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.

an expert. This piece was a custom design by Allian, released in an extremely limited run. Even among high society's elite, no

a passion project, something she poured her heart into

had gone to her mother's closest friends—a quiet expression of

pain to Victoria's chest.

someone is gifted, or achieves what others cannot, it's easy to believe they're among the rare few favored by fate-a multi-talented prodigy, blessed beyond

never believed in perfection. She'd been granted talent, yes, but never the happiness of a simple, loving

but hopelessly entangled in the complexities of love. Fate never

life over again, she'd forgo every gift and talent, just to be ordinary-someone who could rest her head in her mother's lap, who could have a

another opens. But for her, fate had thrown open

there was nothing she could

Victoria said politely, accepting the necklace with practiced grace. "Let me

refuse. The fact that she not only liked it

hair and lifting it

her and fastened the necklace with gentle

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

before, but never anyone quite like Victoria-so poised, so

really suits you," he said, finally taking his seat, though he still looked at her with a bemused

met his gaze calmly.

instinctively reached up, her fingers brushing the cool pendant, stirring

his head, smiling wryly. "I just thought someone like you wouldn't accept a gift

be bought at all. He'd pulled every string, paid nearly triple the price, and practically begged until