Chapter 175

Heads swiveled toward Sharon the instant she opened her mouth.

Brinley seethed, unable to fathom why Sharon, that meddlesome hag, insisted on inserting herself into every matter. Utterly insufferable.

With a teary, wounded look, Brinley said, "Sharon,just because you're fond of Hannah doesn't mean you can go around saying things like that."

Unmoved, Sharon handed her phone straight to Hannah."Play it."

Hannah, tamping down the flare of fury in her chest,tapped the video open. The recording was unsteady,but every word rang out crisp and unmistakable.

It turned out, on the day in question, that Sharon had gone for a stroll and happened to overhear Brinley and Danica whispering.Catching fragments aboutHannah, she'd hit record without a second thought.

Now, inside the vast hospital room, Danica's and Brinley's voices echoed from the speakers.

Danica had said, "You just said Hannah isn't coming back-what's that supposed to mean? Is she really gone forever?"

Brinley had replied, "Obviously. I've got a friend overseas who can make sure Hannah never returns again." The record ended.

Danica's voice trembled as she rushed out her defense. "This has nothing to do with me! Brinley's the one behind all of it-I wasn't involved."

Vincent shut his eyes, his disappointment plain and unguarded.

Hannah's stare could have sliced through steel as she turned to Brinley. "I always thought it was odd,the way Paige was waiting for me that day. So I was right-you two were in this together. Care to explain yourself now?"With Vincent's cold gaze fixed on her, Brinley clung desperately to denial. "I don't know any Paige. I've never even heard of 'Mist Bar.'"

.Vincent's patience snapped. "That's enough. Just stop lying. Hannah never mentioned 'Mist Bar' to anyone.So,how do you know that name?"

Brinley's composure crumbled, panic flashing acrosS her face. "Vincent-please, just let me explain..."

Brinley reached out to grab his sleeve, but Vincent pulled away, shaking her off. She stumbled, left clutching at empty air.

Vincent's eyes stayed fixed on her, his face cold and unreadable. "What is there to explain? That you nearly got Hannah killed?" His tone was sharp and piercing. "I don't even know who you are anymore."

Brinley broke down, collapsing onto the polished floor as tears spilled unchecked down her cheeks."Vincent, I did everything for you! I just love you too much. Even after your divorce, Hannah wouldn't let you go. I just thought... I figured that if she disappeared, maybe you'd finally notice me. -I wasn't thinking straight..." Her words dissolved into desperate sobs. "Please, Vincent, just this once-just forgive me. I'll never do anything like this again, I swear."

She grabbed at his hand in a frantic plea, but Vincent wrenched free, turning away, jaw clenched, refusing to give her a single glance.

Hannah's voice cut through the tension, icy and unwavering. "Brinley, you don't owe Vincent an apology. The person you hurt is me. And even if you begged, I'd never forgive you."

Sharon's tone left no room for argument. "I want Brinley gone from the Jones estate this instant. From now on, she's cut off from us completely."

Brinley's breath hitched, her sobs trembling in the silence. "Vincent, please... You can't just cast me out. This is all I have-this family is everything."

Danica's voice quavered, unable to hold back. "Isn't this going too far? How could you do this to Brinley?" "Too far?" Hannah's bitter laugh sliced through the tension. "Wasn't it cruel when she set me up like that?"

、Danica shrank back, at a loss for words.

Desperate, Brinley's eyes scoured Vincent's face,hunting for the slightest hint of hesitation. Buthis expression was cold and unyielding-utterly merciless.

Vincent agreed with Sharon's decision. "We'll do as my grandma says." He turned to Brinley, his gaze icy."For years, I've put up with your antics. I never thought you'd actually try to take a life. From now on,the Jones family severs all ties with you."

Brinley crumpled on the floor, her face drained of all color, looking as though her entire world had just collapsed.

Hannah crouched beside Brinley, her voice low and taunting. "Must sting, doesn't it? After everything you did, I'm still the one left standing." "You!" Brinley, shaking with rage, swung her hand at Hannah's cheek, but Hannah snatched her wrist with ease.

"Slapping, huh? Don't make me laugh. I've got way more experience than you!" Hannah snapped back,twisting Brinley's arm and landing two sharp slaps across her face. "Consider that payback."