NovelUpdateChapter 226 After Curtis arrived, it turned out that everyone was far more interested in gossiping about McNeil and Violet than discussing technical matters.
"If you're so curious, why not just ask Mr. Langford yourself?" someone joked.
Curtis had always assumed McNeil's team would be all business, but the way they dove into office rumors rivaled anything he'd seen at Quantum Core Technologies. He couldn't help but chuckle, glancing over at Victoria-only to find her looking withdrawn, her usual spark dimmed.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe morning passed with tours around Vertex Dynamics. At noon, Curtis gathered the entire group for lunch in the company cafeteria. Victoria wanted nothing more than to make an excuse and skip it, but with afternoon meetings still ahead, she had no choice but to go along.
Curtis led the company executives, along with Ailie and Victoria, into the Vertex Dynamics dining hall. This was no ordinary cafeteria-it matched the standards of a five-star hotel in Starfall City, complete with Michelin-level chefs. Alongside a dazzling array of local dishes, the buffet offered cuisine from around the globe. The place felt more like an upscale food court than a workplace canteen, and everything was both authentic and exquisite.
Victoria and Ailie arrived first, planning to eat quietly and escape to the lounge afterward. But members of Vertex Dynamics' software team, still buzzing from their lively chat with Victoria that morning, quickly sought them out. Victoria's technical expertise and her graceful, approachable manner had left a strong impression; she had a reputation for successful gdevelopment and carried herself with a gentle confidence. The young men from the engineering team, noticing Victoria at a table, didn't hesitate to fill the seats around her completely unconcerned about anyone else's plans.
These past weeks, Victoria and Ailie had been all but frozen out by the Quantum Core Technologies higher-ups. No one wanted to get on Ms. Marchand's bad side by being seen with them, so the two women had grown used to eating alone.
When McNeil and Violet entered the dining hall, the entire room seemed to pause. People all but dropped their food to stand up in respect.
McNeil gave a brief nod as he looked around. "Please, everyone, have a seat." Violet, standing tall and poised beside him, spoke up in her steady, clear voice. "No need for formality during lunch. Enjoy your meals." With her chin held high and an air of quiet confidence, Violet's presence was unmistakable—especially with McNeil's secretary and Henry, the HR manager, flanking her. It was clear to everyone: she was already viewed as the future lady of The Langford Group.
Curtis scanned the room, hoping to sit with Victoria, but her table was already surrounded by Vertex Dynamics staff. With no seats left, he joined Mr. Harper at McNeil and Violet's table.
Victoria was all too aware of the cold shoulder from her own Quantum Core Technologies colleagues; Ailie noticed it too.
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But Ailie was made of sterner stuff.
She'd cto Starfall City alone, supporting her family back home-her parents were farmers, and he? M e younger brother was about to start college. Every penny she earned at Quantum Core Technologies mattered. So if people ignored her, so be it; as long as she could send money home, nothing else really bothered her.
Looking around at her new lunch companions-a table full of young, sharp-looking engineers from Vertex Dynamics-Ailie couldn't help but smile. Unlike other departments, there wasn't a single tired old m manager here, just lively, bright-eyed programmers. Everyone knew younger developers tended to have the quickest minds. Surrounded by good company, Ailie felt her mood lift. She laughed and joked with them, completely indifferent to any exclusion from her old colleagues.
As everyone else at lunch focused on flattering Violet, McNeil, and Curtis, able was i only Victoria's table was immersed in a passionate conversation about programming. She'd tried to stay in the background, offering the occasional comment, but the others refused to let her slip away so easily.
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