Chuter 282


    Vesperaet out a long breathas she finally returned to her office, copsing into her chair like she had no bones left in her body.


    She''d only been resting for a minute when her phone buzzed on the desk. She picked it up, checked the screen, and grinned before answering. Then she leaned back in her chate, soundingzy and rxed "Yaz. You''re here for the tea, aren''t you?"


    "The whole Halewick scene''s buzzing! Word is Tina got arrested in Ashford, Vera, tell me everything. Give me the scoop!" Yasmine''s voice crackled wit


    excitement.


    It was still lunchtime, and she had time, so Vespera gave her a quick rundown. Not that it mattered. Everyone would hear about it soon enough After hearing the whole story, Yasmine sighed, "Good thing she got arrested. If not, even if she married Lake, it wouldn''t have mattered. "you wouldn''t even have to provoke her, she''d stille for you. Honestly, if Lake pissed her off even alittle, she might''ve killed him to." Vespera thought that she was underestimating Luke. If it ever came to that, he might''ve been the one to take her out fist.


    But that wasn''t important now. He was probably at home with Fiona, pupping champagne.


    "Let''s just hope she actually faces justice this time."


    "wait, hold up. Why do you sound so drained? Don''t tell me you''ve been unbnced for too long and it''s starting to mess with your energy? Could she hear that? Vespers was genuinely shocked. Maybe Yasmine was the real spiritual expert here


    Yasmine had just been teasing, but when Vespera didn''t respond right away, she burst outughing.


    "Oh my god, Vera, you''re so cute. Come on, be bold! The remedy''s right there, you''d be a fool not to take it!"


    "Change the subject. Now," Vespera said quickly, clearly flustered.


    But Yasmine wasn''t about to let it go. "Why so shy? Don''t run from your desires. I mean, Dominic looks like he''d be "


    "Stop right there!" Vespera cut her off. "You''re right. I shouldn''t run from my desires. So, I''m gonna handle it myself."


    [with


    Yasmine got the message instantly. She let out a sultry, dramaticugh. "Oh, Vera... timing down a five-star gourmet dish like Dominic? That''s a crime against nature. You''relling me here."


    Then, in a sly tone, she added, "Want me to take you shopping? You clearly don''t have experience with this stuff. If you''re gonna do it, you have to go high-end. Material quality is everything


    Vespera went bright red, heat blooming across her cheeks in waves.


    Her heart was racing like Yasmine had just invited her tomit a crime-but what had to be done, had to be done. "Dinner''s on me tonight."


    "Wow, you''re moving fast."


    They quickly picked a ce to meet.


    When Vespera found out there was a high-end, ultra-discreet adult store right near the restaurant, her andety came surging back


    "We''ll eat first. I''ll send you the restaurant and store locations. I''ll even ask the owner to send us photos of the newest arrivals-" Yasmine hadn''t even finished when the office phone started ringing.


    Vespera nced at the caller ID, it was the president''s line. With a loud thud, she mmed her phone face down on the desk Two secondster, she snatched it back up, "Got it, sounds good. You take care of everything. See youter, I gotta go."


    she hung up just in time to answer the Landline. "Mr. Reid "


    "Were you napping?" Dominic''s voice came through, cool and unreadable.


    "I went to the restroom."


    "Come to my office.


    Vespera paused. "What if I don''t? she thought.


    Obviously, that wasn''t an eption.


    She snapped into her most professional tone. "Of course. I''ll be right there."


    As soon as she hung up, she dropped her forehead onto the desk and yed dead for a full three seconds. Then she straightened up, smoothed her hair, grabbed her phone, and walked out.


    As she approached the door to the president''s office, she mentally ran through her strategy


    "If he brings up that topic total memory wipe. lis in full anmesta mode, in a goldfish. I tensember nothing," she thought,


    She walked in Dominic was standing at the entrance to the lounge area, looking usually serious.


    "What''s going on? Vespera asked, stepg closer and ncing Into the room.


    "There''s something in there," Dominic said.


    "Something? What kind of something?


    cently pulling her a little closer. Then, leaning in, he whispered beside her ear, "Something crawled under the bed. Go check


    He slid anam around her shoulders, gently