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

inside, smoking, white tendrils curling against his sharp

His expression was terrifying.

Vespera's mind raced.

the time she pulled up next to him,

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

phone from the dashboard,

saw the resident list from Lanton Residences on

handed the phone back. "I've worked for years. What's wrong with buying myself a place? I paid the down payment with my

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

you. I wanted a home

then, the Munoz family accused her of being after their wealth

been stingy with you?

She said nothing.

handful of black and gold cards, tossing them onto her lap. "You want to buy property? Go ahead. Buy as many as you want. Put your name on every single one

out a faint smile. "How generous of you, Mr.

should just focus on the money, turn a blind eye to his betrayals, and be the unfeeling

But deep down, she knew she could never accept a life that felt like

and carefully placed each card back inside. "I'm not in the mood to buy anything right now.

her hand away,

thought to herself, "You're just realizing

and ridiculous. She smiled, bright and carefree. "Trust? What does

She withdrew her hand.

then, her phone

Raymond was calling because she hadn't

sharpening. "You ignore my calls, and

she pulled out her

with a

the caller ID. "Go ahead and

The deadline was approaching, and Felicia was likely checking in to make

out.

with your son right now. Do you

whatever she had been about to say. "No need. I was just calling to ask if you still want that bag you were

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

"Thank you."

ended after just a

look. "Since when did you and

thing? Or would you rather

deflecting, twisting words to sidestep

Luke's anger had

eased

he

resident list, he had paid close attention to her

glanced

nor had she

concern about him.

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

just throwing a tantrum, trying to slip

ways.

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