Chapter 237

The band played a gentle melody as Hannah followed Miles's lead, her dress swirling gracefully with every turn.

Every subtle detail-Hannah's effortless poise, the spark of confidence in her eyes-Vincent noticed all of it. Yet, when his focus dropped to their clasped hands, a flash of something fierce and unsettled crossed his expression, like a storm threatening to break.

Erica stepped closer, offering him a soft smile."Vincent,would you care to dance with me?"

She reached out with her hand, waiting patiently for Vincent's response.

But Vincent didn't even acknowledge her, his gaze locked on Hannah and Miles as they moved across the floor. Without a word, he strode past Erica,making a direct line for the center of the ballroom.

Erica's smile vanished, her cheeks went pale, and she stood frozen, feeling the sting of rejection in front of everyone.

Meanwhile, at the heart of the dance floor, the music drifted on, and Miles kept a respectful space between him and Hannah.

That was when Vincent stepped in. Moving with the authority of someone used to getting what he wanted,he closed the distance. His left hand moved -not abrupt or forceful, but precise and intentional-swiftly swapping Miles's hold for his own.

In a blink, Vincent slipped his hand into Hannah's,seamlessly taking over where Miles had left off. At the same time, his right hand settled firmly against the small of her back,possessive and exact.

The whole transition was effortless-a silent show of command that left no room for argument. Not a single word was needed. Pure, unwaveringpossession radiated from Vincent.

Miles barely had time to react before Hannah was pulled away, swept from his hold by Vincent's undeniable force. Just like that, he was sidelined,reduced to an outsider.

"Pardon us, Mr. Whitaker." Vincent's tone was smooth and quiet, carrying an air of unshakable command, like swapping partners mid-dance was simply how things were done.

Stunned, Hannah suddenly found herself pressed against Vincent's cold, firm chest, a chill mixed with intense pressure wrapping around her.

As soon as their hands met, the storm in Vincent's gaze eased, if only a little.

"Vincent!" Hannah hissed, her words tight with frustration.

"What? Not pleased to see me?" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, eyes tracking her every reaction. Hannah felt like rolling her eyes. No one enjoyed being passed between dance partners without warning.

Hannah started stepping back, purposely throwing off the rhythm Vincent tried to set. With every move,she aimed to make her way back to Miles's side.

But Vincent anticipated every move, closing the gap each time she tried to slip away. His grip tightened,pulling her closer, nearly pinning her to his chest.

Anyone watching would've seen the struggle playing out right in the middle of the dance floor.

"Oh dear!" A woman dressed in a champagne-colored satin gown let out a startled gasp, hand flying to her lips. "Wait, am I seeing this right?Vincent? He's dancing with Hannah? Doesn't he know Hannah is dating Miles?"

"Doesn't Vincent usually avoid these events?" a woman in emerald green remarked, her brows knitting together. "Mr. Jones never sticks around.He always just makes an appearance and disappears.

Tonight, not only is he actually dancing, but he swoopoed in and took Miles's date right in front of everyone..."

The whispers spread like wildfire, stirring up excitement and confusion all at once.

Off to the side, Erica stayed rooted in place, her hands unconsciously balled into fists as she watched everything unfold.

Beneath the dazzling chandelier, the music carried on, soft and elegant.

Vincent kept his arm locked around Hannah's waist,refusing to let her pull away.

As they turned together, Vincent leaned in, his voice barely above a murmur. "Miles makes a fantastic business partner."

His tone was casual, asif he was making small talk about work, his gaze fixed on the swirl at the top of her head rather than her eyes.

Hannah said nothing, allowing him to guide her into a

sharper, more forceful spin.

As the spin ended, the space between them disappeared, forcing Hannah even closer.

Vincent's voice dropped even lower, his breath warm against the curve of her ear. "Lately, I've noticed how closely he's been looking out for you."

He hesitated, searching for the right words."Impressively attentive."

His attention slid downward, settling on her lowered profile.

"And this... The attentiveness he shows-"He swallowed hard, his jaw tense, as if what he was about to say took every ounce of his strength. "Has it gone beyond a strictly professional relationship?"

Hannah's head shot up, eyes blazing with anger."That's quite the question, Mr. Jones," she replied coldly, each syllable razor-sharp.

"Whatever Mr. Whitaker and I have, whatever boundaries exist or don't..." A frosty smile tugged ather lips, devoid of any warmth. "It's not your business anymore-ex-husband."

She made sure to emphasize "ex-husband," letting them cut deeper than anything else she could have said.

A deep line etched itself between Vincent's brows.