Chapter 252
Lisette tugged on Tobias’ sleeve and asked, “Toby, from the moment we walked in, you seem way too familiar with this place. Have you been here before p>
“I have p>
Hearing his confirmation, Lisette was surprised. “You’re always swamped with work, traveling all over the world. When did you have the time or interest to come here p>
Dominic popped up from behind, grinning. “Hey, Lisette, do you think you might’ve misunderstood your husband a little p>
“Huh p>
“Everybody’s got some wild days in their youth, don’t they?” Dominic clicked his tongue twice. “When I first came to Odyssey at eighteen, it was actually Toby who brought me here p>
“What p>
Lisette was dumbfounded.
She had always figured it was Dominic, the party-loving playboy, who dragged Toby along here. That totally seemed like something he would do!
But instead p>
She tilted her head at Tobias, her curiosity piqued. “Seriously, this surprises me p>
Dominic laughed cheekily. “You’re not even hearing the juiciest part yet p>
“He turned 1,000 bucks into 80 million, walked out the door, and launched a personal charity foundation in the name of a card king. He practically went around the country building schools overnight p>
“Pfft.”Lisette chuckled, “So bold p>
She grinned and teased Tobias, “The gambling king is practically swimming in money—he wouldn’t care about a tiny amount like that, right? But your clean and fast moves, weren’t they kind of a slap in his face? Did he pull some ‘big guy bullying the small fry’ move on you p>
Back then, Tobias was only eighteen years old, while the gambling king was nearing forty, already a legend and unbelievably wealthy.
A rookie stirring things up like that? How could the seasoned pro not respond?
Before Tobias could say anything, Dominic jumped in, “The day after the gambling king announced his charity fund, Tobias got a call from the man himself, inviting him to Regis Isle p>
Lisette’s curiosity was instantly piqued. She leaned forward, her eyes lighting up, “And then? What happened? Was he trying to intimidate Tobias or what p>
“Nope!” Dominic shook his head.
Looking at Tobias with an unusually respectful expression, Dominic continued, “The gambling king didn’t say much—didn’t even hit ten sentences—but by the time they were done talking, his secretary added another two hundred million to the charity fund p>
“Now, ten years later, those donations have gone towards building schools all over the remote parts of Sion p>
Dominic flashed a sly smile as he glanced at Tobias, “And trust me, there’s even more impressive stuff after that!” “Tobias became the president of Hastings Corporation at eighteen. Back then, the company was going through a tough transition, and for him, taking over meant he had to prove himself fast to shut up all those board members who doubted him p>
“He convinced the King of Gambling to invest in one of the corporation’s projects p>
“That project solidified Tobias’s place in the company and helped Hastings Corporation grow into the top group in Sion, turning a nearly crumbling enterprise into today’s powerhouse p>
“Honestly, the King of Gambling can be considered a benefactor to the Hastings family p>
Lisette understood now.
She gazed at Tobias, her eyes showing a mix of admiration and heartbreak. “So, Tobias, you came to Odyssey back then to catch the King of Gambling’s attention, to meet him p>
“That’s such a risky move p>
“Not to mention whether you’d win that gamble. You used the winnings to build schools under his name. If he thought you were provoking him and decided to retaliate, you could’ve been in real danger p>
The thought itself gave her chills.
Sensing her anxiousness, Tobias gently stroked her furrowed brow, smoothing out the wrinkles bit by bit. “It’s all behind us now. Look at me; I’m standing here, safe and sound p>
“Fine, but still p>
She couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.
She felt such a pang for him—so young back then, fighting his way through the ruthless, cutthroat world of Hastings Corporation. These years haven’t been easy for him.
She stepped closer, wrapped her arms around him tightly, and declared firmly, “Toby, from now on, it’s my turn to spoil you, love you, and make you the happiest man alive p>
“Alright,” he replied.
His gentle kiss landed softly on her forehead. “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy too p>
Dominic couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Seriously p>
Watching the couple show off their affection so openly made him feel like someone had just fed him a spoonful of dog food. Overwhelmed, he rolled his eyes and decided to disrupt their little romantic moment mercilessly: “Hey, the ship’s setting sail, alright? If you want to keep hugging, wait till later when you’re back in your room. Hug all you want, shake the bed, heck, tear it apart if you must—just don’t do it here p>
Gesturing with his hand, Dominic signaled for the staff nearby: “Prepare three of the best rooms p>
He then motioned toward Toby. “Charge it to his tab p>
Amber wandered over lazily, casually looking at the group of five before raising her brow at Dominic’s arrangement, “Five people, three rooms—how’s that going to work p>
Dominic pointed at Toby and Lisette, “They’re sharing one room. I’ve got one for myself, Elliot has his. Where’s the issue p>
Amber blinked, confused. “Then where am I supposed to stay p>
Dominic shrugged nonchalantly, “You’re on your own for that. Get your wallet out and book your own room.”Amber West: p>
At that moment, she made up her mind—she was definitely ditching Dominic Hamilton as her boss and going all in to cozy up to Lisette Cavendish. “Lisette, can I switch teams and be your assistant p>
Before Lisette even finished throwing her disapproving look her way, Amber quickly put on an expression that screamed desperation: “Lisette, I know I messed up before. I did a lot of awful things that hurt you, but I really regret it now. I want to make up for everything. Please give me a chance p>
“Pretty please p>
She was so flustered she looked like she might break down. It didn’t seem fake like her usual calculated performances—this time, it felt… real.
The words Lisette had prepared to shut her down were suddenly stuck in her throat. After a pause, she replied, “Half a year probation. If I’m not satisfied, you’re out. No questions asked p>
She finally agreed!
Amber’s tear-brimmed eyes instantly lit up, her cheeks almost glistening as she nodded firmly. “Alright! I’ll work my hardest to stay. I promise I won’t waste the chance you’re giving me p>
Lisette turned around and told a nearby staff member, “Prepare another room p>
And just like that, she left with Tobias Hastings to head up to the top deck.
Watching the two leave, Amber sniffled then scurried to catch up after them. In the room.
Tobias Hastings held Lisette Cavendish close, sitting together on the edge of the bed while gazing out at the vast ocean. “You forgave her p>
Lisette gave a slow nod. “From the moment she handed me the evidence against Maverick Ramsey for hurting my dad, all our grudges ended p>
“I told her the same thing—whether she believed it or not was up to her. I’d initially planned to treat her like a stranger, but since she begged for a chance, I decided to let her have it p>
“She’s smart enough to understand that I won’t tolerate her once—and I definitely won’t tolerate her twice. If she keeps wavering and doesn’t value this opportunity, then there’s no one else to blame but herself p>
For Tobias, Lisette’s choices were all that mattered. He only had one condition: “As long as you’re okay, I’m okay p>
Under the night sky, the two leaned into each other, enveloped by a peaceful silence.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Elliot Jameson stepped inside. His face was grim as he told Tobias, “Boss, we’ve got a problem p>