Chapter 180

Brinley had spent several days recovering in the hospital, but Vincent hadn't visited her once. She made sure to mention her hospital stay to Daphne.

Within the hour, Daphne showed up clutching a bag of fruits. "Brinley, are you alright?"

A slight paleness lingered on Brinley's face as she shared the news. "According to the doctor, I'm all clear now."

Brinley started to extend her left hand-wrapped in gauze-to gesture at the chair, but just as quickly,she tucked it back beneath the covers.

Daphne, eyes sharp, caught the movement right away. "Brinley, what happened to your hand?"

Brinley faltered, her eyes welling up before tears spilled over. "I just... I didn't want to keep living." Daphne's entire demeanor shifted, her voice low and urgent."Tell me-what happened?"

"Hannah and Vincent may be divorced, but she's still hanging onto him. And now-" Brinley broke off,pressing trembling fingers to her eyes as fresh sobs shook her shoulders. "She even said she wants to marry him again. She wants me out of the Jones estate for good."

She wept harder, carefully watching for a reaction.Daphne's expression darkened with outrage as she believed Brinley's manipulative words without hesitation. "She didn't act like this when we were overseas.Why is she showing her true colors after returning? That woman is absolutely shameless."

After a pause, Daphne promised fiercely, "Don't cry,Brinley. I'll stand up for you!"

Brinley made a mock attempt to caution Daphne."Daphne, please-don't get yourself dragged into this because of me. Hannah's ruthless."

Daphne's chin lifted in stubborn defiance. "My brother's got my back. I'm not scared of her."

A sly, almost triumphant little smile crept across Brinley's lips.

Once Daphne left, quiet settled over the hospital room.

Later, Brinley heard from Danica that Vincent had been making regular trips to visit Sharon. Though her ward and Sharon's shared the hospital building,he hadn't appeared in front of her even once.

A restless anxiety churned in Brinley's chest. In the end, she caved and sent Vincent a message.

Not long after, Vincent finally appeared at her door.

The moment she spotted him, she pushed herself upright, hands trembling as she tried to sit up straight.

Vincent's gaze remained frosty as he stepped inside."Don't get up. I'm only here for a minute," he said, his voice clipped and distant.

Brinley forced a faint, apologetic smile, her words spilling out in a rush. "I'm truly sorry about what went down with Hannah. I promise it won't happen again.Can you forgive me?" She straightened her posture,trying to brush everything off.

Vincent offered no comfort. His voice was as measured as ever. "We only live once. You shouldn't ·throw yours away so recklessly."

He hesitated, the silence heavy between them,before adding, "Think about your father and your brother. They wouldn't want to see you like this."

Tears welled up in Brinley's eyes as she whispered, "I only acted that way because I thought you'd stopped caring about me. I wasn't thinking straight...I won't ever do it again." Her face remained ashen, but every word trembled with seemingly earnest regret.

Vincent stood silent for a long moment, his gaze unreadable, before finally saying, "You still can't stay at the Jones estate any longer."

Shock rippled across Brinley's face. The words landed like a blow, and tears slid down her cheeks in an unstoppable rush. Her voice broke, thick with despair. "Vincent, you're still going to kick me out?"

Vincent met her gaze with cool composure. "Didn't I already give you an apartment? From now on, that's where you'll stay. We're not actually siblings. It's not good for your reputation if you keep living in my family home. I should've thought that through sooner."

Brinley's sobs shook her thin frame. "Do you really have to make me leave?"

"If you don't want that apartment, I'll find you a different place," Vincent muttered, his voice steady,leaving no room for argument.

She wept quietly, searching his face for any hint of mercy. Seeing none, she tried a tentative plea."Could I stay at the Lakeshore Villa instead?"

"No." Vincent shut her down without a moment's pause. That villa had been his and Hannah's former home-there was no way he'd let anyone else live there.

Vincent, clearly done with the conversation, gave a curt wave of dismissal. "If it's about where you stay,take it up with my mother."

He straightened his cuffs, a crisp snap of fabric punctuating his words, and then rose from the sofa with chilly efficiency. "Get some sleep. I've got work to do."

Brinley said nothing, her knuckles turning white as she clenched her fists beneath her blanket,refusing to let any emotion show.

Meanwhile, inside the gleaming offices of Nova Tech,Daphne swept in, trailed by her brother's tech consultant.

She wasted no time nitpicking, her every comment dripping with disdain as she picked apart minor flaws and watched the staff scramble in her wake.

With all the arrogance of a pampered heiress,Daphne c nearest manager. "Ms. Scott doesn't dare face me herself, so she sent you lot to brush me off?" She folded her arms with a scoff. "I'm not that easy to deal with."