“Mitabelle…” the middle-aged man whispered the name, as if disbelieving his eyes. His breath hitched, and his gaze locked onto hers. Without realizing it, he changed direction and began walking toward her.

Meanwhile, Vespera was on the phone, explaining everything. On the other end, Rebecca’s mood soured the moment she heard the Sowle family had brought in a powerful relative. What had once seemed like a sure path to the gallows for Tina now carried a giant question mark. Her appetite vanished. But she calmed quickly. After all, they had Dominic on their side.

“I heard that woman’s methods are especially vicious. I’m worried Mrs. Cruz and the others might be in danger. We should probably warn them. Better safe than sorry,” Vespera said.

“I’ll take care of it,” Rebecca replied.

“Alright, then I’ll—” Vespera began, but paused as footsteps approached from behind. “Becca, let’s talk later.”

She ended the call and turned, only to see a man in his early sixties walking toward her. He had the air of a scholar, with a calm, commanding presence that came only from experience and power. His face bore the faint traces of age, though the sharp features from his youth were still visible. Tall and lean, he was well-kept, free of middle-aged bloat.

“Is he some president from a local company?” Vespera wondered.

“Can I help you?” she asked politely, quickly flipping through her mental Rolodex. She was certain she’d never seen him before.

Theodore looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, emotions swirling inside that he couldn’t quite name. Her profile was so familiar. From the front, not as much, but those eyes and brows were exactly as he’d imagined them all these years.

“Sir? Is there something I can help you with?” Vespera asked again.

His long stare and odd expression made her feel the need to remain polite but cautious.

“Oh, sorry. It’s my first time here. I got a little lost. When I saw someone over here, I figured I’d ask for directions,” Theodore blinked, snapping out of it.

“It’s pretty big, huh? Which private room are you looking for?” Vespera asked.

“The Wister Room.”

“Head that way, and cross the covered walkway. It’s the third room on the right,” Vespera said, pointing him in the direction. She happened to have been to that private room before.

“I see. Thank you very much,” Theodore said, offering a courteous nod.

He began to walk off but couldn’t help himself. Turning back, he asked, “Miss, are you from Halewick?”

“Yes,” Vespera replied, though something about the question left her a little annoyed.

Then, he asked, “How old are you?”

Her tone cooled instantly. “Sir, maybe don’t waste any more time. Go find your private room.”

Perhaps realizing he’d crossed a line, Theodore quickly added, “Please don’t misunderstand, I didn’t mean anything by it. I had a daughter. If she’d grown up, she might’ve been as beautiful and sweet as you.”

Vespera frowned. She decided the man was crazy. That was where her politeness ran out. She didn’t respond, just turned and walked away. She didn’t care how important he was; he was just like Jordan. Another creepy old man pretending to be sentimental, using his daughter as some emotional prop. Disgusting.

Meanwhile, Theodore stood awkwardly. He shouldn’t have said those things to a stranger.

Vespera walked briskly toward the covered walkway. Their private meeting was on the other side. Just as she picked up her pace, someone turned the corner ahead, and she had to stop.

“Mr. Reid Senior,”

“Ms. Gildon,” Samuel greeted her, his tone kind. She’d seen him a few times at the company. Her impression of Samuel was that he was sharp, witty, and, despite the office rumors, had always taken a live-and-let-live approach. He’d never given her any trouble.

Just then, Theodore caught up behind her. “Samuel, you know this young lady?”

“She’s Domitar’s secretary,” Samuel replied. Then, he turned to Vespera. “Ms. Gildon, this is Mr. Theodore Locke from Cloudspire Group.”

Theodore from Cloudspire Group?