"Mmm…"
Violet had been explaining things to McNeil, her tone confident and authoritative—a real expert. Ailie listened with a cold smirk. She actually had friends in direct contact with the CEO of EmilyTech Solutions, and even they didn't know as much as Violet seemed to.
Only Victoria understood: Violet was doing all this for Allian's sake.
Dinner dragged on for nearly three hours. In the end, Violet was the host, but it was McNeil who picked up the tab.
Ailie couldn't resist a mocking jab.
"Mr. Langford is so thoughtful and generous with our Ms. Marchand. Ms. Marchand really is lucky—unlike Victoria's husband, who doesn't know how to take care of his own wife and is always running off after floozies…"
She didn't care how Violet's face looked behind her—red, white, or purple. She grabbed Victoria and swept her out of the restaurant.
Everyone else was tipsy, barely registering what Ailie had said.
McNeil frowned; Violet was fuming, her body trembling in the dark.
A couple of times, Violet nearly stumbled getting into the car—heels too high, doors too tall—but McNeil caught her just in time, and the two slipped into the back seat together.
Victoria glanced at Ailie as they walked away. "What did you just say to her? Violet looks like she's about to explode."
Victoria was more than a little drunk herself; her head was spinning, and Ailie's expression was stormy, as if she'd cursed Violet out. But like the others, she hadn't caught the actual words.
Ailie put a hand over Victoria's ear. "Don't worry about it. We're decent people—some things are better left unheard. No need to let ugly words taint your heart."
Ailie didn't tell Victoria she'd called Violet a slut. Besides, only Violet had actually heard her—no harm done.
The next morning, as soon as Victoria arrived at the office, someone from the tech department pulled her aside, whispering in her ear.
"They say Ms. Ailie's getting laid off. Victoria, is it true?"
"What?"
Victoria was baffled. Just last night they'd all been eating and drinking together before heading their separate ways. She'd made sure to arrive on time this morning, not wanting to give Violet a chance to snark about her being late. She hadn't heard a thing about layoffs, and Ailie hadn't mentioned it either.
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