Raymond, smiling, quickly made breakfast for her. He explained that the bacon was his secret recipe, something you couldn’t find anywhere else. The vegetables in the salad were grown in the Reid family orchard, and he had picked them at 6:00 AM that morning. Every fruit used for the juice was freshly picked…

“I really wish I had a butler like Mr. Chandler,” Vespera said, consumed with envy.

“As long as you dare to ask, you can have it,” Dominic said casually.

Chapter 145

Vespera wondered if Dominic was mocking her for daydreaming. Raymond, standing nearby, smiled even wider.

After breakfast, Raymond drove them to the airport. Their destination was Ravendale. Dominic and Vespera took a flight to Ravendale and then traveled by car to the resort.

The resort was located deep in the mountains of Ravendale, surrounded by a ring of peaks and isolated from civilization. It had been transformed into a luxurious and mysterious sanctuary, hidden from the world. With a total investment of over $23 billion, Tavian Group held a 60% stake. Aldridge Corp., which was run by Jordan, owned the remaining 40%.

Vespera had only been to Ravendale once or twice. Her impression of it was that it had beautiful landscapes and excellent air quality. As the car drove through the bustling city, the scenery gradually opened up. The sky grew vast, and the clouds seemed endless. Vespera gazed out at the cotton-like clouds, her body relaxing and her eyelids growing heavy. She leaned against the window, and before she knew it, she dozed off.

Dominic gently supported her head and moved it toward him. The driver was nearly in shock.

They continued driving for what felt like an eternity. Finally, the car entered the mountains. Vespera stirred awake. The first thing she saw was the view outside the window: a mist swirling around the trees. It felt as though she had stepped into another realm, lost in its ethereal beauty. It was truly breathtaking: a lush, dense forest of mountains, with distant peaks resembling a fairyland.

She sighed inwardly, marveling at the view, and shifted her shoulders into a more comfortable position. As she moved, she suddenly realized that something felt off. What kind of high-quality seat would be so warm and fragrant? It was also bouncy and perfectly soft yet firm! She slowly turned her head, and her eyes landed on a white shirt. Looking up, she saw a neck and an Adam’s apple. Her heart dropped into her stomach.

“Finally awake?” A warm breath brushed over her head, lightly stirring her cheek like a feather.

“Yes,” Vespera mumbled, pretending to be calm as she sat up from his embrace. She brushed her hair while talking to herself, “Ah, how did I fall asleep? It must have been because Rebecca had me watch a horror movie last night, and I didn’t sleep well.” She tried to downplay the shocking reality that she had been sleeping in her boss’s arms.

Dominic, with a knowing smile, replied, “Ah, I see. No wonder you insisted on crawling into my arms earlier. It must be the aftermath of the horror movie.” Vespera’s eyes widened in disbelief. The driver, too, was stunned.

Vespera’s mind repeatedly blared the phrase “insisted on crawling into my arms.” She’d insisted on crawling into his arms! She couldn’t believe it! She quickly glanced at the driver. Coincidentally, the driver had been looking in the rearview mirror. When their eyes met, Vespera silently sought confirmation. The driver, caught off guard, flinched. He suppressed his guilt and muttered a soft “yes.”

Vespera was stunned by his response, her mind going blank. It took her a while to gather the courage to face Dominic. Her voice, heavy and almost frantic, said, “Mr. Reid, if this happens again, you should immediately push me away. You can shake me awake or even slap me awake!” To be fair, she was certainly in the wrong, but didn’t he have any responsibility? He could have taken action! Why did he let her sleep in his arms?

Dominic replied with an expression of calm understanding, “I don’t have a habit of abusing my subordinates.”

The driver nearly choked, thinking, “Oh my god! I can’t believe this! Mr. Reid, you literally pulled Ms. Gildon into your arms just now!”

Vespera pursed her lips and remained silent. She couldn’t exactly say, “Mr. Reid, please abuse me. I like it…” It would sound absurd and inappropriate. She turned to the front. It was probably best to remain silent. The car fell into a heavy silence. This quietness lasted until they entered the resort.

Chapter 146

The car continued to ascend the mountain, winding higher and deeper into the heart of the range. Although they had ventured deep into the mountains, the road was still well-maintained. To make the most of the breathtaking views, a road had been painstakingly carved through the rugged terrain. Moreover, the infrastructure was designed to blend in with the serene surroundings. On either side of the road, antique-style bronze streetlamps stood out, adding a touch of charm. In the evening or early morning, when the mist began to rise, the warm glow from the lamps made it all the more magical. In winter, when snow blanketed the ground, the scene resembled a fairy-tale world.

The car finally came to a stop in front of the main building of a villa within the resort area. A group of people had already gathered to welcome them. It consisted of the project manager, the overall project supervisor, and the project team. Dominic and Vespera stepped out of the car.

