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.

on the side of the road,

white tendrils curling

His expression was terrifying.

Vespera's mind raced.

to him,

in. Taking the initiative, she

phone from the dashboard, and tossed it

saw the resident list from Lanton Residences

she handed the phone back. "I've worked for years. What's wrong with buying myself a place? I paid the down payment with my own money. Not a single

don't play games with me. Is this

tell you. I wanted a home that truly belonged to me, with my name

accused her of being after their wealth and forced her

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

She said nothing.

lap. "You want to buy property? Go ahead. Buy as many as you

smile.

money, turn a blind eye to his betrayals, and

she knew she could never accept a

beside her and carefully placed each card back inside. "I'm not in the mood

placed the wallet back on his lap. Just as she was about to pull her hand away, Luke caught her wrist and turned to look

thought to herself, "You're just

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

She withdrew her hand.

her phone

if Raymond was calling

"You ignore my calls, and now you're

with no choice, she

screen lit up with a name—"Mrs. Munoz",

expression eased slightly when he saw the caller

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

out.

picked up. "I'm with your son right now. Do you

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

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

"Thank you."

ended after just

look. "Since when did

would you

of deflecting, twisting words to sidestep the

Luke's anger had

eased

When he

had paid close attention

even glanced

nor had

concern about him.

her secret purchase. That meant her living in the same building as Dominic was likely

to

ways.

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