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 of the road, she slammed on the

sat inside, smoking, white tendrils curling against his sharp

His expression was terrifying.

Vespera's mind raced.

up next to him, she had already thought of a

Taking the initiative, she spoke first, her voice cold and direct. "What are you doing here?

his phone from the dashboard, and tossed

picked it up and saw the resident list from Lanton

"I've worked for years. What's wrong with buying myself a place? I paid

her attempt to shift the conversation. "Vespera, don't play games with me. Is this about money? Why did you buy that apartment,

wanted a home that truly belonged to me, with my name on the deed. Is

accused her of being after

a sharp, bitter laugh. "Have I ever been stingy with you? The jewelry and gifts I've

She said nothing.

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

smile. "How

focus on the money, turn a blind eye to his betrayals, and be the unfeeling woman who does nothing but

But deep down, she knew she could never accept a life

"I'm not in the mood to buy anything right now. When I am, I'll ask

she was about to pull her hand away, Luke caught her wrist and turned to look at her.

herself, "You're

infuriating and ridiculous. She smiled, bright and carefree. "Trust? What does that matter? As long as

She withdrew her hand.

then, her phone

Raymond was

his gaze sharpening. "You ignore my calls, and

no choice, she pulled out her

up with

he saw the caller ID. "Go

she was calling. The deadline was approaching, and Felicia was likely checking

out.

"I'm with your son right

she had been about to say. "No need. I was just

of my bags for cleaning, so I'm

"Thank you."

after

did you and my mother get along

Or would you

way of deflecting, twisting

Luke's anger had

eased

he

paid close

even glanced

nor had she shown

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 his control in

ways.

money made her independent. That was just a