"Mr. Reid, where are you going in the evening? Can''t you take Vespera with you?" Calvert asked from the front.


    Evening was supposed to be when couples went on dates, wasn''t it? Shouldn''t the two be heading out together?


    Vespera immediately shot Calvert a sharp look and said, "Calvert, don''t be ridiculous. I''m sure Mr. Reid has his reasons. He''s meeting someone important. Obviously, it''s a private matter."


    Dominic went quiet for a few seconds. Then, he said, "Ms. Gildon is right. It''s a very important meeting. It''s not the kind of thing you bring someone else to."


    Without thinking, Vespera muttered under her breath, "It''s not that I wanted to go anyway."


    Calvert froze. On the other hand, Gerard, sitting in the passenger seat, lowered his head and was suddenly invested in whatever was on his tablet.


    Dominic closed his eyes to rest, while Vespera turned to stare out the window. Gerard thought, "They really aren''t on speaking terms, huh?"


    Meanwhile, Calvert thought, "What should I do? Why aren''t they making up already?"<fnac66> Readplete version only at FindN()vel</fnac66>


    When they arrived at the branch office, the cold atmosphere eased for the time being. The employees from the headquarters and the executives from the branch office were already waiting outside. As Dominic stepped out of the car, a crowd immediately formed around him.


    After a brief walkthrough of the office, they headed to the meeting room for the performance reports from the general manager and department heads. It was the kind of routine meeting that felt more like a luby.


    Two hours passed in a blur of formality. In the afternoon, Dominic took Vespera and Gerard to a business summit. The rest of the employees from the headquarters stayed behind to manage matters with the branch office.


    Once Vespera was in work mode, she snapped right back into her professional persona. Everything Dominic requested, she delivered on the spot. She even anticipated his needs before he had to say a word.


    Even in a room full of big shots'' secretaries and assistants, no one came close to her professionalism. Since everything was taken care of by her, Gerard could even doze offfortably.


    Gerard thought that they had finally made up, but he was dead wrong. They were too good at acting.


    As soon as the day wrapped up and they got back in the car, the atmosphere seemed peaceful at first. But one closer look and one could tell that the tension was still there.


    And this time, Vespera was the one exuding a cold demeanor. Compared to her, Dominic looked warm. Outside of work, she treated him like he didn''t exist.


    The four of them returned to the vi. Dominic headed to his room to rest before his evening appointment, while Vespera and Gerard went to their rooms to change for the branch office''s wee party.


    Vespera changed into a ck dress. She redid her makeup and sprayed on a different perfume. She let her hair down as well. She was already stunning, but now, she looked breathtaking.


    She stepped out into the corridor and walked over to Gerard''s door, giving it a light knock. She asked, "Gerard, are you ready?"


    Gerard replied, "Hold on for a moment."


    Vespera chuckled and said, "You''re slower than I am as a man? By the way, there''s still time before the party starts. Do you want to go shopping for a while? Ba asked me to buy her a new bag, and I want to pick something out for my mother too."


    Gerard didn''t respond. Shopping with Vespera? If a certain someone found out, he would die!


    Vespera took his silence as agreement and turned around, only to be met with Dominic, who was standing outside his door.


    Dominic was still in the same outfit from earlier. So, this was what he was wearing to meet his first love? Why didn''t he shower or change his clothes to look more attractive?"


    "Mr. Reid, are you off to see your friend?" Vespera asked with a smile, walking toward him.


    Dominic caught the scent of her perfume. He had heard herughing with Gerard just a moment ago. She was so rxed and at ease. And now, she was putting on her professional front again just for him.


    He felt sad, but still, he answered, "Yeah. I''m meeting a friend. Have fun shopping and enjoy the party with Gerard."


    Vespera responded, "You should have fun too."


    Dominic looked at her for a long second before saying, "Have fun? So, you''ve


    already decided I''m going to see another woman, and you''re actually wishing me a good time with her?"