At noon, Veronica and Cullen's group arrived at the restaurant for lunch after wrapping up their meeting. The air was light with professional courtesy as they made their way toward their reserved private dining room.

Just as they were about to enter, the door of the adjacent room swung open with dramatic timing. Bonnie's voice rang out, deliberately loud and clear.

"Cull!" she called, her tone infused with such enthusiasm it bordered on theatrical.

Gareth's eyes lit up at the sight of Niall standing beside Bonnie. "Well, Ms. Crystal is dining here too—what a coincidence," he remarked with a knowing smile.

"Quite the coincidence indeed," Niall responded, her lips curving into a perfect smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Despite her words, this meeting was anything but happenstance. The news of Cullen and Veronica's divorce filing that morning had spread through both families like wildfire. Bonnie, upon learning of Cullen and Veronica's lunch plans, had specifically arranged for their private room to be positioned directly across from the couple's.

This "chance encounter" was meticulously orchestrated.

Bonnie could barely contain her delight at the thought that Cullen had wasted no time filing divorce papers after settling the agreement. What thrilled her even more was the countdown that had begun—just thirty days until the divorce would be finalized. After that, she was certain Niall and Cullen would rush to the altar, leaving Veronica permanently in the past.

With this satisfying thought, Bonnie cast a smug glance toward Veronica, her eyes gleaming with barely disguised triumph.

Though Niall had never explicitly pushed Cullen to divorce Veronica, anyone could see she'd been anxious for this day. No matter how secure she felt in her relationship with Cullen, as long as he remained legally bound to another woman, her position lacked legitimacy. When she'd heard that Cullen had finalized the divorce terms and scheduled the courthouse visit, relief had washed over her like a cool breeze.

Both the Mack and Crystal families shared in this excitement. Sophia barely acknowledged Veronica's existence, giving her a cursory glance before looking away as if she were invisible. Jade, meanwhile, couldn't suppress her satisfied smile.

"You go ahead," Niall said to Cullen with practiced casualness. "We won't keep you."

"I'll come see you in a bit," he responded, his voice low and intimate.

Niall smiled. "Alright."

Their exchange carried the easy familiarity of a deeply connected couple, prompting knowing chuckles from Gareth and the others.

Veronica and Dario, unwilling to linger in this uncomfortable tableau, proceeded directly into their private room without engaging further.

"They're just here to show off," Dario sneered once they were alone.

"I know," Veronica replied quietly. The display had been transparently deliberate.

"What a bunch of trash. They're really ridiculous."

After the brief greetings concluded, Cullen's party entered their dining room, while the Mack and Crystal families returned to theirs.

Jade was visibly pleased with the encounter, yet a shadow of discontent lingered on her face. She leaned closer to Penny, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Now that she's left Cullen, ending up with Dario is a bit too lucky for that little tramp."

The thought of Dario—and more importantly, the powerful Malcolm backing him—felt like a persistent splinter she couldn't remove.

Jade wasn't alone in her discomfort. Since learning that Veronica had genuinely developed skills under Dario's guidance, both Penny and Niall had been nursing their own uneasiness.

"Once she's divorced, she'll be a divorcée," Jade continued through gritted teeth. "What gives her the right?"

The label "divorcée" seemed to soothe Penny momentarily. "As long as they're not married, nothing's final. No need to rush."

Jade understood the logic but remained dissatisfied. The mere possibility of Veronica marrying Dario kept her on edge.

Meanwhile, Veronica remained blissfully unaware of the Mack family's plotting in the next room. Cullen's group had settled into comfortable conversation, the atmosphere relaxed and professional.

Shortly after, Cullen stood. "Please continue. I'm stepping out for a bit. I won't be long."

Having earlier promised Niall he'd visit her room, his departure could only mean one thing—he was going next door to see her.

"Go ahead, Mr. Dennis," Gareth laughed. "No need to hurry—we're in no rush."

"Exactly, take your time," Silas added with a chuckle.

Cullen smiled appreciatively before leaving.

Veronica and Dario observed the scene with quiet indifference, not bothering to watch him go.

Veronica paid little attention to Cullen's absence, but Dario grew increasingly irritated. "He's been gone for nearly ten minutes. The nerve of him."

Veronica was about to respond when Cullen pushed the door open and returned. She held her tongue.

Dario rolled his eyes dramatically.

Cullen resumed his seat and rejoined the conversation as though nothing had happened. Just then, Veronica's phone rang, causing her to pause when she saw the caller ID.

Dario noticed her hesitation and leaned over to peek at the screen. "Edric?" he asked, surprise evident in his voice. "Why's he calling you?"

Though he hadn't spoken loudly, those seated nearby—Gareth, Cullen, and others—all overheard the question.

Remembering Edric's earlier confession, Veronica found herself at a complete loss for words, her mind racing for an appropriate response.