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.

limited run. Even among high society's elite, no one could get their hands on one. Yet here it was, right before her, courtesy of

of Allian. It was a passion project, something she poured her heart into during rare moments of leisure, but never her main pursuit. As a result,

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 Victoria's chest. Her stomach

achieves what others cannot, it's easy to believe

granted talent, yes, but

in

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

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

was nothing she

said politely, accepting the necklace with practiced grace. "Let me help you put it on,"

only liked it but accepted it so matter-of-factly left him momentarily

gathering her hair and lifting it off her neck, revealing her slender, graceful

fastened the necklace

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

but never

suits you," he said, finally taking his seat, though he

his gaze calmly.

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

thought someone like

occasion it could be bought at all. He'd pulled every string, paid nearly triple the price, and practically begged until someone finally agreed to