Vespers was silent for a moment before saying, ''Please don''t use me as your excuse. If you don''t want to go, tell your mother yourself. I''m getting off work now. Dominic''s eyes darkened, unreadable.


    Only when the elevator doors opened did he straighten up. Then, he walked out with his unual cold elegance.


    Vespera heard him sigh under his breath and say, she''s really determined to send me on a blind date.


    Wspera was confused.


    How many times did she have to tell him? It was his mother pushing this, not her!


    Why was she always the one getting med?


    Just because he was the boss didn''t mean he could twist the truth!


    In the parking garage, Calvert was leaning casually against the car, waiting for them.


    Once they got in, he asked, “Back to the apartment?"


    "No. Mr. Reid''s going on a blind date today," Vespera replied, then gave him the restaurant''s address.


    Calvert was shocked. "A blind date? You''re going with him?"


    Once again, Vespera jast smiled and stayed quiet.


    Then, she waved a hand and instructed, "Just drive,"


    Calvert looked like he was still in shock as he started the car. He nced nervously in the earview mirror from time to time.


    Dominic closed his eyes


    s the moment he got in the car.


    His cold, sculpted features seemed shrouded in a thin vell of ice. He looked like a reluctant courtesan being forced to entertain by the beachel''s madam-full of


    resentment, yet unable to resist.


    Vespera could only watch, helpless.


    She had wanted to go and exin things to Alex that moming Dominic had said it was no big deal. But clearly, someone had reported it straight to Samuel and


    Fawn


    And now, suddenly, it was a big deal. As if Dominic could out match his own parents.


    Just then, her phone buzzed


    Reba had sent her a voice recording of an eavesdropped conversation. That


    gid couldn''t wait to share thetest gossip with her.


    Vespera plugged in her earphones and tapped y.


    A conversation between Tina and ire came through.


    "This is a protective amulet I got from the fortune-teller It''ll keep you safe. Wear it."


    "It''s hideous. I''m not wearing it


    "Be good and listen to me. You must wear it at all times, even while you sleep. Otherwise Quentin Cruz wille for you." "Mom, what are you talking about? Quentin? He''s been dead for ages What''s he going to do, haunt me as a


    is a ghost?"