Chapter 137

Long before sunrise, Hannah and Felix boarded a private jet bound for Dace Island.

A local guide joined them upon arrival, eager to showcase every hidden corner of the place.

Instead of rugged hills or dense jungle, the island stretched out flat and wide, revealing breathtaking stretches of coastline and easygoing, welcoming locals.

As they wandered, Hannah's attention was snagged on an old, weather-beaten house. Instantly,she saw past the chipped paint and sagging roof, envisioning a modern factory humming with activity.

Once she floated her vision to a few locals, excitement buzzed through the crowd-the promise of new jobs stirred real enthusiasm.

Buoyed by their reaction, Hannah's confidence soared. That was what she wanted.

When the tour ended, she didn't pause for small talk. Felix in tow, she made a beeline for the government office,ready to pitch their plan to buy Dace Island.

Inside, the local officials radiated indifference, barely glancing up as she outlined her proposal.

Annoyance building,Hannah brought her hand down hard on the desk. "I'm putting ten million dollars on the table."

A stunned hush filled the room as all eyes snapped to her. One skeptical official broke the silence. "You seriously have that kind of cash?"

Stepping closer, Hannah's expression didn't waver."Why would I travel all this way just to joke around?"

That shifted the atmosphere instantly. Suddenly, the officials were eager, bombarding them with talk about prime beachfronts and all the investment perks the island could offer.

Catching Felix's eye, Hannah knew-at last, they had everyone's attention.Always impatient with drawn-out negotiations, Hannah sliced through their chatter. "Let's skip the formalities. Bring me the contract."

Recognizing she wasn't bluffing, the officials dropped their bureaucratic act. In no time, Hannah and Felix put pen to paper, making Dace Island officially theirs.

Later, Felix tried to split the payment, but Hannah waved him off.′′Save it.Keep your cash for Nova Tech's payroll."

Felix shifted uncomfortably. "Seriously, I can't let you foot the whole bill."

A playful grin tugged at HHannah's lips. "No worries. I'm quite loaded now."

Eyes scanning the endless blue horizon, she added with a spark of determination,"We'll earn that ten million back before you know it."

Faced with her confidence, Felix surrendered and laughed.

By sunrise the following day, Felix hit the ground running, spreading the word about the factory to the locals.Meanwhile,Hannah was neck-deep in renovation discussions with a team of contractors.

In the middle of reviewing blueprints, she happened to spot a familiar figure touring the island with a local guide. And it was none other than Miles.

Miles, who'd kept his trip hush-hush, stiffened when he spotted Hannah.

She greeted him with an easy nod. "Mr. Whitaker, what a coincidence running into you here."

A shadow of suspicion crossed Miles's face. "What, youtailing me again?"

Hannah just laughed, tugging off her gloves and moving closer. "Not at all,Mr.Whitaker. Let me roll out the welcome mat-this island belongs to me now."

A look of disbelief crossed Miles's face. "You bought this place?"

Sensing his skepticism, Hannah reached into her tote and produced the freshly signed contract, waving it for emphasis. "Sealed the deal just yesterday." Disappointment flickered across Miles's features. Dreams of transforming Dace Island into a luxury resort had been building in his mind. He'd pictured himself leading the charge. Instead, Hannah had gotten here first and snatched the opportunity from right under his nose.

A note of irritation crept into his voice. "Why did you suddenly buy an entire island?"

Hannah didn't miss the edge in his tone. She knew exactly why he was here-he'd come to claim Dace Island for himself. "Simple. I see profit everywhere," she replied, flashing a bold grin, ambition blazing in her eyes.

Unwilling to walk away, Miles asked, "How much do you want? Name your price."

Hannah picked up on his determination, her mind spinning with possibilities. Mischief danced in her gaze."Why not join forces, Mr. Whitaker? Two heads might turn a bigger profit."

A scowl deepened across Miles's brow. "I didn't come here for collaboration," he retorted, his patience running thin.

Hannah stood her ground, not the slightest bit rattled. "That's how it is, Mr. Whitaker. Dace Island belongs to me now. Either you join forces with me or start packing for your flight home."

Miles's glare grew colder. "So you're forcing my hand, trying to rope me into your plans?"

Her smile dropped away, replaced by an unwavering calm. "Nothing like that. It's simple: we can turn this place into something big, pocket the profits, and give the locals a better life while we're at it."

Deep down,Hannah felt certain-Nova Tech's lineup would dominate at the bidding, no underhanded games required.

Miles kept his gaze fixed on her, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. Several silent moments stretched out before he finally relented.′′A|right.I'm in."

Meanwhile, Vincent's grandmother had picked up a stubborn cold after visiting an old friend, prompting Vincent to rush her to the hospital without a second thought. For four days straight, Vincent had tried to reach Hannah, but every attempt ended in silence. No hospital visits. No phone calls. She'd even blocked his number entirely.

Instead, her divorce attorney had started making regular appearances at Jones Group headquarters.Vincent refused to deal with a go-between. If she wouldn't talk tohim herself, what was the point?

He had always needed to feel in control of their relationship. Now, with Hannah completely shutting him out,he was left feeling the power slip from his grasp.