Ridley made no effort to engage Cullen in conversation.

Similarly, Veronica maintained her distance, offering not a single word.

Despite being completely ignored, Cullen appeared unfazed. Noticing Veronica's cup was nearly empty, he calmly lifted the teapot and replenished both her cup and Ridley's without comment.

Throughout tea time and lunch, Veronica directed her attention solely toward Ridley and Sabrina, engaging them in lively conversation while pointedly excluding Cullen.

It wasn't entirely clear whether Cullen had picked up on her deliberate avoidance or if he simply had no interest in speaking with her. The result was the same either way—complete silence between them.

As the afternoon visit at the Norman manor approached its end, the realization struck Veronica that she and Cullen had spent nearly four hours in the same room without exchanging a single word.

Ridley had noticed this uncomfortable dynamic as well.

Yet Cullen showed no inclination to address the elephant in the room, and Veronica had clearly moved past any desire to reconnect. Ridley hadn't invited them over to play peacemaker between estranged spouses. If they had nothing to say to each other, he saw no reason to force the issue.

Sabrina looked up at her mother with hopeful eyes. "Are you coming home today, Mom?"

Her voice carried a note of longing as she added, "You haven't been home in such a long time."

Ridley released a soft, barely audible sigh at Sabrina's innocent question.

Cullen remained completely silent, his expression revealing nothing.

Veronica gently stroked Sabrina's cheek, her touch tender despite the uncomfortable situation. "I've got some matters to attend to, Sa. I won't be going back home."

"Oh..." Disappointment clouded Sabrina's face as her shoulders slumped slightly. "Are you going to Granny's house then, or are you going on another business trip? I tried calling you before, but I couldn't reach you. I went to Granny's place hoping to find you there, but she told me you were away on business."

The revelation that Sabrina had gone searching for her at the Murray residence last week caught Veronica by surprise. She hadn't known her daughter had been looking for her so desperately.

Veronica had already planned to visit Mary and the rest of her family later that day for dinner. The thought of Sabrina going all the way to the Murray house simply because she missed her mother made Veronica's resolve waver.

After a moment's hesitation, she offered, "I'm heading to Granny's place later. Would you like to come with me?"

"Yes!" Sabrina's face immediately brightened with excitement.

The invitation had clearly lifted Sabrina's spirits—she had been afraid her mother was about to rush off to work again, leaving her behind.

Veronica glanced meaningfully at Cullen, who understood the silent communication and turned to Sabrina. "So, you'll be staying at your granny's tonight as well?"

"Yup!" Sabrina confirmed enthusiastically.

"Alright," Cullen replied with a gentle smile. "I'll arrange for someone to pick you up from school tomorrow."

"I don't want that!" Sabrina protested quickly. "I want to go back to Granny's after school tomorrow too!"

Cullen chuckled softly, exchanging a brief glance with Veronica before responding, "That's something you'll have to ask your mom about—I don't have the authority to make that decision."

Sabrina immediately wrapped her arms around Veronica's leg, looking up at her with pleading eyes. "Are you leaving Granny's again tomorrow?"

"Yes," Veronica answered honestly.

"Okay then..." Sabrina accepted with reluctance.

After resolving the arrangements, they spent a little more time conversing with Ridley before finally departing in separate directions.

The following morning, after dropping Sabrina off at school, Veronica headed to work.

As the elevator doors slid open at the lobby, Veronica found herself stepping inside to join Cullen and his assistant Frank, who were already there.

The three of them stood in uncomfortable silence, all maintaining the pretense of being complete strangers despite their complex history.

Around eleven o'clock, Cullen departed from the building. After his exit, Dario visited Veronica's office, having heard she had returned to work.

As they concluded their discussion about current projects, Veronica's mind drifted back to the awkward elevator encounter from earlier. "Has the deal with Dennis Group not been finalized yet?" she inquired.

"It has been," Dario confirmed. "But there were some complications regarding the division of responsibilities. He came by to negotiate a few terms that needed clarification."