The angle and positioning of the camera during the video conference only revealed glimpses of the figure who had entered from behind. The other participants could make out a tall, well-built silhouette moving with quiet confidence and natural grace.
Even without seeing his face clearly, his commanding presence suggested he was no ordinary man. The way he carried himself spoke of authority and refinement.
Initially, colleagues at the company had speculated about a potential romance between Veronica and Dario, her business partner.
Those assumptions crumbled when they discovered Veronica was married with a child who was no longer small. Yet Veronica maintained strict boundaries between her professional and personal worlds. When conversations drifted toward her husband, her team found themselves knowing virtually nothing about him.
Veronica's striking beauty was undeniable, and the deeper their professional relationship grew, the more her colleagues recognized her exceptional abilities. Her strategic mind and business acumen often surpassed even Dario's considerable talents. This combination made everyone intensely curious.
What manner of man could capture and keep such a breathtaking, brilliant, and accomplished woman?
Tonight marked the first glimpse of Veronica's mysterious husband, only for her to swiftly redirect the camera elsewhere.
Jordan and several others were preparing to make playful comments when Cullen's voice cut through their unspoken teasing. "Still working?"
Veronica shifted to face him. "Yes."
Cullen gave a slight nod, offering no further commentary. He moved toward the wardrobe, selected fresh clothes, and disappeared into the bathroom for his shower.
Veronica watched his retreat briefly before returning her attention to the demanding work at hand.
Two women were part of their collaborative team. One couldn't resist leaning closer to her microphone, whispering conspiratorially to Veronica, "Your husband has an incredibly attractive voice."
Cullen possessed more than just striking looks. His voice carried a deep, resonant quality that was genuinely captivating to hear.
The compliment about Cullen left Veronica momentarily uncertain how to respond. After a hesitant pause, she managed a simple, "Thank you."
The evening had grown quite late. While the team's energy and enthusiasm remained high, pushing everyone beyond reasonable limits served no productive purpose.
Dario made the executive decision to complete the essential remaining items before concluding their session. Outstanding tasks could be addressed the following day or later in the week.
Even this abbreviated conclusion required substantial time to execute properly.
Cullen emerged from his shower to find their meeting still in progress.
Observing that Veronica remained fully engaged, he chose not to interrupt her concentration.
Then Sabrina returned home. "Mom—"
Hearing her daughter's approach, Veronica glanced toward the entrance. She was preparing to speak when Cullen intervened smoothly, "Mom is working."
His gentle reminder caused Sabrina to swallow her intended words immediately.
She approached Cullen instead, leaning close to whisper directly in his ear, "Dad, may I sleep in Niall's room tonight?"
Cullen nodded his approval. "Of course."
Delight flooded Sabrina's expression as she threw her arms around his neck. In her excitement, she forgot to maintain her whisper, exclaiming loudly, "Thank you, Dad!"
Fortunately, Veronica had just finished her portion of the work.
She deactivated her camera and was about to address the situation when she spotted Niall standing silently in the doorway.
Veronica's body went rigid for several heartbeats, her lips compressing into a tight line.
Both Sabrina and Cullen noticed Niall's presence simultaneously.
Cullen rose from his seat and walked purposefully outside. Moments later, both he and Niall departed together, walking side by side down the hallway.
Sabrina observed their exit with visible hesitation, clearly wanting to follow them. However, noting Veronica's expression—her pressed lips and the tension radiating from her rigid posture—she wisely reconsidered.
Instead, she approached cautiously, calling softly, "Mom?"
Veronica pulled her gaze away from the empty doorway and began organizing the scattered documents and reference books covering the table. "Did you take your shower?"
Veronica deliberately avoided asking who had assisted her with the evening routine. Instead, she inquired, "Are you feeling sleepy?"
"Um... yes, I'm getting sleepy."
"Then you should go to bed now."
Relief washed visibly across Sabrina's features at this response. "Okay! Mom, you should get some rest early too."
"I will. Sleep well."
Sabrina moved closer, wrapped her mother in a warm embrace, then departed with obvious happiness and anticipation.
After completing her organizational tasks, Veronica gathered her nightclothes and prepared to take her own shower.
Neither Cullen nor Sabrina had bothered to close the door behind them when they left the room.