Chapter 198

Hannah wasted no time pulling herself free from Vincent's hold and getting to her feet. "This is my life. You don't get to tell me what to do."

On the ground, Vincent let out a small groan. "I... I don't think I can stand up right now."

She moved aside, folding her arms, her tone cool. "Spare me your act." For someone who worked out as much as he did, he should have been sturdy enough to get up on his own.

"I'm not faking," Vincent said as beads of sweat started forming on his forehead. "Lend me a hand, will you?"

He extended his arm, hoping she'd pull him up.

She paused, considering, but instead of grabbing his hand, she stepped behind him and gave him a solid shove upward. The scrape on his back was already bleeding, his shirt torn and stained red. Her brow knit in irritation. "I could've avoided that car myself."

Vincent turned and met her eyes. "There was no time to think. I couldn't risk it."

Her gaze grew stern.

A faint smile flickered on his lips. "Were you scared something might happen to me?"

Hannah frowned.""Don't fool yourself."

"It's nothing serious. Just a few scrapes and bruises," he said casually, though he never took his eyes off her.

"You should get checked out at the hospital,"she said, her patience running thin.

He took a cautious step toward her. "How about you take me there?" He let out another groan, a little dramatic. She immediately backed away, her face full of annoyance. "Your legs work just fine. Why should I be the one to take you? I've got things to do."

His voice dropped, sounding almost hurt. "It really hurts. I can't drive like this." After a beat, he added quietly, "We were married once, you know..."

So he was going to play the sympathy card now? Her expression turned cold. "Don't try to guilt me. There's nothing between us anymore."

Vincent fell silent, caught off guard.

Without another word, Hannah spun on her heel and headed for her car. Vincent was quicker, cutting her off and planting himself right in front of the driver's door. "You seriously won't even give me a ride to the hospital?" His frustration was impossible to miss.

From a hidden spot nearby, Erica watched the whole scene unfold. She had already parked the black car some distance away before returning here.

Originally, she'd tailed Vincent here, hoping to stage a "coincidental" meeting and maybe spark a conversation. Yet, the last thing she'd expected was to spot him with Hannah.

Jealousy had struck so fast that it drowned out every rational thought. Acting on impulse, she'd jumped into a random black car, slammed on the gas, and sped straight toward Hannah. If Vincent hadn't pulled Hannah back at the last second, Hannah might not have survived.

Hatred flashed in Erica's eyes for just a second. By the time she approached them, her expression had changed to one of calculated innocence. Putting on her best act, she smiled as if it were nothing more than an accidental encounter. "Vincent? Ms. Scott? You two had dinner here too?"

Erica's gaze landed on the cut above Vincent's eyebrow, and she gasped, voice full of real concern. "What happened to you? Why did you get hurt?"

Vincent turned away, refusing to meet her eyes. "It's nothing."

Hannah seized the opportunity. "Well, your timing is perfect." She gave Vincent a determined shove in Erica's direction. "He's got a bad scrape on his back. You should get him to the hospital." Vincent didn't move an inch, his attention still fixed on Hannah.

But Hannah had already climbed into her car and pulled away, never once glancing back.

Erica noticed the direction of his gaze and frowned. "Honestly, what is it with you? Every time she's around,you get yourself hurt. If your grandmother hears about this, she'll be heartbroken."

After a pause, she finally voiced what had been on her mind all along, "You really need to stop seeing Hannah. You two are divorced. It's time you moved on."

He barely looked at her. "I know what I am doing." With that, he headed straight for his own car.

Erica reached for his keys, hoping to convince him. "Let me do the driving."

"There's no need.It's not serious." He slid behind the wheel, shutting the door before she could stop him.

She made a move toward the passenger side, but the car was already pulling away. He hadn't even thought about waiting for her.

Erica called after him more than once, but he ignored her completely. She stood alone, watching as he disappeared down the road, her expression growing troubled.

Worried, she decided to drive to the hospital just in case he showed up there. But when she arrived, he was nowhere to be found.

After asking a few questions, she learned that Vincent hadn't come to the hospital for treatment at all-he had gone straight back to his office. Unsure what else to do, she picked up some ointment from the pharmacy and headed over to his workplace.

Vincent, meanwhile, was buried in paperwork. He had done a quick job of tending to his wounds and switched into a fresh shirt.

When his secretary informed him that a wwoman was waiting in reception with medical supplies, his first thought was-Hannah.But as soon as he walked in and saw the figure waiting, it wasn't her.