Drunk and Daring I Kissed a Tycoon novel Chapter 421

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Vespera, Calvert, and Gerard arrived at a coffee shop in an alley. The three ordered coffee and took a seat, waiting.

Last night, after a bit of gentle persuasion, they had finally gotten Evelyn to spill the truth about the networking event. And once they'd heard what it really was, they were all in, except Gerard. But when it came down to it, one man couldn't win against two, especially not when one of them was Calvert. Calvert didn't even need a full arm to choke Gerard out.

According to Evelyn, the event was hosted by the Lumena Order. It was an association mostly made up of top-tier tycoons.

While technically a business association, its members were a mixed bag. Some had wealth, others power, status, or fame, and some had unique abilities.

Geniuses from all walks of life were welcomed, including hackers, enforcers, and even dangerous outliers with high intelligence but borderline ethics. It was less an association and more a curated ecosystem of influence and danger.

Inside the association, everything operated on a strict hierarchy. Everyone had a place in the chain. They traded favors, covered for each other, and used the facade of business to conduct shady dealings behind closed doors.

When Vespera heard the name of the association, a chill ran down her spine. Everything suddenly clicked. She remembered when Dominic had once gone to a Jitanese-style courtyard for a meeting. Gerard had casually mentioned it was with some business association, and she had brushed it off at the time, thinking it was just for business.

But now that Evelyn had brought up the Lumena Order again, the name triggered a memory. Vespera had heard it before during one of Dominic's conversations with Eden.

Back then, Vespera had been too preoccupied with the news about Tina being rescued to notice anything else. But now, she remembered that Selena was a member of the Lumena Order.

It all made sense. The Lumena Order, the business association, and Selena.

That was why Dominic had walked straight into the lion's den. Maybe it was for his best friend, and maybe he also wanted to help Vespera settle some old scores.

After all, Selena had masterminded Tina's rescue. She had deliberately targeted Vespera at the masquerade ball. There was no question that Vespera had made it onto her blacklist.

Since Dominic was going to face Selena alone, Vespera wasn't about to sit back and let him take the risk.

Feeling bored, Calvert asked, "Where's Evelyn? Did she oversleep?"

Gerard muttered, "She must have backed out. Let's just head home."

Vespera calmly stirred her coffee and said, "Didn't she say she needs to wait for a call from the person who's supposed to pick her up? Be patient."

They waited until the afternoon. The sun dipped behind thick clouds, and the vintage-style street lamps at the end of the alley flickered to life. Just then, a black car pulled up in front of the coffee shop.

The window rolled down, revealing Evelyn sitting in the backseat with a smile. She said, "Hop in."

The car door opened, and Vespera and the others got in. Sitting in the backseat, Evelyn waved at Vespera, asking the latter to sit next to her. Meanwhile, Gerard and Calvert took the middle seats.

After that, the door shut, and the car eased out of the alley. There were two men sitting at the front. They were in their 30s, dressed in identical suits and sunglasses, with expressions as stiff as mannequins.