Chapter 342 Vespera blinked, a trace of shyness flickering in her eyes. She gave a quiet, almost inaudible hum in acknowledgment.
Dominic's gaze hardened, chilling to the core.
"Mr. Reid, I'll get back to work." Vespera straightened, her posture regaining its usual poise. With the tablet in hand, she turned and walked out, each step firm and unwavering.
Dominic's fury erupted.
It wasn't just the denial-she was outright rejecting any responsibility.
The morning passed in a blur.
Vespera entered and exited Dominic's office several times.
One moment, she'd cin to inform him of an upcoming meeting; the next, she was delivering the requested documents, only to return soon after with another cup of coffee.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtGerard certainly buzzed around him like a busy bee.
Whenever Dominic asked Vespera something, she answered with a bright, unwavering smile.
If he remained silent, she'd quietly leave after setting down what she was carrying.
A luncheon was scheduled for noon.
Both Vespera and Gerard attended.
The executives at the table were unyielding in their attempts to get everyone to drink, pushing the limits to an almost maddening degree.
Throughout the meal, Vespera did her best to shield Gerard from the pressure— she couldn't let him bear the burden alone.
Dominic intervened several times, but no matter how many times he raised his glass, Vespera would quickly take it from him and drink it herself.
By the end of the meal, Vespera's cheeks were flushed, while Gerard had bolted for the restroom to vomit. "Gerard, are you okay?" Vespera called out.
She stumbled a few steps forward. Dominic quickly stepped in to steady her, guiding her out of the restaurant and into the car.
"Why did you drink when I told you not to?" he asked.
Vespera tilted her head, her words slurring. "If I'm not drinking, then it's either you or Gerard... So what's the point of my being here? After all, I'm your secretary." "...Vespera, are you saying you don't want to be my girlfriend anymore?" "I never meant to be responsible for you," she muttered.
Dominic's heart clenched. He grabbed her face, turning it to face him. "What did you just say?" "What's the problem? Isn't that what you said? I'm allowed to do things my way, right? Why should I be responsible for you?" she replied, poking his chest.
"Honestly, I never saw you as my boyfriend. I'm rich, single, and independent- why complicate things? I'm not a masochist." Dominic held her gaze for a long, tense moment. "Did your parents say something to you?" Vespera shrugged his hand away, turning her back to him. With her eyes closed, she mumbled lazily, "If you can handle it, fine. If you're not happy, just end it. Neither of us loses." The moment she finished, he pulled her forward.
A forceful kiss landed on her lips.
She didn't pull away, her arms loosely wrapping around his neck.
After a lingering kiss, Dominic pulled back, his gaze locking with hers-his eyes were deep and intense, like an ocean's vortex pulling her in.
"Who said no one would lose? I've already lost. Even if you ran to the moon, I'd bring you back." Vespera froze, caught off guard.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAfter a long pause, her lips lifted into a faint smile.
"You've misunderstood. I never said I wanted to run away. I'm enjoying our ttogether, and I'd like to..." She paused, tracing a path over his abs. "Enjoy it a little longer." Dominic's expression grew icy.
He grabbed her wrist, his gaze piercing through her in a long, silent pause.
What had made her retreat back into her shell?
Outside the car window, Gerard was being supported by two waiters as he stumbled out of the restaurant. He made his way toward the car, phone in hand, about to make a call.
The sudden ringtone startled Vespera, causing her to pull away from Dominic.
She settled into the seat beside him, answering the phone in a quiet voice, e "We're already in the car." Dominic's eyes remained fixed on her phone.
Could it be...? The rest of the afternoon, Dominic remained as cold and unyielding as an iceberg.
He skipped his usual nap, his attention fixed solely on work.
Aside from Vespera and Gerard, still recovering from their lunch-induced hangovers everyone else who The ever content is on novelenglish.net! approached him felt the oppressive weight of his mood.
By evening, Dominic returned to the Reid residence.