Drunk and Daring I Kissed a Tycoon novel 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 moment she spotted that familiar Ferrari on the side of the road, she slammed on the brakes.

Luke sat inside, smoking, white tendrils curling against his sharp features.

His expression was terrifying.

Vespera's mind raced.

By the time she pulled up next to him, she had already thought of a plan.

She stepped out of her car, opened his passenger door, and slid in. Taking the initiative, she spoke first, her voice cold and direct. "What are you doing here? Are you following me?"

Luke took the cigarette from his lips, picked up his phone from the dashboard, and tossed it onto her lap. "Explain this."

Vespera picked it up and saw the resident list from Lanton Residences on the glowing screen.

Without hesitation, 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 cent of yours."

Luke's gaze darkened, unfazed by her 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 from me?"

She 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 unreasonable?"

Back then, the Munoz family accused her of being after their wealth and forced her to sign a prenuptial agreement.

Luke stilled for a moment, then let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Have I ever been stingy with you? The jewelry and gifts I've given you over the years—don't they add up to more than an apartment?"

She said nothing.

Luke pulled out his wallet and grabbed a 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 until you're satisfied."

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

Maybe she should just focus on the money, turn a blind eye to his betrayals, and be the unfeeling woman who does nothing but take his money.

It wouldn't be the worst option. But deep down, she knew she could never accept a life that felt like a dead end.