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.

the

smoking, white tendrils curling against

His expression was terrifying.

Vespera's mind raced.

she pulled up next to him,

out of her car, opened his passenger door, and slid in. Taking the initiative, she spoke first, her voice cold

phone from the

it up and saw the resident list from Lanton Residences on

for years. What's wrong with buying myself a place? I paid the down payment

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

replied, "I didn't think it was necessary to tell you. I wanted a home that truly belonged to me, with my name on the deed. Is that so

the Munoz family accused her of being after their wealth and forced her

stingy with you? The jewelry and

She said nothing.

them onto her lap. "You want to buy property? Go ahead. Buy as many as you want. Put your name on

out a faint smile. "How generous of you,

the money, turn a blind eye to his betrayals, and be the unfeeling

worst option. But deep down, she knew she could never accept

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

to pull her hand away, Luke caught her wrist and turned to look at her. "Do you

herself, "You're just realizing that

and carefree. "Trust? What does that matter? As long as you're happy,

She withdrew her hand.

then, her

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

tension in her posture, his gaze sharpening. "You ignore

she pulled out

up with a name—"Mrs.

he saw the

was approaching, and Felicia was

out.

with your son right now. Do

about to say. "No need. I was just calling

bags for cleaning, so I'm actually in need of one." "Alright.

"Thank you."

call ended after just

her a skeptical look. "Since when did you and my mother get along so

a good thing? Or would you rather I be at

way of deflecting, twisting words to sidestep

Luke's anger had

eased

he had

he had paid close attention to her

glanced

nor had she shown

concern about him.

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

was just throwing a tantrum, trying to slip out of

ways.

her own money made her independent. That was just a small act of