Chapter 153

Daphne's face broke into a bright smile as she spotted Brinley, hurrying over to wrap Brinley in a warm hug. "Brinley!"

A spark of mischief lit Brinley's eyes the instant she caught sight of Daphne. She wasted no time,grabbing Daphne's wrist and tugging her off to the side. Leaning in, she dropped her voice to a hushed whisper. "You won't believe this-Hannah's heretoo."

Daphne's brows shot up, genuine shock flickering across her face. "Wait, what? Didn't you tell me she's just some housewvife? No real job after the divorce,just drifting from one guy to the next for company.What issomeone like that even doing at a bidding event?"

Every word dripped with scorn.

Brinley, sensing an opening, twisted the knife a little deeper. She jerked her chin toward the far corner, where Hannah sat with Felix. "Why else? She's got her little support system. Felix is absolutely obsessed with her. I barely said a word before the two of them jumped down my throat and told me to keep out of their business."

Daphne's face tightened with indignation."Unbelievable. I'm Miles's sister. If anyone has the right to say something, it's me. I'm going over there."She didn't wait for a reply, marching straight toward the pair.

Across the room, Hannah and Felix were locked in conversation. Felix watched her with a soft, lingering smile, the kind that made their rapport impossible to ignore.

That sight fueled Daphne's irritation. Without breaking stride, she squared her shoulders and stalked over, chin lifted, her every movement brimming with righteous superiority. "This isn't a playground for your little romance. We're here for business, so how about you act like it?"

Hannah's head snapped up, surprise flashing acrossher face as she met Daphne's glare. She sat back in her chair, refusing to shrink away. "You might want to watch your language."

Although their words were quiet, the tension quickly drew curious glances from people nearby.

From a distance, Brinley watched with satisfaction. If Daphne managed to get Hannah booted from the event, all the better.

Vincent drifted to Hannah's side, moving on instinct to shield her from the confrontation.

Brinley lunged to intercept him, but he ignored her entirely, striding straight past and leaving her fuming.She stomped her foot in frustration and rushed to keep up.

"You're still putting on that act? Please. Everyone here knowvs you can't function without a man.Career? Your whole career is latching onto various guys!" Daphne's voice cut sharply through the chatter, her words dripping venom. Daphne's words were outright vile. Hannah didn't hesitate as her palm cracked across Daphne's cheek,the sound reverberating off the marble walls.

Daphne's face flamed an angry red, pain stinging her pride as gasps swept through the watching crowd.No one had ever humiliated her so openly. Her shock twisted instantly into outrage. "How dare you slap me? Do you even realize who you're dealing with?"

Hannah met Daphne's glare without flinching,her tone ice-cold and even. "I don't even know you,but you spread lies about me. I am already being nice by retaliating with just one slap."

Daphne's entire frame shook, her cheeks burning with fury. No one had ever dared to speak to her like this before. She jerked her arm up, hand ready to strike, but Felix moved faster-his grip caught her wrist,unyielding. "Enough. Show some due respect,"he muttered, his voice sharp and unwavering.

Felix released her with a sharp flick, sending her stumbling back a step, her pride shredded. Daphne's voice broke, sharp and shrill. "Security! Throw ths damn woman out! She doesn't belong here!"

Two security guards immediately advanced, but before Felix could react, a voice sliced through the tension-cool and steady, but so authoritative that it halted everyone in their tracks. "I'd like to see anyone try."

Vincent didn't raise his voice, but the sheer command behind it made the air itself bristle. The guards froze mid-step, exchanging wary glances.

Brinley, watching from the sidelines, bit down on her lip,jealousy and frustration twisting her features.

Daphne squared her shoulders, glaring at Vincent as she snapped, "I dare you to stop me!"

She wasn't the slightest bit intimidated-this was her brother's territory, and she acted like she owned the place.

Vincent, however, moved in front of Hannah with deliberate, icy resolve, his stare pinning Daphne in place. "If you so much as touch her, you answer to me."

Felix shot Vincent a sidelong look, his face giving nothing away.

Daphne, undeterred, spun toward the security guards and barked, "What the hell are you waiting for? Get that woman out of here-now! Who signs your paychecks,anyway?"

But the guards stayed rooted to the spot, unwilling to risk Vincent's wrath. No one in the room was foolish enough to go up against him.

Hannah, however, was far from grateful. She shoved Vincent aside with a scowl. "I don't need your interference."

Vincent's face went stone-cold as he responded, "I was defending you."

She leveled him with a piercing stare. "I can fight my own battles." She didn't even bother disguising her indifference. "Let me remind you-we're already divorced." Hannah whirled, eyes icy, leveling a sharp finger at Brinley. "And you-do yourself a favor and keep Vincent out of business that doesn't concern him.I don't need some self-appointed hero swooping in on my behalf."

Vincent spoke up for Hannah for the sake of their past marriage, but her icy rebuff left him raw. The way she dismissed him cut deep, and his temper flared. He shot back, his tone firm and resolute, "So what if we're divorced? I'm not heartless enough to let anyone push you around. If that bothers you,that's your issue, not mine."

A heavy hush fell over the room. So, the rumors had been true all along-Hannah and Vincent really had gotten married and then divorced. And Brinley was really the other woman.

A ripple of judgment swept through the crowd, every gaze settling on Brinley with open disdain.

Feeling the weight of their stares, Brinley balled her fists at her sdes and shot Hannah a look burning with resentment. Daphne looked utterly unbothered, barely blinking at the swirling gossip. She'd long ago chosen sides-Brinley's version was gospel. In her mind, Hannah had swooped in and wrecked a perfect childhood romance, stealing Vincent away and shattering Brinley's dreams.

Curling her lip in mock annoyance, Daphne flashed

Vincent a childish sneer, sticking out her tongue."See? You're falling all over yourself to save her, and she doesn't even appreciate it."

The air in the hall felt impossibly heavy, every breath tinged with expectation. For a long, charged moment, not a single person dared make a sound.

Then, a sharp voice cut through the tension."Mr.Whitaker is here!"

Daphne's eyes went wide, her whole face lighting up with relief. Spotting Miles, she darted over and grabbed his arm like a lifeline, her finger stabbing accusingly toward Hannah. "Miles, she hit me!"