Yasmine was left speechless.
"But Ms. Turner…"
Victoria's patience was running thin. "Let's drop this for now. Don't bring it up to me again."
Giving up on V&S Group would be the same as handing herself, her brother, and Osborn over to McNeil on a silver platter. She wasn't that naive.
"Understood, Ms. Turner."
Yasmine focused on driving, her eyes flicking to the rearview mirror where Victoria was answering a call from McNeil.
"We'll pick up Gwyn together this afternoon," McNeil's voice came through, deep and gentle. "It's been ages since the three of us sat down for a family dinner."
He sounded just like he had the first time Victoria met him—polite, saying her name with that easy confidence. Even back then, just hearing his voice had been dangerously seductive.
"Fine."
Victoria's answer was clipped, almost through gritted teeth. The call ended soon after.
That afternoon, when it was time to pick up Gwyneth, McNeil never showed. Victoria hadn't been surprised; she'd suspected he was just talking for the sake of it. So she brought Gwyneth home herself. While Gwyneth sat at the kitchen table working on her homework, Victoria lingered nearby, helping when needed.
It almost felt like old times—but only Victoria understood deep down that things could never go back to the way they were.
As six o'clock approached, the low growl of a sports car engine echoed in the driveway.
McNeil was home. Victoria kept her attention on her daughter's homework, refusing to be distracted by his arrival.
But Gwyneth's ears perked up at the sound. She immediately dropped her pencil and dashed downstairs.
Victoria followed, though there was no longer that chilly indifference she used to radiate around McNeil. She needed something from him now, but she was careful not to appear desperate.
She knew exactly how McNeil operated; the moment he sensed she was at his mercy, he'd only push harder to make her yield.
Stepping into the foyer, Victoria saw him standing there—a black shirt hanging loose, the top buttons undone, hair slightly mussed. He looked nothing like his usual meticulous self.
Their eyes met. McNeil's gaze lingered on her, playful and a little insolent, a crooked smile on his lips.
Victoria ignored him. Gwyneth ran straight into his arms, immediately spotting the new plush toy in his hand.
"Daddy, did you get this for me?"
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