The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Chapter 309 Simms wore the smug expression of a man used to getting his way, and he'd gone out of his way to make sure Yulia looked every bit the society lady-her elegant outfit and expensive jewelry the perfect complement to his own image.

As soon as they appeared at the restaurant entrance, the manager hurried over to greet them.

"Good afternoon, sir. Do you have a reservation?" Simms replied coolly, "The private room under Mr. Langford's name." The manager hesitated, frowning in confusion. "Mr. Langford? Which Mr. Langford?" Yulia linked arms with Simms and interjected with a gentle smile, "I know where Violet is. Let's go." Simms' face darkened with irritation. This manager clearly didn't know his place. Simms made a mental note to speak to the restaurant owner-someone would be looking for a new job soon.

Yulia led Simms gracefully into the private dining room. Inside, only Violet sat waiting.

"McNeil isn't here yet?" Simms asked, scanning the room.

Violet's face fell immediately, but Yulia was quick to smooth things over. "Violet rarely has tto bring us together for a meal. Mr. Langford's busy, and if he couldn't make it, that's fine. There'll be plenty of chances." Simms was hardly comforted. He'd cleared his lunch schedule for this, turning down a meeting with several major investors because McNeil had asked him to come. Now, finding only Violet here, he felt his twas being wasted, and it showed plainly on his face.

"Order whatever you like, both of you. Lunch is ontoday," Violet offered politely, trying to lift the mood. Simms kept his tone cold. "Let your aunt do the ordering," he said, making it obvious he wasn't in the mood for small talk.

Violet didn't take offense. In truth, she was feeling low herself, and had invited Yulia and Simms only because she had no one else to turn to. Her own parents were far away in a tiny, forgotten town-uneducated, never fitting in with her world. She'd moved to Starfall City in middle school, sent by her parents to live with her aunt and uncle, who promised her better prospects.

And they'd delivered. Simms and Yulia had treated her like their own, giving her an allowance that would make most college students blush, and even buying her a villa of her own. At thirteen, her life had changed overnight from a country girl in hand-me-downs to a socialite with the world at her feet.

Now, Violet had all but forgotten her roots. She ordered a few of Simms' favorite dishes, but no one was really interested in eating. Simms checked his watch repeatedly, his impatience growing more obvious by the minute. Violet barely noticed.

Yulia broke the silence, "Did you have a falling out with Mr. Langford?" Simms immediately perked up, his expression sharpening as he studied Violet. "You two argued?" Violet stabbed her fork into her cake, crumbling it without realizing. "No, Uncle. If you really want to help, maybe you should pay more attention to Victoria." She set her utensils down and slumped back in her chair, her mood black.

At the mention of Victoria, Simms' already sour mood turned stormy. "What's she done now?" Yulia chimed in, puzzled, "Aren't you both at the scompany? You're vice president-she can't outshine you there." Violet gave a bitter laugh. "And what does that matter? I'll never be as good at playing the temptress as she is." Her eyes flicked to Simms, as if blaming him.

"You're saying your issues with McNeil are because of Victoria?" Simms was skeptical, and Yulia looked incredulous.

"That's impossible. Victoria's been married to McNeil for years and no one in Starfall City even knows she's Mrs. Langford. Everyone knows you," Simms said honestly.

Yulia nodded in agreement. "Violet, maybe it's all a misunderstanding. Mr. Langford isn't like other men. With his success, anyone else would have women lining up for attention, but he only has eyes for you. You're his one and only." Violet felt her mood lift at their reassurances. She'd almost brought up what she'd overheard on the phone yesterday-the ugly truth that still stung. But maybe, she thought, McNeil was just being considerate of her health, choosing to cherish her instead.

Victoria? She was nothing. If McNeil still refused to acknowledg her as his wife, what did she have to compete with? Even if McNeil did sleep with Victoria, wasn't it just a man's way of letting off steam? And at least the woman at hdidn't cost him anything.

That thought put a smug smile back on Violet's face.

Simms watched her carefully. "Don't overthink it. McNeil doesn't seem to care for Victoria. Still, men are m men-they care about sthings more than others. You might want to put more effort into that side of your relationship, instead of burying yourself in work."

But Violet scoffed at his advice. She'd never stoop to using her body to was Dere m please a man-that was beneath her. If Victoria wanted to use that cheap trick, let her. It wouldn't get her anywhere.

With her mind made up, Violet's appetite returned. She took a few bites, and then her phone buzzed-McNeil's non the screen. "Where are you?" "I'm having lunch with my aunt and uncle..." McNeil replied in his usual calm tone, "Alright. Callwhen you're done. I'll cpick you up." Violet's smile brightened, and Simms exchanged a glance with Yulia.

"Who was that?" Yulia asked.

"Of course, it was McNeil," Violet replied, unable to hide her satisfaction. "He said he'll cpickup when we're done."