Drunk and Daring I Kissed a Tycoon novel Chapter 12

Vespera waited for Tina to finish speaking.

Her gaze was clear and cold as she looked down at her. "And what exactly makes you so superior? Is it that brain of yours that can't even handle a simple game of checkers? 

"Or the fact that you're parading around with something I discarded as if it were a prize? Or maybe you're just thrilled to be picking up a job I didn't even want?

"You even said 'our circle'… When did I ever belong to your 'we'?

"You spend your days doing nothing but acting like a stray in heat. That disgusting, rotten cesspool you call a social circle—keep it. You and Luke can rot in it together."

Her tone was light, almost casual, but every word was venom.

Tina was so furious that she nearly exploded on the spot. Her face twisted in rage, contorted into something almost unrecognizable.

She barely let Vespera finish before shrieking like a madwoman, "Shut up! I'll rip your mouth off! I'll kill you!"

She leaped from her chair, rushing at Vespera with a raised hand, ready to slap her.

Vespera didn't even flinch. She stood there, unbothered, and just as Tina was about to reach her, she swung the stack of documents in her hand, smacking them hard against Tina's face.

The impact sent Tina staggering, nearly knocking her over. Blood trickled from her nose.

"The handover is complete. Wishing you all the best in running Eclipse Group into the ground."

With that, Vespera turned on her heel and walked out.

Behind her, Tina's piercing shrieks echoed through the building. "Vespera, I won't let you get away with this! Ah!"

She clutched her nose, screaming like a lunatic.

The project team stayed frozen in place, no one daring to approach.

Once Vespera left the office and had walked a fair distance, people cautiously approached her, their faces full of worry and sympathy.

Under the pressure of the situation, Christine braced herself and slipped into the office. She quietly gathered Vespera's things, and even fished her trophies out of the trash, carefully wiping them clean before placing them into a box.

"Ms. Gildon, I'll carry these down for you," Christine said.

Looking at her, warmth spread through Vespera's chest, and her eyes grew slightly misty.

It was a dark time in her life, but at least there were still good people by her side, offering her a glimmer of light.

"Alright," she said with a smile.

The entire project team escorted her to the elevator and Christine carried her things and accompanied her to the lobby.

Before getting into the car, Vespera turned to her. "Tell everyone—just focus on their work. Don't provoke that spoiled brat. The best-case scenario is that she plays around for a while, gets bored, and leaves on her own. But if she messes up a project, report it directly to Luke.

"Don't wait for her to push the blame onto you. These projects are worth billions; none of you can afford to take the fall for her. Luke will know it's her fault. I imagine he'll handle it accordingly."

Christine nodded. "I'll make sure everyone knows."

Vespera hugged her. "Keep in touch."

As she drove away from Eclipse Group, the sky darkened, and rain began to fall. Heavy drops hit the windshield, bringing with them an unexpected wave of melancholy.

She had ten days left. It wouldn't be long now.

…

As soon as Vespera left, Tina stormed upstairs to complain.

Her older brother, Austin Sowle, happened to be there. He was taken aback to see her swollen, red nose. "What the hell happened to you?"

Tina sat between them, sobbing dramatically. "I was just trying to be nice! I made her coffee, even gave up my chair for her, but the moment she walked in, she started insulting me—calling me shameless, saying awful things about Luke too… She even calls us stray in heat.

"I didn't even talk back! I was just trying to ask her about work, but she wasn't satisfied with just yelling. She threw the documents in my face and attacked me! She knocked me to the ground and beat me!"

Luke sat silently, his expression dark and unreadable.

Austin was utterly incredulous, his anger igniting instantly. "Has she lost her damn mind? This is insane! Luke, what do you want to do about it?"

Luke finally spoke, "I'll apologize to Tina on her behalf. She's just been in a bad mood lately."

Tina thought, "That's it?"

Tina had expected him to stand up for her, maybe even drag Vespera back here for questioning. But no, that didn't happen.

Her blood boiled with frustration. "I don't want your apology! I want her to kneel and say it herself! And I want to hit her back, just as hard."