The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Chapter 240

"Let's talk when I get back."

After ending the call with Gwyneth, McNeil let himself dwell in a brief moment of heaviness before slipping back into his usual cool detachment.

Victoria arrived at the café where she and Marcus had agreed to meet. She'd half expected to see Max there, but to her surprise, Marcus was alone.

She hesitated for a moment, caught off guard.

"Max has a school event today, so he couldn't make it," Marcus explained, noticing her surprise.

Victoria set the gift she'd brought on the table in front of him. "That's a shame. I'd hoped to surprise him for his birthday, but since he's not here, I'll have to rely on you to pass this along."

Marcus glanced at the neatly wrapped box. "You really didn't have to."

From the inner pocket of his jacket, he pulled out a small, elegant box- something that looked unmistakably valuable.

"What's this?" Victoria asked.

"Open it. See if you like it," Marcus replied, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You're giving this to me?" Victoria said, surprised.

She opened the box, and inside lay an exquisite diamond necklace.

run. Even among high society's elite, no one could get their hands on one. Yet here it

was so sure because she'd designed it. Victoria was the founder and chief designer of Allian. It was a passion project, something she poured her heart into during rare

necklace had been released in her late mother's honor, and most of the few available pieces had gone to her mother's closest friends—a quiet expression of gratitude toward the women who had supported her

her mother brought a sharp pain to

When someone is gifted, or achieves what others cannot, it's

Victoria had never believed in perfection. She'd been granted talent, yes, but never the happiness

entangled in the complexities of love.

her life over again, she'd forgo every gift and talent, just to be ordinary-someone who could rest her head

when one door closes, another opens. But for her, fate had thrown open the gates to

there was nothing she could do

beautiful," Victoria said politely, accepting the necklace with practiced

to refuse. The fact that she not only liked it but accepted it

and lifting it off her neck, revealing her slender,

behind her and fastened the necklace with gentle

Victoria seemed almost luminous with the necklace on, as if it'd been made for her. Marcus

but never anyone quite like Victoria-so poised, so

taking his seat, though he still looked at

gaze calmly. "Is

noticed his lingering stare and instinctively reached up, her fingers brushing the cool

his head, smiling wryly. "I just thought someone

on the rare occasion it could be bought at all. He'd pulled every string, paid nearly triple the price, and