The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Chapter 399 "What are your plans? If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word." Victoria's gaze softened as she looked at Stein. He was the only family she had left in the world. She never would've imagined she'd still have someone so close and trustworthy by her side in this lifetime.

"You've already done more than enough for me, big brother." Victoria was no longer afraid of Simms. If she'd hesitated in the past, it was only because she couldn't ignore the fact that Simms's blood ran in her veins. But now that it was clear Simms had no ties to the Turner family, she felt justified in doing whatever needed to be done.

Just then, the sound of voices erupted at the front door. A group of people clamored to get inside, leaving the housekeeper at a loss.

Yasmine went to check and saw Osborn, Lyndon, and the rest of the crew from the racing team piling in.

A moment ago, the living room had been empty and quiet; suddenly, it was buzzing with life.

It was the first tany of the guys had seen Victoria with her noticeably pregnant belly, and they all stared in surprise-except for Osborn, whose expression was pure envy.

"If only you'd agreed to marryback then," Osborn quipped, tossing out a verbal grenade. "Since I can't be the real dad, I'm calling dibs on being godfather." That set the whole room off.

"We want to be godfathers too! How many can you have at once? Maybe we should all get a turn!" someone joked, and laughter erupted.

Victoria glared at them.

"I'm not a sow, you know. Having twins is already more than enough. Can't you guys get serious for a second? Why don't you go find yourselves sgirlfriends? You're not getting any younger-it's about tyou settled down." Lyndon, usually the quiet one, couldn't take his eyes off Victoria's belly. "If it's a boy, the racing team's got him covered." Victoria blinked. "Cagain?" One of the guys clapped a hand on Lyndon's shoulder. "We'll teach him to race and fix cars, of course! Just picture it a little guy tearing up the track with us, wearing a kid-sized racing suit. He could ride in the front seat- or even on the roof! With Victoria's kid, he's bound to be a looker. He'll be our team mascot for sure." Victoria rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. They were treating her child like a toy.

Osborn piped up, "I don't care if it's a boy or a girl, I want to be godparent either way!" Stein watched the chaos with a faint smile, then said, "You all have fun. I'll be heading out now." It was only then that everyone seemed to notice he was still in the room.

"Take care!" the racing crew chorused, though their voices were cool, tinged with wariness.

Osborn, on the other hand, was all grins. "Don't be a stranger, brother-in-law! Chang out with us more often!" The room went quiet for a beat.

Osborn looked around. "What? Why are you all staring at me?" Lyndon's face darkened. "Who are you calling brother-in-law?" Osborn shrugged, glancing at Stein. "Stein-Victoria's big brother." He watched everyone's reaction and suddenly understood the awkward tension. Lyndon liked Victoria-everyone on the team knew it, and they were all rooting for him.

"One's last nis Turner, the other's Campbell. Who'd believe it?" someone muttered.

Osborn paused, then looked at Lyndon's face and nearly burst out laughing. "Wait, are you tellingyou thought my brother-in-law here was ssort of secret rival?" Victoria pressed her fingers to her temples, a headache blossoming.

"Enough already. What are you all doing here, anyway?" She was fairly certain Stein had let slip that she was in Echo City. He must have worried she'd be bored or lonely here, so he'd rounded up this raucous bunch to keep her company. He'd thought of everything-except, apparently, for how annoying they could be.

At that moment, Victoria wished she could ask the housekeeper to throw them all out.

Their nonstop chatter seemed to wake the baby, too. She could feel little kicks and rolls in her belly, as if her child was just as restless as the crowd outside.

"We're here to bond with your little one, of course! Got to make sure the baby knows us before he or she arrives." They promptly produced a mountain of gifts, each one tagged: "To my dearest baby. With love, your godfathers."

Victoria's smile trembled as her eyes filled with tears. Her child would be .O born with a silver spoon in his mouth-and, more importantly, surrounded by a family that loved him. The gang stayed at Victoria's house all day, only leaving after dinner that night.

*** The next day A private jet touched down on the rooftop helipad of the most luxurious five-star hotel in Evermore City.

McNeil stepped out, and the hotel manager hustled over with a gaggle of staff.

"Mr. Langford, Mr. Campbell is already resting in his suite. Would you liketo let him know you're here?" McNeil shot him a withering look. "You'd notify Mr. Campbell? You?" The manager instantly fell silent, realizing he'd overstepped. People would kill for a chance to meet Mr. Campbell-who was he to go around announcing visits? McNeil straightened his suit jacket and strode forward.

He sent Maynard to track down Stein's security detail, and only after a lengthy negotiation did they agree to pass on his message. McNeil had no intention of leaving without seeing Stein.

Stein didn't make things difficult, though. He simply let McNeil into his suite.