Veronica's cheeks flamed crimson as mortification crashed over her. Her fingers fumbled desperately with the collar that Cecelia had yanked down, trying to restore some semblance of dignity.
Marco's face transformed in an instant, his features hardening as shock registered in his eyes. The moment awareness struck him, he whipped around, deliberately averting his gaze from her exposed skin.
The nanny standing nearby looked equally horrified by what had just transpired.
At least the hallway remained empty of other witnesses, sparing them all from an even more humiliating spectacle.
The nanny rushed forward, her hands working quickly to help Veronica readjust her disheveled clothing.
Veronica had always been modest, never allowing any man except Cullen to see her so intimately. The fact that Marco, Cullen's close friend, had witnessed her in such a state made her skin crawl with discomfort. Heat radiated from her face as she struggled to compose herself.
Once her clothes were properly arranged, she spoke with forced casualness, though her voice carried an unmistakable strain. "I have an appointment to keep. I should go."
Only after she spoke did Marco slowly turn back to face her, his expression carefully controlled. "I apologize for what happened."
Cecelia seemed to understand that her actions had caused trouble. Her large eyes filled with tears as she gazed at Veronica with genuine remorse. "Ms. Murray, I'm so sorry..."
Despite her embarrassment, Veronica couldn't bring herself to scold the innocent child. She managed a stiff smile, knowing Cecelia hadn't meant any harm. "Don't worry about it. I know you were just playing."
She raised her hand in a brief farewell gesture toward Cecelia before stepping quickly into the elevator.
Marco remained motionless as the elevator doors slid shut, then looked down at the little girl in his arms. "Cecelia, you must never do something like that again. Do you understand me?"
Cecelia bobbed her head earnestly. "I understand..."
As the afternoon group activities wound down around four o'clock, Veronica prepared to leave for her dinner obligation at the Dennis Estate.
Dario accompanied her to the parking garage, his concern evident. "Take care on the road, Veronica."
"I will." Their conversation was interrupted by the quiet hum of an approaching vehicle.
Veronica paid little attention to the car until its rear window began to descend. Cecelia's animated face appeared, her small hand waving enthusiastically. "Bye-bye, Ms. Murray!"
She returned the child's enthusiasm with a gentler smile. "Goodbye, Cecelia."
Her expression grew more reserved when she noticed Marco's intense stare fixed on her through the car window. She acknowledged him with a brief, polite nod.
Marco responded with his own subtle nod before his attention shifted to Dario standing beside her. His gaze lingered for a moment before he looked away and the car continued on its path.
As the vehicle disappeared from view, Dario rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "Did it seem like he was sizing me up back there?"
Veronica lifted her shoulders in a dismissive gesture. "Was he? That seems unlikely."
Dario couldn't explain the feeling, but something about Marco's scrutiny had felt deliberate and assessing.
"Maybe he thinks there's something between us," Dario mused hesitantly, "and he feels obligated to keep tabs on you for Cullen's sake?"
At his suggestion, Veronica's smile dimmed noticeably. She replied with deliberate indifference, "I can assure you that's not his concern."
After all, Marco maintained an excellent friendship with Niall as well.
Surely Marco would prefer to see Cullen reunited with Niall permanently.
Both Marco and Nate would likely celebrate if Veronica developed romantic interests elsewhere, freeing Cullen from their marriage entirely. Why would Marco worry about Veronica potentially betraying Cullen?
She climbed into her car and drove away, leaving those thoughts behind.
Darkness had fully settled by the time she reached the Dennis Estate.
Only Cook waited for her alongside the household staff.
Cook hurried forward to greet her, but her welcoming smile faltered when she realized Veronica had arrived alone. "Where's Sa?"
Cullen's separate arrival rarely surprised Cook anymore, so she didn't bother asking about him.
However, Sabrina's absence was unusual since she typically accompanied Veronica on these visits.
Ever since Sabrina's ankle had healed and they'd shared that meal at the villa, Sabrina had maintained complete radio silence.
Veronica had no knowledge of how Cullen and Sabrina had spent their weekend or who had joined them.
She felt no compulsion to inquire about their activities.
Veronica offered Cook a reassuring smile. "They should arrive shortly."
In truth, she harbored serious doubts about whether they would appear at all that evening.
The hot spring retreat incident had established a concerning precedent for their absences.
Cook accepted the explanation without further questioning, trusting that Veronica stayed informed about Cullen and Sabrina's schedule.
The two women settled into comfortable conversation throughout the manor. As seven-thirty approached, Cullen and Sabrina remained conspicuously absent.
Cook's brow creased with growing irritation. "What could possibly be keeping them?"
The memory of Cullen's previous no-show at the hot spring retreat clearly rankled her.
Her displeasure became increasingly apparent as she turned to Veronica. "Try calling them, Ver."
Veronica reluctantly retrieved her phone and dialed Cullen's number.
He answered on the first ring.
Before she could speak, he anticipated her purpose with practiced efficiency. "We'll be there within twenty minutes."
As Veronica prepared to respond, Sabrina's voice drifted clearly through the phone connection.
Veronica's gaze dropped to the floor. Her suspicions were confirmed - they had been spending time with Niall.
Moments later, Niall's voice joined the conversation with matching warmth. "Goodbye, Sa."
Then Niall addressed Cullen directly, her tone notably softer and more intimate. "I should head home now."
"All right," Cullen replied.
Almost immediately, Cullen's voice returned to the phone, cold and businesslike as he spoke to Veronica. "Was there something else you needed?"
She jolted back to awareness. "No, nothing else."
Veronica moved to end the call, but Cullen disconnected first, leaving her listening to dead air.
She released a quiet sigh of resignation.
"Don't tell me he's standing us up again," Cook demanded, her fury building. "Cullen really is impossible..."
"No, that's not it," Veronica quickly intervened, forcing brightness into her voice. "They're just delayed by traffic. Twenty minutes at most."
Cook's expression softened marginally at this news.
Despite her relief, frustration still colored her words. "Fine then. Let's start dinner without him. He can eat whatever's left when he finally shows up."
Carlos cleared his throat diplomatically. "Ms. Dennis is traveling with him as well..."
Cook paused, considering this reminder, then nodded grudgingly. "I suppose I'll show mercy this time, for Sa's sake."
Veronica smiled but kept her thoughts to herself, saying nothing in response.