Chapter 167

Vincent's throat rasped. "Couldn't you give me even one opportunity?"

'Hannah's response sliced through him. "An opportunity? Give you that? It's a miracle I don't despise you outright."

The frost in her tone struck like a dagger. Vincent masked the sting and regarded her intently. "Well then, regarding your moderate depression... Do you still need medical attention?"

At this, Hannah's expression shifted as if something clicked, and she scoffed. "So that's the root of your remorse-because you're guilty and eager to atone for it."

"I..." Vincent faltered.

Hannah stared through him. "Let me make this crystal clear. Regardless of your efforts, the wounds you've left can never be undone."

With that unflinching declaration, she pivoted and walked away.

Brinley observed Vincent's defeated posture, biting her lip with a quiet sigh before drifting off silently.She resolved right there and then that she would ensure Hannah stayed confined here forever, never crossing paths with Vincent again.

The thought lit a cold fire behind Brinley's gaze.

On the third morning at the guesthouse, Felix,haunted by rejection, barely caught a wink until daylight crept in. He remained asleep until late afternoon, waking only by five in the afternoon.

Upon waking, he skipped looking for Hannah and went straight to a tavern.

Brinley, who had been keeping tabs on him,silently trailed behind.

As she had suspected, Felix downed several strong drinks as soon as he arrived at the bar. He soon passed out.

Brinley seized the moment to grab his phone,.unlocking it smoothly using his fingerprint.

She located Hannah's contact swiftly, sent over a picture of the unconscious Felix, and then typed a message in the voice of a bartender. "Hi,are you close to this guy? He's blackout drunk here, and we couldn't get any address-mind picking him up?"

Brinley waited with calm anticipation for Hannah's response.

Five minutes later, she received a response from Hannah. "Hi, I know him. Kindly send the location. I'll be there."

Brinley shot back the location. "Mist Bar."

In truth, Felix was passed out in Haven Bar.

Mist Bar, wild and rowdy, was the most unruly spot Brinley had scouted the previous evening-nowhere near the guesthouse.After setting the trap, Brinley returned to the guesthouse.She arrived just as Hannah stepped out.

Brinley casually bumped into Hannah, causing 、Hannah's bag to fall to the floor.

"Oops, I'm such a klutz," Brinley said, crouching down and swiping Hannah's phone swiftly.

Hannah, distracted by worry for Felix, scooped up her things and rushed off without noticing.

Brinley's eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction as she watched Hannah go.

"Hannah, don't take it personally-today's chaos is just your own doing," Brinley mused inwardly,lips curving in amusement.

Confirming that Vincent and Daphne weren't around,Brinley strode to the front desk and requested a key to Hannah's room, pretending to be Hannah's friend.Inside Hannah's room, she easily located the passport.

Peering at Hannah's passport, Brinley gave ascornful laugh before shredding it and flushing the pieces. She tossed all of Hannah's items into a suitcase without hesitation.

Back at the front desk, Brinley gestured to the case."She asked me to pack her stuff and handle checkout."

A few keyboard taps later, the receptionist nodded."All set, room 103 is cleared."

Brinley offered a polite thank-you. To erase the trail,she drove several miles and dumped the suitcase into a roadside bin. Now, returning wasn't an option for Hannah.

Hannah followed the map's guidance for what felt like forever before reaching Mist Bar.

The venue was chaotic, packed with unruly patrons.Inside,judgmental stares greeted her.

Swallowing her unease, Hannah scanned the crowd but saw no sign of Felix. She reached for her phone to call, but it wasn't in her bag. She was certain she'd taken it with her.

She froze, recalling the brief run-in with Brinley moments before her departure. It had to be Brinley.

With no phone and her bracelet left at home for servicing, Hannah turned to leave.

Suddenly, a hulking man with tattoos stepped in front of her. "Hey beautiful, why don't you join me?"

A chill raced through her veins as she managed a strained smile.