The morning after, Veronica ascended the stairs following breakfast to find her daughter engrossed in a video call with Cullen.
Sabrina glanced up, noticing her mother's arrival. "Mom's here," she announced cheerfully.
Veronica acknowledged her with a gentle hum before settling down and opening her laptop.
"Any special plans for today?" Cullen's voice emanated from the phone.
Sprawled comfortably on the bed, Sabrina's face lit up. "I'm super excited to see a movie! Mom's taking me this afternoon!"
Veronica immersed herself in the project materials she had meticulously organized the previous day, barely registering the conversation.
Shortly after, Sabrina approached, phone extended. "Mom, Dad wants to talk to you."
Pausing her work, Veronica reluctantly took the device. After a quick glance at Cullen's face on screen, she positioned the phone on her desk with the camera pointing upward. "What is it?" she asked, her tone neutral.
"I wanted to thank you for looking after Sa these past few days," Cullen said.
Veronica offered no response, her fingers continuing their dance across the keyboard as she incorporated ideas she'd missed documenting yesterday.
"Anything else?" she prompted after a moment of silence.
"No," Cullen replied. "Enjoy your Bloom Celebration."
Muttering a brief acknowledgment, Veronica ended the call and returned the phone to Sabrina.
As midday approached and she prepared to leave with her daughter, her phone rang. Seeing Dario's name flash across the screen, a small smile played on her lips.
"You won't believe who I just ran into again," Dario whispered urgently the moment she answered.
Veronica froze, instantly understanding who he meant.
Before she could formulate a response, Dario hissed, "They've spotted me and they're heading this way. Gotta go."
"Okay," Veronica managed before the call disconnected.
In that exact moment, Cullen and Niall reached Dario at the airport lounge.
"Where are you headed, Mr. Reid?" Cullen inquired.
Dario didn't bother answering directly. Instead, he offered a strained smile. "Mr. Dennis, Ms. Crystal, I believe we've established we aren't friends. Feel free to simply walk past me next time."
Niall released a light laugh. "Mr. Reid, your candor is always refreshing."
Raising an eyebrow, Dario prepared a retort when Niall noticed his luggage. "Traveling abroad, Mr. Reid?"
He released a dry laugh. "Since we're not exactly on chatting terms, I'll decline to comment."
Without waiting for their reaction, he grabbed his suitcase and strode away, leaving them behind in the VIP lounge.
Once at a safe distance, he immediately called Veronica again. "What are you up to now?"
Veronica, freshly changed, replied, "Just about to head out for a movie."
"Alone?" he questioned.
"With Sa," she clarified.
Dario fell silent momentarily.
"Wait, wasn't she supposed to be celebrating the Bloom Celebration with the Dennis? Why is she with you?"
While perfecting her makeup, Veronica replied matter-of-factly, "They dropped her off at my place last night."
Dario couldn't contain his disdain. "So Cullen wants quality time with Niall, but your daughter becomes an inconvenience, so they just dump her at your doorstep? Unbelievable. The audacity."
Veronica remained silent.
Just then, Sabrina bounded over, tugging at her mother's hand. "I'm all set, Mom! Let's go!"
"Alright," Veronica acquiesced.
Returning her attention to the call, she advised Dario, "Don't waste energy on them. Enjoy your trip."
Dario sighed audibly. "I hear you. Don't worry, I'll be back soon—won't leave all the company responsibilities on your shoulders."
With a genuine laugh, Veronica responded, "I'm counting on it."