Chapter 24 Valeria stopped the waitstaff bringing coffee service , offering to handle distribution herself . When no one was looking , she discreetly pulled a small packet from her designer purse and emptied it into one of the cups . Finally , her little insurance policy was about to pay dividends . She carefully arranged the cups on the tray and personally served them to the table . Valeria handed Marco Parker his cup first , then made a deliberate show of giving Anastasia her specially prepared brew . She caught Anastasia's eyes with a loaded smile that practically screamed trouble . Every instinct Anastasia had developed over the years started screaming warnings . Wherever Valeria showed up , chaos followed like her personal pet . The girl had just been dragged through the mud across every social platform , yet instead of hiding in shame , she'd forced her way into this business dinner . She was definitely up to something . Anastasia accepted the coffee cup , immediately noticing something off about the rich aroma - there was an underlying chemical scent that didn't belong . Without drawing attention , she set the cup down and fussed with her napkin . " Not a coffee fan , gorgeous ? " Parker's voice had a slimy undertone that made her skin crawl . " This is top - shelf Colombian - smooth going down , with a real kick to it . " The way he emphasized certain words made it clear he wasn't just talking about caffeine . " Please , enjoy yours first , Mr. Parker . " Anastasia smiled with practiced politeness , 16:50 Dumped Today Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon 16.4 Chapter 24 Parker grinned and knocked back his entire cup like a shot . " That's how you do it , sweetheart . Life's too short to sip . " Valeria watched with barely contained glee as she delicately sipped her own coffee . Anastasia brought her cup toward her lips , then " accidentally " knocked it with her elbow . The hot liquid splashed across her hand and designer dress , immediately raising angry red welts . She hissed in genuine pain . " Shit ! I'm so sorry - I need to take care of this . " She bolted toward the restroom , leaving behind the barely - touched drugged coffee . Valeria's eyes narrowed as she watched the hasty retreat . Did that bitch somehow figure out what was happening ? The timing seemed way too convenient . But seeing the cup still mostly full on the table , Valeria forced herself to relax and turned her attention to charming Parker . " Don't mind Ana - she's always been clumsy under pressure , " she purred , leaning forward to give him a better view . " Tell me more about your business , Mr. Parker . I find successful men so fascinating . " Parker perked up immediately . This Valeria chick was much more his speed - eager to please and clearly DTF . Maybe the night wasn't a total bust after all . Outside the private dining room , Anastasia exhaled shakily . She'd dodged a bullet , but barely . Heading toward the ladies ' room to treat her burn , she slammed directly into what felt like a concrete wall . " Oof ! " She stumbled backward , ready to apologize , then looked up into achingly familiar dark eyes . 16:50 Dumped To 16.60 Chapter 24 The restaurant's mood lighting made his sharp features look even more devastating than usual . " Cassian ! " Her voice came out more breathless than she intended . Relief flooded through her so intensely it was almost dizzying . Seeing her flushed face and obvious distress , Cassian's expression immediately shifted to protective concern . " Hey , what a crazy coincidence . " His voice was carefully casual , but she could see the worry in his eyes . " You okay ? You look rattled . " Actually , this " coincidence " had been carefully orchestrated from the moment Phillips discovered Anastasia would be dining with Marco Parker . Learning she'd be alone with that predator had made Cassian's blood pressure spike dangerously . He'd immediately arranged drinks with Yinsen at the same restaurant , positioning himself as backup without interfering directly with her work . The fact that their cocktail menu was excellent was purely secondary . But he didn't want Anastasia feeling like he was being controlling , so he was playing it off as pure chance . " I'm … " she started , then realized how badly she needed him right now . " Actually , I'm really glad you're here . This dinner is turning into a nightmare . " Cassia ed closer , his presence immediately making her feel safer . " What kind of nightmare ? g you trouble ? " ective edge in his voice made her heart race for entirely different reasons than fear . " It's complicated , " she said quietly , glancing back toward the dining room . " But seeing you here … it's like the universe threw me a lifeline . " His jaw tightened as he put the pieces together . " Where's your dinner ? I'll walk you back . " " Actually , " Anastasia said with sudden clarity , " I think I'm done with business for tonight . " 16:50