Chapter 135

Across the room, Vincent watched as Hannah fell silent, her eyes fixed on the floor, lost in her own thoughts.He assumed she was giving real weight to what he'd just said. He rose from his seat, crossed the distance between them, and reached for her hand."Let's forget about the divorce. We can still build a future together."

"Stop right there!" Taking several steps back, Hannah sidestepped his touch entirely and fixed him with a cold stare. "There's no future for us, Vincent. Not now, not ever."

Vincent's breath caught, and his fingers turned pale from the sudden force with which he withdrew his hand. He'd lowered himself, trying to bridge the gap, but had done nothing to move Hannah. Her resolve was unwavering, and her indifference stung.

A shadow crossed Vincent's face. "I'm willing to overlook your situation with Felix. What else do you want from me?"

Hannah scoffed. "What I want is a divorce. Can you give it to me now?"

Those words hit Vincent like ice, leaving a chill that wouldn't fade. Fidgeting with his wedding band,he answered with a rough edge in his voice, "Hannah, I don't have the patience to keep talking you down. This is your last chance."

"My last chance?" Her laughter was brittle and brief, her gaze hardening immediately."Let′Sclear something up. We're not a couple fighting over misunderstandings-we're ending a marriage. I don't need your empty promises or sweet nothing. I'm done being your wife."

No hint of softness broke through Hannah's resolve. A wall of cold resolve kept Vincent at arm's length, and every plea he tried to make broke against that wall, falling away useless and shattered.

"Then I guess we're finished here." Swallowing down a surge of frustration, Vincent realized nothing he said would change her mind-pressing further would only strip away what little dignity he had left. His words came out flat and cold. "Fine. We'll settle it. The moment the divorce agreement is drawn up, I'll sign."

A faint, cold smile flickered across Hannah's face. "You say that now, Mr. Jones, but I doubt you'll follow through. My attorney will be reaching out, so try to read your mail this time."

Without another word, she turned around to leave. Carrying on this argument had become pointless-whatever was left between them had already faded to nothing. As for Nova Tech, she and Felix would simply have to carve their own path forward. Challenges lay ahead, but so long as even a thread of hope remained,she would keep pushing.

As she reached the door, Vincent's voice cut through the silence. "Felix's company won't hold out for long."

Hannah tossed a look over her shoulder, lips twisting in scorn. "You know, you could make things easier-why not just help Brinley wipe Nova Tech out yourself? That would save everyone a lot of time."

With her final words, she slipped out of the room without hesitation.

Left behind, Vincent slowly reached into the drawer of his desk, pulling out a velvet ring box. He had meant to offer it as a promise for a fresh start, but Hannah's determination to end things left no room for second chances.

Fine. Since Hannah wanted to walk away, he decided he wouldn't stand in her way. Everyone could be replaced, in the end. It was merely a failed marriage, something he could live with.

Still, the stack of paperwork in front of him blurred together, impossible to focus on.

Discontent simmered under the surface, but Vincent couldn't name the source of his irritation. No matter how he tried, clarity eluded him.

Time slipped by as he sat there, only snapping out of his thoughts when he noticed Brinley had called several times.

When he finally picked up, Brinley's shaky, tear-filled voice spilled through the line.′′Vncent, everything's fallen apart. Hannah-she's destroyed me." "Hannah leaked the photos of me at the police station,"Brinley said, desperation sharpening her words."Now every news site is plastered with my face. Please, Vincent, you have to do something-I can't contain this mess on my own."

"Take it as a hard-earned lesson. You're not blameless here." With that, he ended the call.

The harshness of his reply stunned Brinley into silence. What exactly was Vincent implying?

Rage flashed in her eyes as she turned on the PR team. "What are you waiting for? Unless those articles disappear, nobody leaves this ofice tonight!"