The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Stein seemed sincere enough, but because McNeil suspected he was after Victoria, he couldn't help but feel every word out of Stein's mouth was some kind of jab at him.

If this had happened before, McNeil wouldn't just have gone looking for Victoria— he probably would've punched Stein in the face for good measure.

Every time he saw the two of them together, it made him more uncomfortable than if Victoria were with any other man.

Back in Starfall City, he'd been the most sought-after bachelor among all the socialites. Women were never in short supply for him, as long as he wanted them.

At that time, Violet had just returned from abroad, battered and broken. He'd felt guilty toward her, and to make matters worse, Gwyneth liked Violet far more than she ever liked Victoria.

Whatever his motives were back then, the truth was he'd completely ignored Victoria's feelings. Victoria loved him—had loved him for six years, unconditionally, always doing whatever he asked without hesitation.

When The Langford Group hit a crisis and he desperately needed a lifeline, Victoria worked around the clock to pull in new investors for him.

She loved him so much, McNeil came to believe she would tolerate anything.

He thought that even with Violet around, Victoria wouldn't think too much of it. He'd already explained that his relationship with Violet was nothing but gratitude. Besides, Violet had been regularly donating blood for Randy.

He was too confident. He assumed Victoria would shoulder all his burdens without complaint, and stand by him no matter what, even welcoming Violet with open

arms.

He could swear, even when their friends used to tease them about it, he and Violet had never really been together at most, it was just a childish crush, the kind where you never even held hands.

Violet was beautiful and gracious, always knowing just what to say or do. It wasn't only him-most of their friends seemed to have a soft spot for her.

He never quite understood how, in the end, everyone started pairing him and Violet together. Maybe it was simply that none of them were in a relationship, and he'd grown used to Violet's company-the way they joked around, ate together, spent time side by side.

So becoming a couple just happened, so naturally it almost felt inevitable. Curtis Garcia and Marcus Green both egged them on.

McNeil naturally assumed he liked Violet too—until he met Victoria. For the first time, he actually wanted to marry a woman.

He was obsessed with Victoria, body and soul. He wanted kids with her. He even dreamed of growing old together.

It drove him crazy to see his friends showing interest in Victoria. It was like a cat clawing at his heart.

The strangest thing was, Marcus and Curtis were usually so picky they'd never fight over anoveldrama

woman-not even for Violet-but for Victoria, McNeil nearly wanted to cut ties with them altogether.

That's why, when he heard Victoria had come to Evermore City, he dropped everything at the company and came after her without hesitation.

This way, Marcus and Curtis would be out of the picture, and he wouldn't have to see them hanging around.

McNeil was certain that as long as he stayed close to Victoria, Stein wouldn't have a chance to come between them.

Stein had a kid of his own, after all—and McNeil was determined to keep his child close and not let go.

From now on, whatever Victoria wanted or needed, he'd be there first. He'd never let her face things alone again.

Maybe the child wasn't a bargaining

chip, but it was his strongest

support. If Victoria really wanted divorce and still chose to have his child even if she claimed it was just for the money-McNeil believed there had to be a shred of feeling left between them.

Would Stein really accept all three kids only wanting to be close to him? As long as Stein and Victoria

weren't married, he still had chance.

"Mr. Langford, time's up. I really have to go. Take care of your own business-no

one else can help you."