At that very instant, Sabrina spotted Veronica emerging from the bedroom, her luggage trailing behind her. "Mom?"
"Yes." Veronica jolted from her thoughts, securing the door shut before responding, "I need to handle some business matters, so I'm returning to the city now. Stay here with your father and enjoy yourself."
Sabrina bobbed her head eagerly. "Sure thing, Mom."
Veronica pulled her suitcase toward the staircase. As she descended to the lobby, she encountered Cullen walking alongside Niall.
His eyes swept over her departing figure with the luggage, and he asked matter-of-factly, "Heading out?"
Veronica's response came flat and detached. "Yes."
"Did you arrange transportation?"
He made no attempt to persuade her to stay, merely offering, "Safe travels then."
Without another word, Veronica wheeled her suitcase through the exit, slipped into the waiting vehicle, and departed.
Nate stirred from sleep much later than his typical routine that day.
When he made his way downstairs for the midday meal with Cullen and the rest of the group, he suggested, "Cullen, perhaps you should go fetch her for lunch?" His reference to Veronica was unmistakable.
Cullen responded with complete indifference, "That won't be necessary. She's already gone."
Nate arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Gone already?" Marco's fork froze halfway to his mouth.
"Correct," Cullen confirmed. "She had urgent business matters requiring her attention at the office."
Nate was well aware of the situation with Dario refusing to hire Niall due to Veronica's influence, and how she had subsequently secured employment at DataPulse.
He distinctly remembered Cullen mentioning the previous evening that she was too occupied with work obligations to join them for dinner.
Considering this pattern, he released a sardonic laugh. "Occupied yesterday, occupied today—she certainly keeps herself incredibly busy, doesn't she?"
So overwhelmingly busy that DataPulse would apparently crumble without her constant presence.
Yet she had only secured her position through personal connections. She possessed neither exceptional abilities nor held any significant ownership stake in DataPulse.
Claiming to be "busy" was transparently nothing more than a fabricated excuse. And such a poorly constructed one at that. Nate found himself at a loss for words.
Niall immediately grasped the underlying implication of his remarks. She ducked her head toward her plate, concealing a satisfied smirk.
Veronica remained completely oblivious to the judgmental thoughts circulating among Nate and the others. Following her departure from the hot spring resort, she proceeded directly to DataPulse headquarters and remained immersed in work until darkness fell.
After maintaining this relentless pace for two consecutive days, she was preparing to depart early for some much-needed rest when her phone rang with a call from her uncle, Phillip.
Thirty minutes later, Veronica found herself at the Murray family residence.
Phillip was present with his wife, accompanied by their two children, Adrian and Thomas.
Veronica offered a warm smile and acknowledged their greetings. Thomas inquired, "Where's Sabrina? Didn't you mention she had returned to the country? Why didn't she accompany you for dinner?"
"She's currently at the hot springs and hasn't returned yet."
"Ah, I see..." Recognizing that Sabrina was likely there with Cullen, Thomas chose not to pursue the topic further.
Before stepping inside the house, Veronica's gaze drifted toward the villa situated across the street, and she paused momentarily.
During her trip to the hot spring resort, she had neglected to bring the keys to that particular villa. If she had remembered them, she could have begun the process of removing all remnants of the Mack family's presence and initiated renovation plans.
Phillip and his wife had been immersed in preparations for Mary's upcoming birthday celebration.
They had summoned Veronica not only to seek her opinions and suggestions but also because there was a specific task requiring her assistance.
"These two invitations are intended for the Dennis family and Aila. Veronica, please find an opportunity within the next few days to personally deliver them."
Veronica experienced a brief moment of hesitation before accepting the elegant invitations. "Of course."
Following dinner, she spent quality time conversing with Mary and Phillip about various family matters.
Around nine o'clock in the evening, she determined it was appropriate for her to take her leave.
As she prepared to depart, Mary accompanied her to the entrance, grasped her hand gently, and said with heartfelt sincerity, "If the Dennis family chooses not to attend, please don't feel obligated to pressure them. Regardless of their decision to come or stay away, it truly makes no difference to me."
The weight of unspoken family tensions hung heavily in Mary's words, and Veronica could sense the careful balance her aunt was trying to maintain. The Dennis family's attendance at the birthday celebration clearly carried more significance than Mary was willing to openly acknowledge, yet she was determined to project an image of indifference.
Veronica squeezed her aunt's hand reassuringly. "I understand completely. I'll handle the invitations with care, but there will be no undue pressure placed on anyone."
Mary's expression softened with relief and gratitude. "You've always been so thoughtful, dear. Thank you for understanding."
As Veronica made her way to her car, she couldn't help but reflect on the complex web of relationships that seemed to define every aspect of her family's interactions. The Dennis family's potential attendance or absence would undoubtedly send ripples through the social circles that mattered to her aunt and uncle, regardless of Mary's claims of indifference.
The drive back to her apartment provided her with much-needed solitude to process the evening's conversations and the tasks that lay ahead. Delivering those invitations would require careful consideration of timing and approach, particularly given the delicate nature of the relationships involved.
Her phone remained mercifully silent during the journey, allowing her thoughts to wander without interruption. The contrast between the peaceful quiet of her car and the bustling energy of the Murray household was stark and welcome.
Upon reaching her building, Veronica felt the full weight of her exhaustion settling over her shoulders. The combination of intensive work demands and family obligations was taking its toll, though she remained determined not to show any signs of weakness or complaint.
As she prepared for bed, her mind inevitably drifted to Sabrina, still enjoying her time at the hot springs with Cullen. The separation, though temporary, felt more significant than it should have, highlighting the growing distance in various relationships throughout her life.