Chapter 194

While finalizing details for the Bluebay Shores development project, Vincent received a message. The word "date" leapt out at him, snagging his focus like a burr. His gaze sharpened.

Checking his watch, he realized the meeting had dragged on for less than half an hour. This sort of meeting was hardly worth his time, but he'd insisted on attending anyway. Staying busy was the only thing that kept his mind from spiraling.

The next stretch of days blurred by in a storm of meetings and flights. He even flew abroad to track down a top defense attorney for Brinley, bargaining for a lighter sentence on her behalf.

When Brinley asked to see him, he refused outright. He wouldn't let himself waver again.

As soon as word reached him that Miles was making moves to acquire Polaris Tech, Vincent didn't hesitate-he went down to the company himself.

Jones Group had no intention of letting Polaris Tech slip away. In fact, Erica had been relentless lately,throwing her full weight behind the plan to wrest control. Vincent hadn't agreed.

Vincent met Miles at Polaris headquarters, cutting straight through the pleasantries. "What's suddenly got you so eager to buy Polaris Tech?"

The air between them was always brisk, never clouded by manipulation or false fronts. Miles didn't bother to hide anything. "This started because of Hannah," he answered with his usual bluntness. "She pitched me on a partnership. Plus, I see real potential in gaming, so l agreed."

Vincent's eyes narrowed. He picked up on the real game immediately.′′She asked you to step in so l wouldn't find out?"

Miles replied with a nod, cool and unapologetic, "That's right."

"Got it." Vincent's expression shuttered, impossible to read. Without a flicker of hesitation, he made up his mind. "Polaris Tech is yours for half its market price."

Miles arched an eyebrow in surprise. The deal was falling into his lap, but the undercurrent was obvious.

"Funny. For someone who claims not to care about Hannah, you've certainly gone above and beyond for her."

Miles had noticed it. From funneling ten million into Hannah's company to unloading Polaris Tech at a loss,every move pointed back to her.

Vincent's stare turned ice-cold. "Whatever I do for Hannah is none of your concern."

Catching the warning in his tone, Miles let it go. The paperwork was signed and sealed in record time.

As Miles started to leave the conference room, Vincent's voice stopped him, quiet but with a bite beneath the politeness. "Hold on. I hear you've been... going on blind dates with my ex-wife recently?"

There it was, plain as day. Miles almost denied it, but after catching the look in Vincent's eyes, he went against the truth instead. "Indeed, Mr.Jones."

Miles made it sound casual, but the answer was deliberate-he wanted to see what Vincent would do with it.

A crease formed between Vincent's brows. "Thought you couldn't stand blind dates."

"I can't," Miles said, his mouth twitching with a wry smile. "But when my mom sets them up, I'm not exactly in a position to refuse."

Vincent's gaze turned even more unreadable. "So? You into Hannah now?"

Miles just lifted a brow, voice steady as ever. "Not at the moment."

Vincent didn't have the nerve to ask Hannah what she was thinking. The longer he brooded over it, the more the tension seemed to coil in his chest.

Vincent eventually let Miles go and lingered in the empty conference room, sinking into silence as the hours crawled by.

That evening, Vincent returned to the Jones family estate to find Danica perched on the sofa, a thick photo album open across her lap. She beckoned him over with a bright wave. "Vincent, come take a look at this."

The album wasn't just glossy portraits-each page was crowded with/names, family trees, and carefully typed phone numbers.

Danica tapped on a particular page, her eyes shining with hope."Here-what do you think of this lady?"

His jaw tightened as he eyed the page."What is this supposed to be?"

Danica gave a small, knowing smile. "I know you're not going to love this. But it's been a while since the divorce. You can't stay single forever, Vincent. After everything that happened with Brinley... It's time to settle down." She figured that maybe if he remarried, the endless gossip among the socialites would finally die down.

Now, thinking back to that ill-fated birthday party-introducing Brinley as his fiancée-Danica winced inwardly. The scandal made her the joke of their group, with people saying she couldn't spot a gold digger from a criminal. Desperate to salvage her reputation, she threw herself into finding him a respectable match.

"I'm not interested," Vincent stated, his voice devoid of emotion.

"At least consider them. These women come from respectable families," Danica insisted.

He lingered over the album, flipping through a few pages without expression. "Alright. I'll take a look."

Danica's entire face brightened, relief flooding her voice. "That's all I ask! If anyone stands out, let me know."

He carried the album up to his room, the weight of it oddly heavy in his hands. Once the door clicked shut behind him, Vincent called Derek to track down Irene's number.

When Irene realized Vincent was on the other end of the line, her heart skipped.

"Mrs. Whitaker," Vincent began, his eyes still fixed on the album, his voice even but deliberate."Itseems you've been giving Miles a hand with his dating life recently."

He let the line hang for a momment and then continued,"Coincidentally, I might have a promising introduction for him. Would you be interested?"