Stepping out of Stellar's glass towers and settling into the leather seats of their car, Dario couldn't contain his irritation any longer. His jaw remained tight, fingers drumming against his knee as frustration coursed through him.
A thought struck him suddenly, and he pivoted toward Veronica with narrowed eyes. "That woman in the tailored business suit hovering behind Niall earlier. Did you catch how she was staring at you? Like she was sizing you up for a coffin. You two have history?"
Veronica's response ca flat and emotionless. "She's Niall's cousin."
Dario let out a bitter laugh that held no humor. "Perfect. So Cullen doesn't just roll out the red carpet for Niall herself, but he's also playing employnt agency for her entire bloodline? Give it a few more months, and I bet Stellar's logo will be replaced with the Mack family crest."
The observation hit closer to ho than Veronica cared to admit. She managed only a noncommittal sound in response.
Considering Cullen's obvious infatuation with Niall, Veronica wouldn't be shocked if he eventually signed over the entire company to her. Hiring Mack family mbers was probably just the opening act of a much larger performance.
Dario caught himself before diving deeper into his rant, recognizing that continued discussion would only fuel his anger further.
The evening stretched long as Veronica and Dario hunched over laptops and technical diagrams, ticulously working to reverse-engineer the specifications of Cullen's autonomous vehicle engine. The work demanded precision, each calculation crucial to their ultimate goal.
During their late drive ho, delicate snowflakes began drifting from the darkened sky, creating a ethereal curtain against the windshield.
Back at her apartnt, Veronica had barely selected her sleepwear when her phone's shrill ring cut through the quiet. Cullen's na glowed on the screen.
She deliberately ignored the call, gathering her clothes and disappearing into the bathroom's steam-filled sanctuary.
Erging refreshed twenty minutes later, she discovered Cullen had attempted to reach her twice more. When his calls went unanswered, he'd resorted to texting instead.
The ssage was characteristically brief: "Sabrina has a parent-teacher conference tomorrow."
Veronica's fingers moved swiftly across the screen, crafting an equally concise response: "I'm unavailable tomorrow." She placed the phone face-down on her nightstand, dismissing the matter entirely from her thoughts.
anwhile, across town, Cullen remained absorbed in his work while Sabrina commandeered his phone for entertainnt. When she glimpsed Veronica's rejection, her entire deanor transford with unbridled joy.
"Dad! Mom said she can't make it tomorrow! That ans I can invite Niall to my parent-teacher conference instead, right?" Her voice practically vibrated with excitent.
Cullen offered a distracted grunt of acknowledgnt without lifting his gaze from his docunts.
"Yes! This is amazing!" Sabrina launched herself from the sofa, arms windmilling as she celebrated her perceived victory.
Cullen's voice remained steady as he added, "I'll be attending as well."
Sabrina's grin stretched impossibly wider. "Obviously! If Niall's going, you'd never miss it."
The following day found Veronica imrsed in DataPulse's bustling environnt, engaged in detailed project discussions with Jordan when her phone's notification chi interrupted their conversation.
The ssage originated from Sabrina's horoom teacher: "Mrs. Dennis, should I expect your attendance at today's parent-teacher conference for Sabrina?"
Veronica glanced at the screen and typed her response without hesitation: "I have prior commitnts. I won't be there."
An hour passed before her phone chid again with another ssage from the sa teacher: "Sabrina's father arrived with another woman as your substitute today..." A photograph accompanied the concerned ssage.
The image captured Cullen and Niall seated side by side in the cramped classroom chairs. Sabrina had positioned herself beside Niall, her small arms wrapped possessively around the woman's elbow in an display of manufactured affection.
The scene failed to surprise Veronica. After all, Sabrina had been orchestrating this exact scenario, hoping desperately that her mother would decline to attend, clearing the path for Niall's insertion into the role.
With Niall serving as her replacent, Cullen's presence beca inevitable. He would never allow Niall to navigate such situations alone, not when it provided another opportunity for them to play house with his daughter.
While the teacher's ssage carried undertones of concern and perhaps judgnt, Veronica responded with professional detachnt: "I'm aware of the arrangent. Thank you for your consideration, Ms. Hudson."
She returned the phone to her desk drawer and redirected her attention to the project materials spread before her, refusing to waste ntal energy on matters beyond her control.
The demanding pace of her work schedule made the days blur together seamlessly. Before she fully processed the passage of ti, Friday morning had arrived with its promise of temporary respite from the corporate grind.
She'd barely completed her morning routine when Marco's call interrupted her peaceful start to the day. His voice carried unusual enthusiasm as he explained Cecelia's latest request for an outdoor adventure.
"She's got her heart set on a camping expedition," he explained, his tone suggesting the idea held more complexity than typical weekend plans.
Veronica paused in her coffee preparation, processing the implications. "Are we discussing an overnight camping situation?"
"Exactly that," Marco confird, anticipating her concerns before she could voice them. "But don't let security worries occupy your thoughts. I'll coordinate professional protection discreetly. All the gear will be handled completely, sleeping bags, weatherproof tents, portable heating systems, the works. Your only responsibility is showing up ready for adventure."
The proposal carried appeal despite its spontaneous nature. After weeks of corporate battles and personal complications, the prospect of disconnecting from technology and urban pressures held genuine attraction.
"Where did you have in mind for this wilderness escape?" Veronica asked, her interest gradually building despite initial reservations about outdoor sleeping arrangents.
Marco's response carried the confidence of soone who'd already invested considerable planning into the venture. "There's a private camping area about two hours north of the city. Completely secure, beautiful lake views, and far enough from civilization to provide real peace and quiet. Cecelia discovered it through so friends, and the reviews are exceptional."
Veronica weighed the proposition carefully. The timing seed appropriate for stepping away from the endless cycle of Cullen-related drama and Stellar complications. A weekend surrounded by natural beauty instead of corporate politics held undeniable appeal.
"The weather forecast looks favorable," Marco continued, sensing her wavering resolve. "Clear skies, mild temperatures, perfect conditions for Cecelia's first real camping experience. Plus, I think you could use so ti away from everything that's been weighing on you lately."
His observation struck ho with uncomfortable accuracy. The constant tension of recent weeks had accumulated like sedint, creating a burden she hadn't fully acknowledged until this mont.
"When would we depart?" she asked, her decision crystallizing even as she posed the question.
"This afternoon, if you're agreeable. We could establish camp before sunset, spend tomorrow exploring the area, and return Sunday evening completely refreshed."
The plan's simplicity held genuine appeal. No corporate etings, no phone calls from Cullen, no complicated family dynamics to navigate, just clean air and uncomplicated human connection.
"Alright," Veronica agreed, surprising herself with the ease of her acceptance. "Count in for this wilderness adventure."
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