He’s the uncle Eden was talking about, Vespera thought. She suddenly remembered how, just minutes ago, she’d been on the phone with Rebecca, complaining about his “vicious wife.” The realization made her suck in a quiet breath.

She turned back around and greeted Theodore properly. “Mr. Locke, hello. I’m sorry about earlier; I was a bit rude.”

Theodore waved it off. “No, I was the one who tossed out a line.”

Vespera smiled politely. “Not at all.”

Keeping her composure, she turned to Samuel. “Mr. Reid Senior, I won’t disturb your lunch with Mr. Locke any further. I’ll head back to my room.”

“No need. I’ll call Dominic and have him come to my private room. You might as well join us first,” Samuel said.

“Alright,” Vespera agreed aloud, though internally, she was screaming.

They entered the Wisteria Room, where the food had already been served. Even after sitting down, Vespera still felt completely thrown off. She’d only meant to get a minute to breathe, not end up at a table with two business titans. Across the table, Theodore asked, “Ms. Gildon, what’s your full name? And are you seeing anyone?”

Vespera was mentally frozen. She’d been fine walking away before because she hadn’t known who he was. But now that she did, even if she didn’t want to answer, she had to. “Vespera Caldon,” she replied to the first question but let the second slide entirely.

Theodore nodded thoughtfully. “Beautiful name. It sounds like it was made for someone graceful, intelligent, and pure-hearted—which, from what I see, you truly are.”

Vespera smiled awkwardly. “Thanks for the flattering words.”

She picked up her drink, then lowered it, sipping slowly to mask her discomfort. Theodore was still staring at her. Samuel’s expression shifted subtly. “Don’t tell me he’s into her?” he thought.

Then, Theodore added, “Ms. Gildon, are you dating anyone? I have a nephew who’s still single.”

Vespera nearly choked on her drink. Just then, the door opened, and Dominic and Eden walked in right in time to hear Theodore’s question.

Vespera’s head snapped toward them. She glanced at Dominic, then at Eden… and noticed the energy in the room instantly turn weird. Samuel looked toward the doorway, his gaze lingering on Eden in particular. The longer he stared, the heavier his mood grew. “Dominic, come say hello to Mr.…”

Dominic stepped forward and greeted him politely. “Hello, Mr. Locke.”

Eden, on the other hand, was far more enthusiastic. “Mr. Reid Senior! Long time no see! You just keep getting more handsome with age.”

Samuel narrowed his eyes at the guy built like a linebacker. The more he thought about the rumors involving Eden and Dominic, the more irritated he became. “Eden, you shouldn’t be running to Halewick all the time. You’re not getting any younger. Your uncle’s already looking to set you up with someone.”

Eden flashed a wicked grin and casually hooked an arm around Dominic’s neck. “Why bother? I’d rather hang out with Dom. He’s way more fun than any girl.” The last part nearly gave Samuel a heart attack.

“Fun? Who’s fun? Fun in what way? Are you ‘playing’ with my son?” Samuel thought.

Theodore cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to smooth things over. “Now, now—everyone in this world could find their own happiness. Dominic and Eden are both good boys. And gender, well, it’s not an issue these days. No need to be so old-fashioned.”

Samuel’s face turned the color of storm clouds. He wanted to curse him. “To hell with your ‘gender’s not an issue!’” he screamed in his head.

Dominic wasn’t even pushing Eden away. He just let him keep that arm there like it was normal. Samuel felt cold all over, his vision dimming. Then suddenly, his eyes locked on Vespera, who was still sitting quietly, sipping her drink. And just like that, it was as if a ray of sunshine broke through the storm, and hope returned to his eyes.

“Dominic’s perfectly normal,” he said. “He likes girls. Everyone at the company says he and Ms. Gildon are dating, right?”

Vespera had been sitting quietly in the background, minding her own business, quietly drinking. She’d even been feeling a little sorry for Samuel—until now. How could this happen to her?

Her eyes went wide, all facial composure gone. She frantically waved her hands. “No! No, I’m not dating Mr. Held! That’s just gossip, Mr. Reid Senior! Total…”

Samuel gave a knowing, authoritative smile. “I know perfectly well whether it’s a rumor or not.”

