Chapter 170

Paige's breath warmed Hannah's ear, yet it sent a shiver down her spine.

Suppressing her nerves, Hannah responded, "I hear you. Anticipate my update."

Determination flashed through Hannah's eyes.Tomorrow marked her single opportunity to flee! She had to seize it.

Paige exited with a sly grin, and the monitoring resumed.

Hannah faced away from the lens, faking interest in training footage, while stealthily retrieving the tablet tucked beneath her tongue and grinding it into fine dust with her thumb.

Vincent's men tapped the GPS of the cab Hannah once rode in to track down the Mist Bar and cross-checked their systemn to confirm an illicit deal was scheduled in a few days.

.They urged Vincent to remain composed. But Vincent was nearing his limit. He barged into the bar multiple times, always without spotting Hannah.

Then, on the second day, three vehicles departed the Mist Bar, each heading a separate way.

Vincent split his squad into three segments for pursuit.

Vincent and two of his men followed the third car.

Meanwhile, inside a vehicle, Hannah guessed the car had already driven far from the Mist Bar. She silently slipped off her slender belt, butas she attempted to raise her arm, she realized her energy was gone.

Her vision spun, and it dawned on her that, given Paige's cautious tendencies, she had been sedated to eliminate risk.

Still, this was her one opening-she couldn't let it vanish. She bit down on her lip, the metallic taste of blood sharpening her focus.

The two men ahead, perhaps thinking Hannah was incapacitated, had lowered their vigilance.

Hannah abruptly surged forward, wrapping the belt around the driver's throat, yanking hard, causing the ,car to jerk out of control.

Vincent and his team, noticing the erratic swerving,accelerated in pursuit. Through the window,Vincent spotted Hannah inside.

Vincent quickly drove ahead, maneuvering his car to force the other vehicle to a stop.

Hannah let go, disregarded the gasping driver, and pushed the door open to flee.

The man in the front passenger seat shook off his haze, snatched a blade, and gave chase.

Seeing Hannah through his mirror, Vincent leapt from his vehicle and dashed toward her.

The drug muddled Hannah's thoughts, but she sensed footsteps gaining on her and forced herself onward.

The sounds behind her grew louder.

Her pursuer swung a blade, but she didn't see it coming.

Suddenly, a figure dashed in, pulling her close to take the hit in her place.

Red splashed across her face, blinding her. Still, she heard the voice calling "Hannah" over and over. That voice belonged to Vincent.

Before Hannah could respond, darkness overtook her,and she blacked out.

Two days on, inside a medical center, Hannah regained consciousness, jolting upright, fearing she had been relocated again.

Scanning the space, she noticed her hospital gown

and exhaled in relief. She was no longer in danger.

Then, the blade came to mind-the one from right before she passed out. It seemed Vincent had shielded her.

Not spotting Vincent, Hannah turned to the nurse changing her IV drip and asked, "Excuse mne, where's the person who came with me?"

The nurse thought a moment before replying, "He sustained grave injuries and is still in the ICU."

After the IV was changed, Hannah hesitated, but eventually asked about the ICU location and walked out with the drip stand.

Outside the ICU, she noticed a nurse covering someone with a sheet. The monitor beside the bed displayed a flatline, with all readings at zero.

Hannah froze, stunned.

The nurse spotted her and asked, "Are you his relative?"

Caught off guard, Hannah gave a dazed nod.

The nurse offered a gentle sigh. "He didn't make it.My condolences."

Hannah kept flashing back to that moment-falling into Vincent's embrace, hearing her name in his faint voice. His voice had sounded so fragile then. Was the wound deep enough to take his life?

Hannah stood still, unable to accept that Vincent was gone because of her.

The nurse asked, "Would you like a final moment with him?"

Hannah slowly shook her head, unable to handle the sight. "No,thank you."

Tears welling, she turned aside, her fingers loosening from the IV stand, lettingit slip downward.

Right then, a hand reached forward, steadying the stand.

Vincent's complexion was pale, but he managed a smirk. "Not dead yet. Save the tears for later."