"Ms. Ciklon." Adeep, unhunded voice drifted from the slo


    Vespetamistterloeplied. "Yes, Mr. Reid. Do you need anything?"


    "Get the a bottle of water."


    Right away!


    with that, she grabbed a bottle from the car''s mini fridge, twisted off the rap, and passed it over. But instead of taking it, Dominic wedged it back toward her.


    "Here Take small sips and rx," he said. "Stop dwelling on your mistakes at work."


    Ole, the city lights sparkled, their glow painting fleeting colors across her face.


    Vespera straightened up She downeda pulp of mineral water as it taking a shot of strong liquor


    Frous the front sext, Gerard listened,pletele baffled


    A mistake? Vespera made a mistake?


    When? Who was he just now hearing about this?


    The ceased to a step at the marina. While the drivet remained behind, Vespera and Gerand followed Dominic onto the yacht


    (was aslerk, three-story luxury vessel, pristine white from bow to stem


    The first level featured an elegant business lounge, the second was dedicated to entertainment,plete with a sprawling swimming pool, and the third housed private guest


    At the very top, a secluded area boasted the best views, fornished with a phish circr sofa set


    Wating at the entrance was Paul Hnd himself. He patted Dominic''s arm, a wide smile stretching across his wrinkled face. His enthusiasm was almost unnerving


    Inside, about a dozen other distinguished guests mingled-prominent figures from the worlds of business and high society.


    Among them was a petite, striking young woman with a sun-kissedplexion, and a side that could light up the room.


    "This is my granddaughter, Joy Hnd," Paul introduced, his voice brimming with pride. “She just turned and recently returned from studying art in Ameridia. She even gradited from the same university as you, Mr. Reid"


    Vespera and Gerard remained on the deck, but therge windows offered them an obstructed view of everything that was happening inside


    As the observed the scene, they exchanged a silent, knowing nce. This wasn''t just a business event-it was a setup.


    Dominic greeted joy politely.


    Jay, however, couldn''t take her eyes off him. At just under five feet three inches, she had to tilt her head back to meet Dominic''s gaze. At six feet three inches, his call,manding presence was enough to make her pale race with exchement.


    Gerard let out a quiet sigh. "If Mr. Hnd had been upfront about his read intentions, Mr. Reid wouldn''t havee at all"


    "Well, it''s not like str. Hnd could juste out and say, "invoed you here to set you up with my granddaughter.** Vespera remarked, crossing her arms. "Besides, what if they actually hit it off? Wouldn''t that be a perfect match?


    "She''s not Mr. Reid''s pr


    "And how do you know that?-


    "Icbviously Gerard began, but his words trailed off as his gaze shifted toward the dock. His expression steed


    "Why is she here he muttered


    "Who?


    Vespera didn''teach what he said, but she followed his line of sight.


    Ahead of them, astriking woman with shoulder-length hair made her way toward


    them. She was sim, with a slender neck and a delicate Lace


    Dressed in a ck satin slip dress and holding a small ck clutch, she moved with the graceful, aloof elegance of a ck swan


    "That''s Nancy Acosta-the general manager of the branch here," Gerard said, swiftly stepping forward to greet her


    So, this was Nancy Arosta.


    Vespera hade across her name in reports before, but she hadn''t expected her to be this breathtaking in person. "Goodevening, Ms. Acosta Gerard stepped forward, blocking her path as she was about to ascend the steps.


    "Hi, Gerand? Nancy''s pane swept over him, her expression stole. "It''s been a while."


    As she moved to step around him, her eyes Landed on Vespera, and in an instant, her expression hardened


    "And who might this be?" she asked.


    Vespera remainedposed, offering her band "Nice to meet you, Ms. Acosta.


    I''m espera Gudon, Mr. Reid''s secretary


    For affecting moment, Nancy''s face grieven colder, and a hint of sorrow shed in her eyes.


    "Secretary, hub," she muttered.


    Vespera was mamentarily taken aback


    Nancy didn''t shake her hand Instead, she walked past them both without a word and headed inside.


    "What''s her deal?" vespera turned to Gerard, clearly confused


    Kinghior of Max. Bell''s close friend, tabel in the Heid family "There''s some_emotional entanglement between her and Mc. Heida kiut of love hate rtionsh


    Vesperd''s eyes widene


    No wanda Pamuk


    Therab soon set sail


    Vespera and Gerard returned to the deck.


    Inside the cabin, Dominic was the focal point, gracefully bundling the endless ttery that came his way


    He responded effortlessly, offering the asional subtle simile, showing no particr action to Nancy''s presence.


    Meanwhile, Paul deftly set the stage for joy.


    Joy seized every opportunity to engage Dominic, her admiration practically written on her face.


    Dominic maintained a polite,posed deineanor toward her, neither dismissive not overly friendly.


    Nancy stood beside him, but there was an undeniable tension in ait, as though she were straning to keepher smile in ce.