glanced coolly at her flushed cheeks.

“Alright. Get ready-we’ll be landing soon.”

“I know,” she replied.

She was about to see her brother again. Despite everything, she felt a flutter of happiness.

As she walked away, McNeil’s gaze darkened noticeably.

Had Victoria really not been in touch with Stein?

Violet couldn’t get through, so McNeil’s call had reached the house line at the Langford estate.

Gwyneth answered-she was home alone, and Victoria’s voice was nowhere to be heard in the background.

“Gwyn, let your aunt know—is it just you at home?” Violet asked gently.

She hadn’t been able to reach McNeil all morning, and when she called Quantum Core Technologies to find Victoria, they told her Victoria wasn’t in.

Given how often McNeil and Victoria had been seeing each other lately, Violet couldn’t help but wonder if the two of them were sneaking off behind her back.

Gwyneth was delighted to hear Violet’s voice; it had been a while since they’d spent time together.

She missed Violet, and had even set aside a pile of gifts to give her. But her dad never let her visit.

“Yeah, Dad and Mom both left-it’s just me here,” Gwyneth replied honestly. Violet felt a pang of unease.

“Did they say where they were going? When they’d be back? Are they at work?”

Gwyneth answered without hesitation. “No idea. The driver’s taking me to visit Grandpa soon—I’ll be there for about a week. Dad and Mom said they’d be gone a long time.”

Then, hopefully, Gwyneth said, “Violet, it’s been ages since we saw each other. Won’t you come visit me while I’m at Grandpa’s? Or maybe I could stay with you for a week? I really want to play racing games with you again.”