Chapter 371
“Mr. Garcia, I’m Johnny, legal counsel for Mrs. Langford. This is Miss Yasmine,
Mrs. Langford’s assistant. Today’s the joint game launch for Vertex Dynamics and Quantum Core Technologies. Mr. Langford couldn’t make it, so Mrs. Langford sent us to represent them both at the event.”
Curtis’s mind raced, turning Johnny’s words over and over. Seeing Violet here was one thing, but what Johnny just said made everything all the more bewildering.
Violet instantly grasped the significance of Johnny’s arrival. Her eyes darted to Victoria, her usually composed face twisting in disbelief.
“Victoria, have you lost your mind…?”
She never imagined that the event meant to give her the spotlight in front of the media and the whole of Starfall City would take such a turn.
Victoria’s expression remained cool and distant, giving Violet’s outburst no acknowledgment.
Curtis, meanwhile, was still fixated on the words “Mrs. Langford” that Johnny had uttered, barely noticing the tension crackling between Violet and Victoria.
“Mrs. Langford’s orders…?” Curtis repeated the words under his breath, chewing them over.
The media picked up on every word.
“Mrs. Langford? Mr. Langford is married?”
“Wasn’t this supposed to be a simple game launch? Where did Mrs. Langford come from all of a sudden?”
Violet and her entourage stood frozen, as if their shoes had been nailed to the floor.
Yasmine turned to Violet. “Excuse me, could you please make way?”
Violet glared back. “That’s impossible. McNeil would never let his wife represent Vertex Dynamics…”
Yasmine met her gaze coolly. “And you are? Mr. and Mrs. Langford have always been inseparable. The Langford Group was founded by both of them, side by side. I’m here on Mrs. Langford’s behalf—and on behalf of both of them. With legal representation present, I’d suggest you be careful with your words; we reserve the right to take legal action against any inappropriate remarks.” Victoria’s eyes swept over Violet with a hint of disdain. Violet saw it, but didn’t dare react.
Only Violet knew the truth: Victoria was Mrs. Langford. Sitting front and center, Victoria watched the commotion unfold as if none of it concerned her, not uttering a word.
She was Mrs. Langford, but had sent her lawyer and assistant to make a show of authority. Victoria hadn’t revealed her identity, and Violet dared not expose her.
A sudden, burning humiliation washed over Violet. She felt like she’d been played for a fool; her cheeks flushed bright red.
Her staff, clueless about what was truly happening, grew impatient and shot frustrated looks at Victoria.
“Could you let Ms. Marchand have her seat, please?” one of them said.
Victoria rose slowly, stepping aside from her seat.
Violet’s current assistant and secretary moved to guide her forward, but two security guards blocked Violet and her group from getting any closer.
Yasmine and Johnny took the seats beside Victoria, with a nameplate reading “Vertex Dynamics” in front of Yasmine.
Victoria turned to Violet. “Sorry, Ms. Marchand. It’s a busy day. Mr. Garcia, please see to it that Ms. Marchand is shown to a seat in the audience. She’s a guest, after all.”
Curtis thought her words made sense, yet something felt off.
Violet was pale as paper, and the media’s attention was fixed solely on her. If she
stormed out now, she’d only become more of a spectacle.
With The Langford Group’s veil of glamour gone, the tabloid cameras swung immediately to Yasmine and Johnny.
This was a bombshell.
The current Mrs. Langford’s assistant and attorney, and now it turned out McNeil
was married? Tomorrow’s headlines would write themselves.
“If Mr. Langford has a wife, then what about Ms. Marchand?”
“No way. The girlfriend everyone’s known about for years is suddenly the third wheel?”
“Is Mrs. Langford some kind of phantom? McNeil’s paraded other women around for years and she’s never once appeared.”
“Maybe she’s old money-too dignified to bother with people beneath her. Look, she’s finally stepping out for this huge partnership between The Langford Group and Quantum Core Technologies.”
“Mrs. Langford’s a complete mystery. Does anyone even know what she looks like, or who she really is?”
“See? The mistress is always just a mistress. When it matters, the real wife takes the stage. Look at Ms. Marchand crawling out here just to carry Mrs. Langford’s train-ha!”
Standing beside Victoria, Violet was so furious she could have coughed up blood, but she didn’t dare say a word.
“Victoria, I never knew you could be this ruthless,” she hissed, voice trembling.
Victoria’s eyes narrowed, her tone edged with cool amusement. “You’re too kind, Ms. Marchand. I’m nothing compared to your own talents. Now, it’s getting late— take your seat. The press conference is about to begin, and this one’s being livestreamed.”
Violet was so angry she felt dizzy. Her assistant tried to steady her, but she shook her off. “I’m fine.”
Lifting her chin, she forced herself to walk with dignity to the seat Victoria had indicated earlier.
Curtis had no time to worry about Violet; he still couldn’t make sense of whatever game McNeil was playing.
On stage, the official launch event began. Flashbulbs popped and cameras turned, all aimed at Victoria and her group.
The day was supposed to be Violet’s time to shine, but now she’d been relegated to an obscure corner, completely ignored by the press.
Now, everyone’s curiosity was fixed on the mysterious Mrs. Langford. Curtis and Victoria took turns speaking, with George and the other developers offering technical insights about the game.
When it came time for The Langford Group’s remarks, Yasmine-Mrs. Langford’s assistant-delivered her speech with practiced confidence, reciting every point Victoria had meticulously drilled into her.
Every word radiated the authority of The Langford Group. Yasmine laid out a comprehensive analysis of the game’s prospects and the unique strengths of the partnership with Quantum Core Technologies.
Even the most seasoned reporters could sense that Mrs. Langford—though never seen-was a formidable businesswoman. The entire room was left in awe.
Victoria sat quietly, listening to Yasmine’s address, while down in the audience, Violet’s face was as white as a sheet…