Drunk and Daring I Kissed a Tycoon

Chapter 17

Vespera opened the message.

Raymond had replied, "On Friday, I'll be accompanying Mr. Reid to a meeting at the Amara Hotel. Ms. Gildon, perhaps you could deliver the suit there."

Vespera blinked. "What does that even mean?"

A flood of questions filled her mind.

Dominic asked to meet her again, and it was at a hotel—not just any hotel, but a secluded one-so isolated that if someone screamed or even committed a crime, no one would hear a thing.

She thought, "What... exactly does Mr. Reid want?"

She refused to overthink it. It wasn't about being scared or turning down an opportunity handed to her. She simply couldn't read this man.

She had no interest in getting caught up in anything beyond her career.

After a long moment of consideration, she decided to handle it the same way he did-by ignoring it for now.

In the parking garage, Raymond sighed and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

He knew there was no need to force things, but he had a feeling that wasn't what Dominic truly wanted. Besides, he had heard from Gerard that Vespera had actively applied to be Dominic's secretary.

There had to be some misunderstanding between them.

So, he had taken the liberty of arranging this. They could only clear things up face-to-face.

But Vespera was just as stubborn.

The Bentley pulled out of the community, passing by a Ferrari parked on the side of the road.

Inside the Ferrari, Luke sat motionless.

His calls had gone unanswered. His messages were ignored. His patience was on the verge of snapping.

Moments later, the resident list for Lanton Residences, the one he had someone look into, came through on his phone.

But what shocked him first wasn't seeing Vespera's name it was the name listed for the penthouse-Dominic, the heir of the Reid family.

Luke had already heard whispers of Dominic's return.

The Reid family had always ruled over Halewick from the shadows, keeping an air of mystery. Their family members rarely appeared in public, and while Luke wasn't

in the same circle as Dominic, they had crossed paths before.

At 15 or 16, he had seen him at an event-aloof, distant, and untouchable, like a statue of polished marble.

And now, Vespera had secretly bought a place right under his penthouse.

He wondered if there was a connection between them or if it was merely a coincidence.

Luke's mind drifted back to that moment on the golf course.

...

Two hours later, Vespera finally drove out of the Lanton Residences.

spotted that familiar Ferrari on the side

tendrils curling against his sharp

His expression was terrifying.

Vespera's mind raced.

the time she pulled up next to him, she had

she spoke first, her voice cold and direct. "What

cigarette from his lips, picked up his phone from the dashboard, and tossed it onto her lap.

resident

myself a place? I paid the down payment with my own

her attempt to shift the conversation. "Vespera, don't play games with me. Is this about

"I didn't think it was necessary to tell you. I wanted a home that truly belonged to me, with my

accused her of being after their wealth

been stingy with you? The jewelry and gifts

She said nothing.

and gold cards, tossing them onto her lap. "You want to buy property? Go ahead. Buy as many as you want.

faint smile. "How generous

to his betrayals, and be the unfeeling woman who does

wouldn't be the worst option. But deep down, she knew she could never accept a life that felt

card back inside. "I'm not in the mood to buy anything right now. When I am, I'll ask you for the

placed the wallet back on his lap. Just as she was about to pull her hand

to herself, "You're just

smiled, bright and carefree. "Trust? What

She withdrew her hand.

then, her

fingers stiffened slightly. She wondered if Raymond was calling because she hadn't responded to his

"You ignore my calls, and now you're hesitating to answer someone

no choice, she pulled

up with a name—"Mrs. Munoz", Luke's

eased slightly when he saw the caller

calling. The deadline was approaching, and Felicia was

out.

your son right now. Do you want to say

paused before swallowing whatever she had been about to say. "No need. I was just calling to ask if

so I'm actually in need

"Thank you."

after just a few

her a skeptical look. "Since when did you

thing? Or would you

of deflecting, twisting words to

Luke's anger had

eased

When he

the resident list, he had paid close attention to

glanced at

had she

concern about him.

revolved around him discovering her secret purchase. That meant her living in the same building as Dominic was

tantrum, trying to slip out of

ways.

thought buying herself an apartment with her own money made her independent. That was