My Coldhearted Husband’s Regret

Maverick's voice cut through the air with chilling precision. "What were you two talking about?"

Cullen responded with an easy chuckle, maintaining his composed demeanor. "We hadn't actually started our conversation yet."

Before Maverick could formulate a response, Veronica brushed past him without so much as acknowledging his presence, heading straight for the exit.

Maverick watched her retreating figure before turning back to Cullen, his eyes landing on the two drinks in the man's hands. "Those are...?"

"Custom cocktails," Cullen explained smoothly. "Would you care to sample one, Mr. Harris?"

Maverick hesitated momentarily. "Was the second one intended for Ms. Crystal?"

Before Maverick could continue, Cullen suddenly interrupted, "Excuse me for a moment, Mr. Harris. Please make yourself comfortable." With that, he started walking away.

Following Cullen's gaze, Maverick spotted Niall standing beside Dario, with Veronica approaching them. The realization hit him—was Cullen rushing over because he feared Niall might face hostility from Veronica and Dario? This thought creased Maverick's brow as he followed in Cullen's wake.

Niall had barely reached Dario's side when Veronica returned. Choosing to act as if Veronica were invisible, Niall addressed Dario directly. "Mr. Reid—"

"You're back?" Dario cut her off, completely ignoring Niall as his attention focused entirely on Veronica. "Is everything alright?"

He'd noticed Cullen heading in Veronica's direction earlier and had wanted to follow, but Niall had intercepted him.

Veronica gave a small shake of her head. "Nothing happened."

Just as Cullen had mentioned, Maverick's arrival had prevented any meaningful exchange between them. Naturally, there was nothing to report.

At that moment, both Cullen and Maverick approached the group.

Cullen extended the second cocktail to Niall. "What were you discussing?" he asked.

Niall's expression softened at the sight of him. Taking the offered drink, she smiled. "I was hoping to get some advice from Mr. Reid, but didn't get the chance to bring it up."

Cullen nodded before turning to Dario. "Mr. Reid, when might you be available for a meal together?"

His intention was clear—arranging a private meeting between Niall and Dario.

Veronica's expression frosted over at the suggestion.

Dario released a sharp laugh, his tone glacial. "I'm afraid I'm not available—not now, not ever."

Without allowing anyone to respond, he turned to Veronica. "Ver, let's go."

She nodded, not sparing the others another glance as she departed with him.

Maverick had initially harbored concerns about a potential connection between Cullen and Niall. However, witnessing Cullen's attentiveness toward Niall and his efforts to facilitate a meeting between her and Dario, Maverick realized his suspicions were unfounded.

The tension between Dario and Niall wasn't personal—Dario simply stood as Veronica's staunchest ally at present. If Cullen successfully mediated a reconciliation between Niall and Dario, Veronica would lose her primary advantage. For Niall, this would undoubtedly be beneficial.

A short distance away, Dario clicked his tongue. "Are you certain you're alright?"

Veronica nodded firmly. "I'm fine."

Compared to her past experiences, this encounter barely registered.

"Ready to leave?" Dario asked.

They'd already planned their departure earlier, not anticipating this brief complication before their exit.

Veronica nodded in agreement. "Let's go." Before leaving, they approached Marco to say their goodbyes.

Marco was surprised by their early departure but recognized that Veronica wasn't one who thrived in social settings. Rather than press her to stay, he simply offered, "I'll walk you out."