“Mr. Reid, welcome! We’re honored to have you here to oversee the progress,” said the project manager as he approached them. The overall project supervisor followed closely behind. Since the resort was managed by Tavian Group, the project manager was from Tavian Group. Meanwhile, the overall project supervisor had been jointly selected by both Tavian Group and Aldridge Corp.

Dominic greeted them, then walked toward the building. The group of people followed behind. Inside, Vespera exchanged brief introductions with the resort’s team. The project manager’s name was Sherwin Fletcher, while the overall project supervisor’s name was Ron Hadley.

It was 12:40 PM. A lavish banquet had been prepared in the banquet hall of the main building. Dominic was led to the hall. Much of the time during the meal was spent with people fawning over him. The resort’s staff wasn’t yet familiar with Dominic’s usual style, but they knew from previous visits that Jordan and Alex had greatly appreciated this kind of treatment.

After the meal, Sherwin took Dominic and Vespera to their accommodation for the night. Sitting in the sightseeing bus taking them to the villa area, Sherwin informed Dominic that Jordan had arrived the previous afternoon, bringing along quite a few people.

“He said they were all important figures from various fields, and he invited them as part of a ‘trial run.’”

“Where are they now?” Dominic asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

Sherwin, noticing the displeasure in his voice, boldly said, “They’re occupying the villas by the lake. They partied all night. I imagine that they are all fast asleep now, having been worn out. Out of the people Mr. Aldridge invited, ten were women. Last night, they had a party in the big villa where Mr. Aldridge is staying. When the housekeeping staff went in this morning, they found a mess of used condoms everywhere.”

Dominic and Vespera were at a loss for words. After a brief pause, Vespera couldn’t hold back and asked, “Does Mr. Aldridge’s age allow him to handle such activities?” Sherwin shrugged. “Who knows? I didn’t think it was my place to say something. Mr. Aldridge is an investor in the resort. If he wants to bring people here, what can I do?”

Dominic’s expression turned serious and cold, and he narrowed his eyes slightly. What on earth was Jordan trying to pull?

The sightseeing bus finally arrived at a villa with an ancient, elegant design; it exuded an otherworldly charm.

“Mr. Reid, I’ve heard that you enjoy peace and quiet, so I specially arranged this place. What do you think?” Sherwin asked.

“Perfect,” Dominic nodded in approval.

Sherwin took their luggage inside and then said, “Mr. Reid, please rest this afternoon. I’ll check to see if Mr. Aldridge and his group are awake. Once they’re up, I’ll join Mr. Hadley to show everyone around the resort.” The resort’s inspection process would take at least forty days, but both Dominic and Jordan were only here for a brief, symbolic visit.

“You can handle it from here,” Dominic said indifferently.

Vespera smiled and told Sherwin, “Mr. Fletcher, let me know once you’ve made the arrangements.”

“Understood.” Sherwin pulled out his phone. “Ms. Gildon, may I have your number?”

“Of course,” Vespera replied with a smile.

Dominic’s gaze turned colder when he noticed the barely concealed excitement on Sherwin’s face.

Chapter 147

Vespera took out her phone and added Sherwin on WhatsApp. She wore a gentle smile that contrasted with her striking beauty. It had a soothing effect on those who looked at her. Her refreshing aura made her seem down-to-earth and easy to talk to. Despite her captivating presence, those who truly knew her could sense the detachment within her.

“Ms. Gildon, you’re as pretty as your profile picture.” Sherwin was so mesmerized by her beauty that he momentarily forgot Dominic was there as well.

“Thank you,” Vespera happily accepted the compliment.

Just as Sherwin was about to engage in small talk, a cold voice sent a shiver down his spine, bursting his bubble. “Mr. Fletcher, aren’t you busy?”

Sherwin’s chest tightened. He would have been a fool not to notice the displeasure in Dominic’s tone. Quickly, he put away his phone. “Yes, I shall take my leave,” he said hurriedly. Then, he fled the scene at lightning speed.

Vespera put her phone away and turned to see Dominic’s gloomy expression. His mood must have been affected by Jordan. Sherwin had just been unlucky enough to get caught in the crossfire.

“Mr. Reid, I’ll take the luggage upstairs.” She picked them up and headed for the stairs. A woody, fresh scent enveloped her, and the weight of the suitcase disappeared from her hands. She turned in shock to see him carrying her suitcase. The CEO was carrying his secretary’s luggage—it almost felt as if their roles were reversed. She seemed to be thinking about appropriate conduct.

Judging by her expression, he seemed to have read her mind. “I’ve told you before, I don’t enjoy abusing my employees,” he said casually. Without waiting for a reply, he had gone up the stairs.

She wondered if he treated every female employee with such care. In her mind, he was acting strangely because carrying a few suitcases was far from abuse. Still, she didn’t dwell on the thought and followed him upstairs.

The upper floor had a master bedroom, two guest rooms, and a study. Naturally, Dominic would stay in the master bedroom. She left her suitcase in one of the guest rooms before going to unpack his.

