Chapter 242

"Mom, Dad, I bumped into Claude today," Hannah mentioned while slipping on her slippers at the door.

"Claude?" Raymond glanced up, his spectacles sliding lower on his nose with astonishment. "That boy from the Hobbes family?Hasn't he been out of touch for a long time?"

Margaret's look held mixed emotions. "Is everything alright with him?"

Hannah settled between her mother and father on the couch,holding a throw pillow close. "He's actually thriving. He's now running Fontaine Galleria. We spoke about a future joint venture today."

"I had a hunch there was more going on with his background when his actual dad arrived to collect him at that time,"Raymond said.

Margaret exhaled slowly. "He went through so much back then after his mom abandoned him. Living on the streets at five...It's good to see him rise above that."

"Come on, let's have dinner first!"

In the study of the Jones family estate, Vincent stood silently with his back to the door, facing the towering glass panel. His whiskey tumbler had long since been empty.

A gentle knock sounded, and the door opened with a slight creak.

Erica stepped in, carrying a dainty white porcelain bowl

Erica stepped in, carrying a dainty white porcelain bowl."Vincent, drinking alone at this hour?" she asked softly. "I heard you didn't touch your meal, so l prepared some broth. It's best while still warm."

She set the tray on a corner of the large table, her eyes habitually scanning the room. Her eyes landed briefly on a file resting nearby, though she couldn't make out its contents.

A feeling inside warned Erica that it held weight.

Vincent, deep in thought, scowled faintly at the intrusion but didn't shift.

Erica moved with careful steps toward the file. "Skipping dinner isn't good for your health..."

Her tone was gentle, pretending to adjust the tray while drawing nearer to the chair.

All at once, she appeared to lose her footing, gasping as the tray lurched! The porcelain shattered on impact, spilling hot liquid across the ornate rug.

"Oh! I... I didn't mean to-I'll fix this immediately," Erica blurted,her voice breaking with emotion. Amid the mess, her eyes caught a few words on te sheet-"remarriage agreement",and Hannah's name stood out.

The noise dragged Vincent from his daze, and he pivoted around abruptly. "Leave!"

"I'm going! I'll clean it and go right now!" Erica quivered,frantically dabbing the floor, nearly running out of the study,softly pulling the door shut.

But her expression turned icy the instant the latch clicked.

Once inside her bedroom, a wave of shadow swept over her features. Remarry? Her scream was silent, but the jealousy in her gaze burned like fire. Was Vincent planning to remarry

her gaze burned like fire. Was Vincent planning to remarry Hannah?

Erica's nails pressed into her palms, thoughts spiraling about how long she'd waited to become his bride, hoping endlessly for the day she would claim the title of Mrs. Jones.

She had stood by as Vincent split from Hannah and Brinley's imprisonment. Surely, now was her time to ascend as Mrs.Jones. He wanted to remarry Hannah? Not a chance. She had to act. She couldn't delay any further.

At 3:30 a.m., clad only in a sheer silk slip, Erica hesitated outside Vincent's bedroom. She eased the handle-the door moved. Victory! He hadn't locked it.

Erica's chest swelled with glee as she stepped in, gently closing the entrance behind her.

Adrenaline surged through her veins, heat rising to her cheeks.She reached the mattress-only to find it vacant. So, Vincent was still in the study?

Acting swiftly, she returned to the study. Just as she guessed,he was resting there.

She quietly lifted the duvet and slipped under it, letting her gown fall beside the bed. When morning came, the game would be hers.

By sunrise, she held onto the covers as if anchoring herself,rising to a seated position, weeping. "Oh... Vincent, how could you... How could you betray me like this... I'm your aunt! How can I face anyone after this..."

She embraced the role of a heartbroken woman flawlessly.

The sobbing brought Danica first, who, hearing a woman inside Vincent's study, turned the knob and was surprised it was unlocked. She froze upon seeing the room's contents and then quickly instructed a servant to summon Sharon.

Sharon entered moments later, assisted by Aubrey. her demeanor stern. "What's happening in here?"

Erica, face wet with tears, opened her mouth to answer-then noticed the man next to her stirring. She turned her face away,continuing to cry.

A strange male voice, sleepy and confused, cut through the tension. It wasn't Vincent!

Erica went still, her entire body numbing.