Veronica couldn't suppress the bitter laughter that welled inside her as the realization hit her.
Cullen and Niall had met after her marriage to Cullen. Niall knew perfectly well that Cullen was Veronica's husband. There was absolutely no way Isaac was unaware of this fact. He had known all along.
Yet there he was, shamelessly encouraging a relationship between his daughter Niall and her husband. The message was clear: Isaac cared so little for Veronica that he'd happily facilitate her husband's affair with her own sister.
Cullen readily agreed to Isaac's request, cementing the betrayal.
They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Isaac departed. Veronica watched as Cullen waited respectfully for Isaac to get into his car and drive away before he himself left.
This level of deference was something Cullen rarely showed, reserved only for the most esteemed elders of the Dennis family. His respect for Isaac was evident—not because of any connection to Veronica, but solely because the man was Niall's father.
Veronica's mind drifted to the numerous times Cullen had met Mary and Phillip. His demeanor had always been cold, disinterested. Even when she had carefully broached the subject of Phillip's business struggles, Cullen had dismissed her plea for help without a second thought.
Yet for anyone Niall cared about, he transformed into a different man entirely.
The contrast in how he treated her compared to Niall couldn't be more glaring. This was what it looked like when someone loved one person and merely tolerated another.
After Cullen's departure, Veronica remained rooted to the spot for a long time before finally entering Elegance Sanctuary.
That evening, after finishing work, Veronica returned home to collect the gifts she had prepared for the Dennis family elders. She then drove to Dennis Estate.
The imposing estate sat on the outskirts of the capital, nestled among verdant mountains with breathtaking natural scenery. It was the perfect retreat for the elderly members of the family, though its distance from the city center was considerable.
The journey took Veronica nearly ninety minutes.
After parking her car, she gathered her gifts and approached the entrance. Before she could enter, the sound of Sabrina's delighted laughter drifted from inside.
Cook was seated near the entrance and spotted Veronica immediately. Her face broke into a warm smile. "You're finally here, Ver. Come sit with me."
While Cook's welcome was genuine and heartfelt, the same couldn't be said for Cullen's mother, Seraphine Patrick. Similarly, Aila and Matthew's expressions soured visibly upon seeing Veronica.
There was a time when their coldness would have devastated her. Now, Veronica found herself increasingly numb to their disdain.
With a faint smile, she handed the gifts to an approaching housekeeper, then walked over to Cook. "Good evening, Grandma."
"Good evening," Cook replied, her face radiant with affection. She took Veronica's hand and guided her to sit beside her. As she studied Veronica's face, her smile faltered. "You've lost weight! Has Cullen been mistreating you?"
Veronica lowered her gaze, shaking her head slightly. "No, I've just been busy lately."
It wasn't entirely a lie. While Cullen hadn't directly mistreated her, her emotional state suffered constantly because of him. Additionally, she'd been immersing herself in AI research every night after work, sometimes working until dawn.
The weight loss was a result of both emotional strain and physical exhaustion.
Before Cook could press further, Aila interjected with a scoff. "From the way you talk, anyone would think your job is so crucial that the entire Dennis Group would collapse without you."
Seraphine, ever the picture of refined contempt, sipped her drink and remarked icily, "If working at Dennis Group is so exhausting for you, perhaps you should resign. No one begged you to work there."
Aila laughed, the sound brittle and mocking. "Exactly! Though I suspect someone just can't bear to leave."
Cook bristled, clearly displeased with their barbed comments toward Veronica.
Before she could intervene, Veronica spoke calmly. "I've already submitted my resignation. Once I complete the handover process, I'll be leaving Dennis Group."
Her statement caught Seraphine and Aila off guard, rendering them momentarily speechless.
Cook frowned worriedly. "Ver—"
"Is Mom here?" Sabrina's voice interrupted, cutting through the tension. She had just descended from the second floor in the elevator.
Upon seeing Veronica, genuine happiness lit up her face. It had been over two weeks since they last spoke. She rushed forward, throwing herself into Veronica's arms. "Mom!"
Veronica hesitated briefly before returning the embrace gently. "Hey there."
Cook, sensing the shift in atmosphere with Sabrina's arrival, decided to change the subject.
With a warm smile, she turned to Veronica. "Ver, it's been ages since I had your tea. Would you make me a cup?"
Having been raised by Mary, Veronica had developed exceptional tea-making skills. Her technique was refined and her brews were always perfect.
Veronica responded warmly, "I'd be happy to, but dinner seems almost ready..."
Aila, who preferred coffee and resented seeing Veronica showcase any talent, quickly cut in, "Exactly. Dinner will be served as soon as Cullen and Leo arrive."
As if summoned by her words, Cullen entered the room.
He greeted Cook and Seraphine first. When his eyes landed on Veronica, he quickly averted his gaze and took a seat on a single-person couch far away from her.
Seeing her father, Sabrina immediately detached herself from Veronica and ran to him. "Dad!"
Cullen hugged her briefly, then glanced around as if about to speak when Leo arrived. He was significantly younger than both Cullen and Aila, still in his teens, with an exuberant personality.
He made his entrance by playfully vaulting over the back of a couch, landing gracefully on the cushions.
Noting that everyone was present, he grinned broadly. "Were you all waiting for me?"
Aila gave him a playful smack on the head. "Of course! We've been starving because of you."
While Cullen was reserved and Aila quick-tempered, Leo brought lightness to the family. He was particularly close to his parents, and his arrival visibly brightened Seraphine's expression. Cook, too, seemed delighted by his presence.
Noticing the hour, Cook instructed the staff to serve dinner.
All nine family members gathered in the dining room. Cook took her place at the head of the table, with Cullen, Sabrina, and Veronica seated in a row beside her.
Cook smiled as she turned to Sabrina. "Sa, switch places with your dad so your mom and dad can sit together."
Cook had always tried to foster closeness between Veronica and Cullen. The others were accustomed to her transparent efforts and didn't react. Most considered it futile—despite years of her meddling, Cullen's attitude toward Veronica remained unchanged.
Everyone recognized the pointlessness of her attempts. Even Aila merely offered a sarcastic smirk before choosing a seat without comment.
Though Cullen disliked Cook's arrangements, he rarely contradicted her on minor matters. His silence indicated reluctant acquiescence.
Unlike in the past, Veronica felt no spark of hope or joy at Cook's matchmaking.
She maintained a neutral expression, though her smile was gentle as she addressed the elderly woman. "It's alright, Grandma. This seating arrangement is fine."