Dominic pulled Vespera back and made a silencing gesture.


    Vespera blinked in contusion


    He led her back into the living room and sat her on the couch, Leaning inclose, he whispered in her ear, "it might be Lake."


    Vespera nked in surprise. "What?"


    There was no way Loke would be showing up at this hour. It just didn''t make sense. The thought of him being bored enough to seek ate-night conversation seemedpletely unrealistic


    "I think "Vespera started, but before she could finish, Dominic gave her another silencing gesture.


    His expression was serious, and she had no choice but to lean closer to him, whispering. "There''s no way it''s him "


    Doneraised an eyebrow. "Want to bet?"


    Vespers frowned. "I don''t want to be."


    His words carried a yful yet dangerous undertone, like he was setting her up


    Dominic eyed her carefully, clearly amused by her cautious demeanor. He couldn''t resist reaching over and lightly pinching her cheek


    He said, "You have no sense of adventure, do you? I haven''t even told you what the stakes are yet."


    With resolve in her eyes, Vespera quiddy replied, "I don''t want to bet"


    with res


    "If you win, I tell you where Jade''s real grandmother went


    Vespera''s eves widened in shock She was taken aback by how he knew that


    an elderly woman she had hired to lead


    Earlier that aftemon, Dominic had whispered in her ear that the woman in the courtyard wasn''t Jade''s grandmother but an elderly them to the vige.


    At the time, Vespera had her doubts about jade, but she hadn''t been sure enough to make any conclusions.


    "Will you be? Dominicasked again.


    Vespera hesitated, then asked, "What if I love..?


    She hesitated, wondering what would happen if she lost. She was afraid that Dominic would ask something unreasonable. Dominic seemed to read her thoughts and sighed. "Don''t worry. If you lose, all you have to do is take a walk with me downstairs. She thought "A wall? That was it?"


    "Deal!" Vespera responded with confidence, as if she were all in, ready to put berchips on the table.


    She wasn''t afraid of a walk-she could handle a marathon if needed.


    Dominic grabbed her hand, leading her toward the door.


    He gestard for her to take a look


    Vesper took a deep breath, feeling the tension as she pressed her eye against the peephole


    At this moment, whether Luke was outside or not was crucial-it would decide her victory, her honor. She had to win.


    Vespera peeked through the beephole and saw a hotel staff member in unifom.


    There was no way it could have been Lake.


    Dominic smiled affectionately, gently rubbing the back of her neck. "You''re that happy about wi


    "Of course!" Vespera''s eyes were bright with excitement.


    Dominic opened the door. "Mr. Reid, your friend asked me to deliver this bottle of red wine to you."


    "Thanks," Dominic replied at he took the red wine from the staff member.


    The staff member nced at Vespera behind him, then returned his gaze to Dominic before walking away with a smile, Dominic dosed the door.


    Vespera was curious. "Do you have friends staying at this hotel?


    Dominic looked at the bottle of red wine in his hand and led nonchntly. "Well, I should have one, I guras "


    Vrapera blinked in confusion. She thought, "Should? What does that even mean? He doesn''t know?"


    Donic went to open the red wine. "It would be a shame not to drink the wine and sent. Want a ss, Ms. Gidon?"


    *No, no, I''m fine." Vespera waved her hand.


    De didn''t press her. He took a w and


    ad poured some wine into it.


    Sering that he was serious about drinking it, Vesers stepped forward to stop him. "You shouldn''t drink, Mr. Reid. What if there''s something bad in it?”


    He had no sense of caution at all. Thest time, when he drank the water that had been spiked with something at the esot, that was one thing-after all, no one had expected the bottled water in his room to be switched out.


    "Chapter 240


    But this red wine was delivered so suspiciously.


    "With you around, I''m not worried, Dominic said.


    "But Lam!" Vespera blurted our before she could stop herself.


    She froze for a moment, realizing what she had just said. Dominic''s expression


    turned yful as he watched her.