She wondered what he even knew. He just wanted everyone to know his son was straight. If word got out that Samuel himself had “confirmed” the rumors were true… God help her.

Dealing with Alex was already a full-time job; now Samuel wanted to jump in too? Was she not allowed to live? She looked at Dominic like she was throwing up a white flag. Her eyes practically shouted, “Say something! Clear this up!”

Dominic brushed Eden’s arm off his shoulder and sat beside her. The icy, distant look he’d worn since walking in finally melted into something softer and warmer. “Don’t tease her. She’s shy. The rumors at the office have already been stressing her out. If they keep spreading, she might just quit.”

His tone was soft, and his eyes indulgent. Every word was meant to clarify. Every word also screamed protectiveness. And every word just made things worse.

Vespera felt her cheeks flush from the way he looked at her. That was his idea of an explanation? With a voice and a look like that, even stray cats and dogs would think they were in some secret relationship!

Right then, Eden—who’d been standing nearby—plopped down into the chair on Dominic’s other side. His expression turned serious, eyes full of heartbreak. “Dom! I can’t believe you’ve changed. You promised no girlfriends, remember? We were gonna rebel against society and defy your parents together! But the second you met Ms. Gildon, you changed…”

“We were perfectly happy being together, and now you’re straight again? No! You can’t be with her! I’m devastated! I object! You have to choose; it’s either me or Ms. Gildon!”

Vespera sat, frozen in place. She was in the front-row seat to Eden’s dramatic heartbreak. Well, so she was the other woman now? She had stolen someone’s man?

But even she couldn’t match the look of shock on Samuel’s face. His eyes bulged like they might pop out of his skull. He was the chairman of Tavian Group—he’d been through all kinds of storms, but nothing had ever shaken him like this.

He broke into a cold sweat. “Theodore! You—you better get your crazy nephew out of here!”

“Calm down,” Theodore said, trying to soothe him. “Eden won’t cling to Dominic. He knows where the line is…”

“Easy for you to say! Your family didn’t get…” Samuel snapped, then stopped short.

“Didn’t get what?” Theodore clearly didn’t follow.

Samuel was so furious that he nearly passed out on the spot. He wanted nothing more than to pack this uncle-nephew duo into a box and ship them straight back to Ravendale. But Eden wasn’t done. Not only did he show zero sympathy for Samuel, but he doubled down just to provoke him further.

“Mr. Reid Senior, don’t be mad! I do love Dom. I mean, our families go way back. If you’re willing to let Dom marry me, I promise I’ll treat him like a princess.” Samuel almost choked on his own breath. He grabbed the nearest dish off the table and hurled it at him. “Get the hell out—”

Eden ducked effortlessly. The dish flew past his ear and shattered on the floor behind him with a loud crack. Samuel jumped to his feet, ready to launch something else, but Theodore rushed in and held him back. “Samuel, calm down! Eden’s always been a bit of a handful. He’s just joking around—”

“Keep him away from my son!” Samuel roared.

No one alive could handle this level of emotional trauma. He then turned to Vespera—still frozen in place, completely shell-shocked—and said sternly, “Ms. Gildon, you need to sit down with Dominic and have a serious talk. You cannot lose to another man.”

Vespera blinked. “Well, me? How did this mess come back to me?” she thought.

“Mr. Reid Senior, I swear, Mr. Reid and I really…”

“Say no more. I know it’s real. Just go for it. If there’s any issue, I’ll back you up!” Samuel interrupted, waving it off. His eyes were practically brimming with hope, like he was placing the future of his entire bloodline in her hands.

Samuel leaned closer, catching the panic on her face. “With great power comes great responsibility. I believe in you! You’ve got this!”

Vespera fell into stunned silence. “Crept power, my ass! I’m not Arachne,” she thought.

Across the table, Eden was dramatically sighing and pretending to cry into his towel, somehow still managing to eat between emotional gasps. Theodore gently guided Samuel back into his chair, doing his best to calm the situation. With a chuckle, he added, “I was just thinking of introducing my niece to Eden. Didn’t realize she was already Dominic’s girlfriend.”