My Coldhearted Husband’s Regret

Vincent's expression brightened instantly when he spotted Niall approaching their table. He practically jumped from his seat to greet her. "Ms. Crystal, what a pleasant surprise."

Niall offered a polished smile, acknowledging Vincent with a brief nod before directing her attention to both men. "Cullen is hosting a dinner for my entire team this evening. I was wondering if Mr. Reid and Mr. Jasmine would care to join us."

Her gaze deliberately swept past Veronica as if she were invisible, not even acknowledging her presence at the table.

Vincent's eyes lit up with interest, clearly eager to accept the invitation. However, he hesitated, stealing a quick glance toward Dario and Veronica to gauge their reactions.

Dario responded without hesitation. "Ms. Crystal, thank you for thinking of us, but we've already made other arrangements for tonight."

Niall's carefully maintained composure wavered for just a moment. Her brow furrowed slightly as disappointment flickered across her features. "Mr. Reid..." She paused, clearly not expecting such a firm rejection despite all her previous attempts to capture his interest.

Her attention shifted to Veronica, who sat calmly beside Dario, taking measured sips from her water glass with apparent indifference to the entire exchange.

When Veronica sensed Niall's scrutinizing stare, she lifted her eyes and met it with an icy, unwavering gaze of her own. The silent tension stretched between the two women for several heartbeats before Niall finally looked away.

Niall's mind raced with frustration. What exactly did this woman possess that kept Dario so fiercely loyal to her side? Beyond her admittedly attractive appearance, what qualities could Veronica possibly have that rivaled Niall's own impressive credentials and undeniable charm?

Faced with Dario's unwavering refusal, Niall forced her professional smile back into place, determined not to let her irritation show. "Perhaps another time then."

Without another word or even a cursory farewell glance toward Vincent or Veronica, she turned on her heel and strode away with practiced elegance.

Vincent watched her departure with a mixture of confusion and mild offense. "She certainly carries herself with quite a bit of attitude, doesn't she?"

While Niall undoubtedly had impressive qualifications that justified some level of confidence, Vincent couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between her behavior and Cullen's. Even as the actual owner and CEO of Stellar, Cullen consistently treated every employee with respect and courtesy during their interactions.

Dario gave a noncommittal shrug. "I've observed that about her."

The truth was, Niall conducted herself as though she had already secured ownership of Stellar. Even without Cullen's explicit support behind her, she maintained an air of superiority that seemed to stem from her unwavering belief in her own exceptional worth and indispensability.

A short while later, Cullen himself approached their table, apparently having received word from Niall about Dario's decline. He extended his hand in a gesture of professional courtesy and spoke with genuine warmth. "We're heading out now for dinner. I do hope you'll be able to join us on a future occasion, Mr. Reid."

Dario paused momentarily before responding. "Certainly, I'd be happy to."

Cullen's smile widened as he cast a brief, almost imperceptible glance in Veronica's direction before rejoining Niall and her assembled team members who waited near the restaurant entrance.

Following their lunch meeting, both Veronica and Dario made their way back to Stellar's offices to continue their afternoon work.

Niall and her team remained absent for an extended period, not returning from their lengthy dinner engagement until much later in the day.

As six o'clock approached, Veronica and Dario had completed their immediate tasks and prepared to conclude their workday. While numerous projects still required attention, they had sufficient time over the coming days to address the remaining items without any pressing urgency.

In stark contrast, Niall and her team appeared deeply engrossed in their work, showing no indication of slowing down or preparing to leave anytime soon.

Vincent observed their continued activity with interest. "From what I've heard, they're planning to pull an all-nighter to meet their deadlines."

Dario responded with characteristic indifference. "I see."

Veronica gathered her belongings efficiently. "We should head out."

Dario's expression softened as he looked at her. "How about letting me take you to dinner tonight?"

Veronica shook her head politely. "Thank you, but I already have commitments this evening."

Cook had specifically requested her presence at Dennis Estate for the family dinner, and Veronica had no intention of disappointing her.

Upon arriving at the manor, she discovered that both Cullen and Sabrina had already returned home. Cullen's early arrival surprised her considerably, as she had assumed he would remain at the office working alongside Niall and her dedicated team.

When Cullen noticed her entrance, he acknowledged her with a brief, measured look before immediately returning his attention to the laptop screen before him.

As the family gathered around the dining table for their evening meal, Cullen settled into the chair beside Veronica. She observed him scrolling through messages on his phone with apparent urgency. After several minutes of watching his distracted behavior, she decided to break the silence.

"Do you have any free time after dinner? There's something important I need to discuss with you."