The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge novel Chapter 291

McNeil gave a soft grunt and nodded. "Loyalty's a fine thing. But if loyalty costs you your job… Well, I'm sure she won't regret it, not if it was for you."

A cold weight settled in Victoria's chest. Was McNeil saying he'd never let Ailie return to Quantum Core Technologies?

"Name your price," he said. "If it's within my power, I'll do it."

Victoria knew him too well—six years at his side had taught her that McNeil played the business game as ruthlessly as she did, if not more so.

"Or maybe you think I took too much in our last deal. I'm willing to stick to the original terms—just the two percent cut you offered at first."

Her earnestness, her desperation, only earned her a mocking smirk from McNeil.

"You'd throw away millions in bonuses for the sake of friendship? Are you really the Victoria I know?"

Victoria's eyes narrowed. "You think everything in this world can be bought? Some things—some feelings—are worth more than money. Of course, if you run into a backstabber, well, maybe it's just your own bad luck."

She never named him, but every word was a pointed barb at McNeil.

He didn't get angry; he actually chuckled.

"You want to bargain with a tiger, and now you're telling the tiger to care about feelings?" McNeil leaned forward, his eyes cold. "Victoria, I'm starting to wonder if you're trying to manipulate me."

He paused, then spoke with chilling finality. "If it's a deal you want, let's make one. Right here, on this couch. Spend the night with me, and I'll let your precious Ailie come back to Quantum Core as manager."

Victoria's face went paper-white.

This was his office—how could he make such a shameless demand in a place like this?

"McNeil, is there any line you won't cross?"

He just sneered. "You wanted to talk feelings. I'm offering a transaction. Yes or no, Victoria. One word."

Her teeth sank into her lower lip until she could taste blood.

McNeil lounged on the sofa, looking her up and down. Once, their glances had been charged with something electric—now, it was nothing but humiliation. He watched her like a man appraising merchandise: desire in his eyes, but no emotion.

"So, are you going to do it yourself, or should I?"

Victoria stared at the empty office.

Beyond the enormous windows, the skyline of Starfall City stretched out, glass and steel gleaming beneath the morning sun. Up above, the sky was blue and cloudless. Sunlight poured through the glass, making the room uncomfortably bright.

On the other side of the drawn curtains, just a thin wall away, were the company's staff.

Victoria stood frozen, but at that moment, a knock came at the door.

"Open it."

Victoria glared at him, refusing to move.

"What is it?"

"You'll see. Some of the old favorites we used to use. There's even a fruit-flavored one. Pick whichever you like—help me put it on, just like you used to."

Heat flushed across her cheeks as she finally understood. The bag contained a box of condoms.

So this was why he hadn't answered her calls—he'd been waiting for her to come to him, desperate and cornered.

In her panic to save Ailie's career, Victoria had forgotten just how ruthless McNeil could be. He always got what he wanted, by any means necessary. If he wanted to use her, right here, right now, nothing would stop him.

Victoria drew a shaky breath, her whole body trembling with anger and shame.

When she still didn't move, McNeil crossed the room, grabbed her, and pulled her down onto his lap.

He wrapped an arm around her, tore open the box right in front of her, and laid out an entire row of XL condoms.

"What are you so scared of?" he murmured softly. "It's not like we haven't done this before. I remember you liked putting it on for me yourself. So—how about it, Victoria?"