Chapter 184

Hannah clenched her jaw, pushing through the sharp, relentless pain as sweat dotted her forehead. She gripped the railing tightly, limping carefully down the stairs.

The footsteps behind her grew louder and nearer. Quietly, she fumbled in her bag, clutching the pepper spray tightly, holding her breath to steady the frantic beat of her heart.

"Hannah!" A voice echoed sharply through the darkness.

Vincent? Hannah's brows knitted together in confusion. What was he doing here?

Still, recognizing the voice eased her fear slightly. She steadied herself against the railing and cautiously continued downward.

When a beam of light from below flickered up the stairwell, Hannah called out weakly, "I'm here."

Hearing her voice, Vincent quickened his steps and quickly reached her side.

"Are you hurt?"

"What the hell brought you here?"

They spokesimultaneously.

Hannah switched off the flashlight on her phone and shook her head dismissively. "I'm fine."

Vincent exhaled sharply, visibly relieved. Ignoring her question, he asked coldly, "Does your company rely solely on you to stay afloat? It's nearly eleven, and you're still not home."

For a brief moment, seeing Vincent appear out of the darkness had made her feel genuinely grateful. But after hearing his sharp remark, her gratitude faded instantly. "Exactly. And whose fault is that? Nova Tech wouldn't be struggling this much if it weren't for you."

Vincent fell silent, unable or unwilling to argue back.

Hannah asked, "So why are you here?"

Vincent brushed past her, taking the lead. "I was just passing by."

Hannah followed closely behind, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What a convenient coincidence."

Vincent paused, allowing her to move ahead.

Just as he stepped behind her, the flashlight in his hand flickered unsteadily before plunging the stairwell into darkness.

Hannah immediately tried switching her phone's flashlight back on-only to discover it had died.Panic rising, she clutched the handrail tighter. "Where's your phone? Turn on your flashlight!"

Pitch black enveloped them. With her night blindness, Hannah felt utterly vulnerable, frozen in place.

Vincent had already begun patting his pockets the moment the flashlight went out, but he couldn't find his phone. "I forgot it. I'll guide you down."

He reached out to take Hannah's wrist, but she stubbornly clung to the railing. "I...I'll just go slow."

The darkness in front of her seemed endless, every step feeling like a dangerous leap into the unknown. She inched forward, hesitant and afraid.

Impatient, Vincent decided not to waste another moment. Swiftly, he stepped two stairs down, turned around,and lifted Hannah onto his back in one fluid movement.

Hannah yelped in surprise, her voice echoing sharply through the stairwell, "What are you doing?"

"Carrying you," Vincent replied calmly, readjusting her weight securely.

His shoulder dug awkwardly into her chest, and she wriggled uncomfortably. "Put me down! I can walk."

"Stop squirming," Vincent warned firmly. "If I trip, we'll both go down."

Reluctantly, Hannah ceased struggling, though she didn't give up protesting entirely. "Then put me down already."

Vincent didn't answer, simply continuing down the staircase with steady determination, Hannah secured on his back.

Behind the fire exit they had just passed, a shadow moved quietly, slipping away unnoticed.

When they finally emerged into the brightly lit space outside, Vincent carefully set Hannah down.

She wobbled slightly, barely able to stand. Vincent's eyes drifted downward, his expression darkening when he saw her badly swollen right ankle.

He crouched beside her foot. Hannah instinctively tried to step back, but he firmly held her in place."You call this fine?" he asked, his voice tense with concern.

"None of your business," Hannah retorted sharply, forcing herself to limp forward stubbornly. Her only wish now was to hail a cab and get home as quickly as possible.

But before she could take another step, Vincent scooped her effortlessly into his arms. Ignoring her startled protests, he swiftly carried her to the waiting Bentley and shoved her inside.

As Hannah reached for the door, Vincent silently signaled Derek, who promptly locked it.

Frustration clear on her face, Hannah glared at Vincent. "Now what are you up to?"

Vincent stared straight ahead. "Taking you to the hospital."