As she hung his clothes on the rack, she recalled the detailed list Gerard had sent her of Dominic’s preferences. She had read it thoroughly; it covered everything from his favorite food to his sense of style. Suddenly, a thought struck her. Gerard played the role of Dominic’s wife more than anything. There was no difference between what he did and what a devoted spouse would do.

Memories from her past surfaced. She had once been someone’s dedicated wife. No matter how exhausted she was from work, she would come home and cook that bastard’s favorite meal. The fridge and pantry had always been stocked with his favorite drinks. Every suit in the closet had been ironed and paired with a tie. She had made everything convenient for him, ensuring that he could wake up, throw on any suit, and still look perfect. She had done such a perfect job that it had sent him straight into another woman’s arms. Love had made her blind, and the taste of betrayal had been bitter. If love ever knocked on her door again, she would slam it shut without hesitation. She would be too foolish to ever trust a man again.

“Ms. Gildon, do you hate that shirt so much?”

Vespera snapped out of her thoughts. She looked down and realized she had been gripping his shirt, wrinkling it in her hands. She hadn’t even noticed him enter. “I’m really sorry.” She smoothed the fabric with her palms, trying to straighten it. “Is something bothering you?” he asked, handing her his coat. She took it from him and hung it in the closet.

Chapter 148

Vespera brushed it off, unwilling to continue the conversation. She wasn’t used to opening up and held herself back, even when it was Rebecca. Noticing that Dominic was still standing beside her without any intention of leaving, she tried to look natural and turned to him. “Are you taking anything else off?”

The words slipped out before she could stop them. Her brain and tongue were completely out of sync. The room fell into complete silence.

Vespera’s face turned pale. She couldn’t believe what she had just said, especially since Dominic was already down to his dress shirt and suit pants. There was nothing else for him to take off. At that moment, she would have rather slammed her head against the wall than explain that she had meant to ask if he needed anything else. She had no intention of suggesting he take off more clothing. As her mind scrambled for a way to recover, he broke the silence.

“No, thank you. I wouldn’t want to catch a cold,” he replied earnestly. Before leaving the room, he glanced at her with a mixed expression. Vespera’s stomach twisted. The look on his face was impossible to read, but the thought that he might see her as a perverted secretary who wanted him to undress was unbearable. Worse, he might think of himself as too righteous to comply.

Gripping the closet door, she wished she could disappear. Quickly, she finished hanging his clothes, ironed the shirt, and left his room without looking back. This incident proved she needed to stay focused at work.

Back in her room, she took a moment to recover from the shock. Once she calmed down, she started unpacking.

An hour later, a message from Sherwin popped up in her phone: “Ms. Gildon, Mr. Aldridge is awake. He wanted to inform you that it’s getting late, and the tour will be held tomorrow instead. Apart from that, he extends a wine-tasting invitation to Mr. Reid at his villa tonight.”

She scoffed at the message, realizing this was likely an excuse to entertain Dominic with the ten beautiful women he had brought along. “Alright, I’ll let him know.”

She got up and headed to the master bedroom. Knocking twice on the door, she received no response. He was probably taking an afternoon nap. Then again, he could be in the shower, getting changed, or even on a video call with a pretty boy. She decided it wasn’t urgent now that the tour had been rescheduled, so she left.

Another hour passed before Sherwin sent another message. “Mr. Aldridge wants to confirm if Mr. Reid is coming over. He also said that if he doesn’t want to leave his room, he could bring his start and come over instead.” What a sly old man!

Vespera chuckled at Sherwin’s remark. “Mr. Reid is asleep, so I haven’t had the chance to ask him yet. Have Mr. Aldridge wait a bit longer, and I’ll get him an answer.” Whenever they had to relay messages between higher-ups, they had to be on their toes. A small mistake could end their career. Understanding the sentiment behind his emoji, Vespera sent back a consoling smiley face.

She put away her phone and knocked on Dominic’s door again. This time, he responded. After receiving permission, she stepped inside. He stood by the window with his back to her, seemingly absorbed in the view outside. His bed was perfectly neat, untouched. Instead of his earlier attire, he was now dressed in beige casual loungewear. It turned out he had been changing, not sleeping.

“Do you need something?” He turned to face her.

“Mr. Aldridge contacted us twice. The first time was an hour ago. He said it was getting late, so the tour has been rescheduled for tomorrow. He also invited you for a wine tasting session. The second time was just now—he said if you weren’t going to his place, he would come to yours instead,” she explained. “There was no response when I knocked earlier, so I made the call to keep him waiting a little longer,” she added.

Dominic let out a light chuckle. “That’s quite alright. Let’s leave him hanging.” He glanced at the watch on his wrist. “Tell Mr. Fletcher to inform Aldridge that I’ll be there at 7:00 PM sharp.”

Chapter 149

“Sure,” Vespera answered. It was clear Jordan had bad intentions, and she wondered if she should give Dominic a heads-up. She wouldn’t.