Drunk and Daring I Kissed a Tycoon novel Chapter 286

Gerard gave Vespera the full, unfiltered version of that bloody high-society saga.

Naturally, he couldn't resist adding some dramatic flair, throwing in details no one could know, plus a handful of invented inner monologues just to amp up the drama.

When he got to the part where Theodore's first wife, Mirabelle Moody—heavily pregnant and out with her son—was in a fatal crash, Vespera instinctively covered her mouth in shock.

Her chest tightened, and a dull ache settled in her heart.

"Vespera, are you crying? You women are so emotional," Gerard teased, handing her a tissue.

"I'm usually not like this," she said, embarrassed, dabbing her eyes.

She really wasn't.

She wasn't the sentimental type, but this story hit her differently.

Maybe it was just that tragic. Or maybe it was because earlier, Theodore had said she looked like his late wife.

She rolled her eyes silently. That scumbag didn't deserve to miss anyone—least of all woman like that.

He was worse than Luke. He was the kind of guy who deserved his own museum exhibit under Epic Trash Men in History.

Gerard took a sip of his vital brew. "Do you know why Mr. Eden became the heir? Because the mistress ended up having a daughter with a mild cognitive disability. After that, she couldn't have any more kids.

"Then Theodore's actual son died in a car crash. So, they had no choice but to pick someone from the extended family. That woman tried everything she could to get rid of Mr. Eden, but the guy's got nine lives."

Vespera shook her head. "That whole family sounds suffocating."

Gerard nodded. "Which is why choosing the right man is everything. You know, Mrs. Reid was once close friends with Mr. Theodore's first wife. They both married into powerful families, but look how differently things turned out."

Vespera walked out of Gerard's office still feeling heavy, and the mood stuck with her to the end of the workday.

That story just wouldn't leave her mind.

They probably started the same—two women stepping into new lies with big dreams. And then, year by year, everything split apart.

One ended up with two kids and a husband who adored her, and the other? Buried and long gone. Even now, there was no one left to speak up for her.

The rage and sadness of it all sat like a knot in her chest.

…

Upstairs, the moment Vespera disabled her location, Dominic was looking at his screen. In one second, she was there. The next—gone.

He wondered what the hell she was planning that night.

Vespera headed out.

"Life's short. A woman should treat herself. Unwind. Eat with a good friend. Shop a little. Have some fun," she told herself.

Her mood lifted.

She even started humming. Her light purple dress swayed as she walked—elegant, breezy, and just the right amount of flirtatious.

She drove to the restaurant they'd picked.

Vespera arrived ten minutes early. Yasmine wasn't there yet, so she went ahead and ordered.

She thought she'd covered her tracks. Even if Dominic was checking, there'd be nothing to see. She'd even come up with a list of excuses in case he asked her anything tomorrow.

But there was one thing she hadn't accounted for—a traitor.