My Coldhearted Husband’s Regret

Nate found himself momentarily captivated by the stunning woman who had just entered the banquet hall. Veronica's appearance was breathtaking, her elegant silhouette drawing every eye in the room. But the moment recognition dawned, his admiration curdled into something cold and bitter. Beneath that flawless exterior lay something twisted and corrupt. The realization killed his interest instantly, and he deliberately turned his attention elsewhere.

Maverick experienced a similar reaction. For a brief second, Veronica's beauty had struck him speechless. Then reality crashed back, bringing with it the memory of her true nature. His face contorted with revulsion as he forced himself to look away, unable to stomach the sight of her any longer.

Kolton, however, seemed immune to such concerns. Veronica was exactly his type, and he lingered over the view with obvious appreciation. When he noticed Maverick's dramatic reaction, curiosity got the better of him. "What's eating you? You look like you've seen something disgusting. Did she do something to you recently?"

Edric also withdrew his gaze, his expression carefully neutral.

Maverick needed no further encouragement. He launched into a detailed account of the incident at DataPulse from several days prior, his voice growing more heated as he recounted each humiliating detail.

When he finished, Kolton whistled low. "Well, I'll be damned. Never would have pegged Ms. Murray for that type of player."

Edric set down his glass thoughtfully. "Perhaps there's some history between her and Ms. Crystal that we're not aware of. These things rarely happen in a vacuum."

Maverick's jaw tightened. "History or not, that doesn't give her the right to weaponize her position for personal vendettas."

Sensing the conversation heading toward dangerous territory, Edric chose discretion over continued speculation.

Across the room, Veronica and Dario had become the center of a growing crowd. The city's elite pressed close, each person eager to curry favor with the man of the hour.

Dario handled the attention with practiced grace. "You're all far too generous with your praise. DataPulse's achievements are the product of countless dedicated individuals working toward a common goal."

He turned toward Veronica, his eyes warming as they settled on her face. "Particularly Veronica. Her contributions have been absolutely essential to our success."

The technology driving everything from the ECHO project to their most recent breakthroughs had her fingerprints all over it. He couldn't reveal the classified details of her involvement, naturally. Government contracts came with ironclad non-disclosure agreements that protected both the technology and the personnel involved. But he could ensure that people understood her value.

DataPulse had been thrust into the spotlight recently, and with that attention came scrutiny of everyone associated with the company. Most people knew by now that Veronica wasn't just another employee. Her relationship with Dario had elevated her to a position of significant influence within the organization.

Many had observed Dario delegating important responsibilities to her during his absences, treating her as a trusted lieutenant rather than a mere subordinate.

His public endorsement now reinforced what most had already suspected. Veronica possessed genuine business acumen that complemented her obvious physical assets.

However, his claim that DataPulse owed its current position largely to her efforts struck many as romantic hyperbole. After all, everyone knew she'd only joined the company a few months ago.

Dario was clearly a man intoxicated by love, determined to elevate his woman in the eyes of society. Given Veronica's stunning appearance and his own meteoric rise to prominence, such devotion seemed natural enough.

These private thoughts remained carefully hidden behind polished smiles and diplomatic compliments. "Ms. Murray certainly exemplifies the perfect combination of intelligence and beauty."

From her vantage point across the room, Niall observed the display with barely concealed contempt. She allowed herself a derisive snort before glancing toward Cullen, curious about his reaction to the spectacle.

Cullen had looked in Veronica's direction briefly before dismissing the scene entirely, his attention already wandering to more interesting matters.

This reaction pleased Niall immensely. She started to look away herself when she noticed Marco's intense focus on the couple receiving all the attention.

Actually, his interest was probably directed at Dario rather than Veronica. Niall knew Marco had been pursuing a partnership with DataPulse for months.

As for Veronica, Marco had made no secret of his disdain for her. His feelings toward her bordered on outright hostility. No amount of beauty could overcome that fundamental antipathy.

Marco sensed her scrutiny and shifted his attention back to their group. "Something on your mind?"

Niall's smile was carefully innocent. "Not at all."

Marco let the matter drop. The crowd around Dario and Veronica had begun to disperse slightly, creating an opening for approach. "I should pay my respects to Dario while I have the chance. Cullen, have you made a decision about the DataPulse partnership? This might be an opportune moment to make contact together."