The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Chapter 289 "Mmm..." Violet had been explaining things to McNeil, her tone confident and authoritative— a real expert. Ailie listened with a cold smirk. She actually had friends in direct contact with the CEO of EmilyTech Solutions, and even they didn't know as much as Violet seemed to.

Only Victoria understood: Violet was doing all this for Allian's sake.

Dinner dragged on for nearly three hours. In the end, Violet was the host, but it was McNeil who picked up the tab.

Ailie couldn't resist a mocking jab.

"Mr. Langford is so thoughtful and generous with our Ms. Marchand. Ms. Marchand really is lucky-unlike Victoria's husband, who doesn't know how to take care of his own wife and is always running off after floozies..." She didn't care how Violet's face looked behind her-red, white, or purple. She grabbed Victoria and swept her out of the restaurant.

Everyone else was tipsy, barely registering what Ailie had said.

McNeil frowned; Violet was fuming, her body trembling in the dark.

A couple of times, Violet nearly stumbled getting into the car-heels too high, doors too tall-but McNeil caught her just in time, and the two slipped into the back seat together.

Victoria glanced at Ailie as they walked away. "What did you just say to her? Violet looks like she's about to explode." Victoria was more than a little drunk herself; her head was spinning, and Ailie's expression was stormy, as if she'd cursed Violet out. But like the others, she hadn't caught the actual words.

Ailie put a hand over Victoria's ear. "Don't worry about it. We're decent people- sthings are better left unheard. No need to let ugly words taint your heart." Ailie didn't tell Victoria she'd called Violet a slut. Besides, only Violet had actually heard her-no harm done. The next morning, as soon as Victoria arrived at the office, someone from the tech department pulled her aside, whispering in her ear.

"They say Ms. Ailie's getting laid off. Victoria, is it true?" "What?" Victoria was baffled. Just last night they'd all been eating and drinking together before heading their separate ways. She'd made sure to arrive on tthis morning, not wanting to give Violet a chance to snark about her being late. She hadn't heard a thing about layoffs, and Ailie hadn't mentioned it either.

"Maybe it's because you're close with Ms. Ailie-people have been avoiding you, not wanting to say anything. Ms. Ailie's been put on a month's leave. Yesterday she closed a multimillion-dollar deal for the company. By rights, she should be getting a promotion and a bonus, not a forced vacation. Doesn't it seem obvious they're looking for an excuse to push her out?" Victoria went straight to Curtis's office. He was there, and as soon as she walked in, he motioned her to sit.

"I need you to be honest withwhat exactly happened between Mr. Langford and Ailie?" Ailie and McNeil? The only real issue was that Ailie was her friend, always standing up for her. But that wasn't something she could tell Curtis.

"Nothing," Victoria lied, her voice firm.

Curtis still looked puzzled. "Mr. Langford made it clear-he's very unhappy with Ms. Ailie." Victoria's face went pale. Last night, Ailie had insulted Violet, and now McNeil was taking Violet's side.

"What did Ailie do?" Victoria's tone was cold. She kept her emotions in check- one slip and she'd give herself away.

Curtis shook his head. "Whatever personal there may be between Ms. Marchand and Mr. Langford, it has no place in the office. If Ailie lets her personal feelings get in the way of her work, it'll only hurt her career. You're her friend. I hope you'll talk ssense into her. I know Ailie is talented, but The Langford Group is our biggest investor right now. We need strong financial backing for our projects. I'm putting her on leave for a month, and we'll see how things stand once Mr. Langford cools off."

It was obvious Curtis was siding with Violet. Ailie might be a respected manager, but in a company-like m Quantum Core Technologies, swapping out a department head was child's play. In this economy, with so much talent on the market, no one was irreplaceable. Victoria sighed. "I understand. I'll talk to her." She stepped out and immediately pulled out her phone. Ailie answered quickly; her voice sounded light, almost cheerful, as if nothing had happened.

"I have to ask-what did you say last night? You wouldn't tell me, and I was too drunk to follow what set Violet off."

Ailie was as irrepressible as ever. "If this place doesn't want me, there are plenty of other companies that will. Don't worry-I won't starve, even if Quantum Core Technologies is a tough act to follow. But let's be real: Violet's had it out forfor ages. It was only a matter of tbefore she got rid of me. Why stick around and let her make my life miserable?"

Victoria knew Ailie was only stirring things up for her sake. In truth, Violet m had never targeted ili on the el contrary, she'd made things easy for her, helping her get projects finished. It was Ailie who kept picking fights, always jumping to Victoria's defense. "Don't worry," Victoria said. "As long as I'm still at Quantum Core, they can't fire you." Ailie snorted. "What's your plan? Don't you dare go begging Violet-or worse, that jerk McNeil. I don't care about this job." Victoria hesitated, then pressed on. "I'll be here when you cback. But seriously-what did you call Violet last night?" Ailie laughed. "A tramp."