Chapter 244

Hannah's voice carried a steady authority as her gaze cut across the room. "Polaris Tech stands for relentless innovation and true breakthroughs. What drives us isn't gender-it's vision,technology, and the courage to push boundaries."

She leaned in, the quiet force of her presence impossible to ignore. "If anyone here refuses to accept that basic truth,maybe they shouldn't have a seat at this table."

Keenan's cheeks flushed crimson, but before he could spit out a comeback, another shareholder jumped in, anxious to support Keenan. "Ms. Scott, let's be fair-Mr. Castillo just wants what's best for the company. XR tech might sound exciting,but do you realize how massive an investment it'll take? There are real technical obstacles, and what if we pour all our resources in and get nothing back? Isn't it smarter to stick with safe, proven games that turn a profit, instead of charging headlong into something this risky?"

Hannah was ready to dismantle their shallow objections with hard data, but a steady, low voice cut through the tension. "It's normal to have doubts about investment."

It was none other than Vincent. He set his booklet aside,leaning in just enough to command the room's attention. His previous words had reassured the shareholders with a measured tone, but then a cold edge crept into his tone. "But that kind of thinking is limited-deeply shortsighted."

He glanced at Hannah, his eyes distant, as if seeing beyond her to something further. "Investing in this technology is like pouring the concrete for a skyscraper's foundation. Sure, it eats up resources, takes time, and you can't see the final

eats up resources, takes time, and you can't see the final structure yet. You're right about that."

He let the words settle and then fired off the blow, sharp and final. "But while you're hesitating, others will have already built sky-high. If you're still stuck on the foundation then,it'll be far too late."

A razor-thin smile flickered across his face, sharp and dismissive. "By that point, all you'll be able to do is stand by and watch everyone else cash in."

His gaze sliced through the crowd-intense, self-assured, and just a touch disdainful-as he delivered his final verdict."Getting in now isn't just bold. It's strategic. If you sit back and wait for opportunity to knock, aren't you just setting yourself up to lose?"

A wave of discomfort swept through the room. Beads of sweat broke out on more than one shareholder's brow.

Vincent's blunt words landed like stones, shattering the group's composure and sending quiet shockwaves through the assembled shareholders.

Hannah felt a jolt of surprise-his logic mirrored her own,yet he'd managed to strip it down to something devastatingly clear.Vincent's sharp instincts and strategic vision, hisgift for analysis and smooth, effortless rhetoric-none of that could be denied,no matter how tangled her personal feelings had become.

The last time she'd heard him share his insights with this kind of precision and conviction, she'd still been blind, left to judge the world by sound alone. He was more than just the affluent,untouchable CEO of the Jones Group; beneath the title, he was a force to be reckoned with-a man whose talent made others fade into the background.

Hannah drew in a slow, steadying breath, taming the turmoil beneath her cool exterior. She dipped her head to Vincent in

beneath her cool exterior. She dipped her head to Vincent in subtle acknowledgment. "Mr. Jones's perspectiveis exceptionally sharp."

There was no need to heap on praise. The sentiment carried itself in the air between them.

Without missing a beat, she turned to address the rest of the shareholders, her tone crisp and authoritative as she smoothly guided the meeting forward.

The meeting with the shareholders was finally over.

Hannah gathered the last document, pausing when she caught Vincent's figure still looming by the expansive window.

He remained motionless, outlined in the fading light-his broad shoulders and rigid stance radiated a quiet dominance that was impossible to ignore.

After a calming breath, she walked over,pausing just behind him.Basic courtesy demanded she acknowledge him, no matter what lingered between them.′′Mr. Jones, you're still here?"she asked softly.

Vincent's voice carried a detached chill. "I'm waiting for someone."

"Thank you for your help today," Hannah remarked, meeting his gaze head-on-her eyes clear, her tone direct,unwilling to hide behind pleasantries.

Vincent's tone remained calm and unruffled. "I'm merely pointingout the facts."

Before Hannah could respond, her phone vibrated in her suit pocket. The alert pierced the silence. Reflexively, she slid a hand into her pocket and grabbed her phone.

She tapped the screen to unlock it, the glow lighting up her features. Out of the corner of his eye, Vincent caught the sender's name-Claude.

Claude had asked Hannah out for dinner later.

Before Hannah could type her response, Vincent's low,enigmatic voice slipped in from her side. "Is that your boyfriend?"

She hesitated, a faint ripple of surprise in her eyes, but recovered almost instantly. "Mr. Jones, is my personal life really that fascinating to you?"

Vincent met her gaze head-on, stepping closer until she could feel the weight of his presence. "Fascinating? Not quite."

His voice dropped, quiet and indifferent. "I just want to make sure you aren't inviting unnecessary trouble,Ms.Scott.After all..."

He let the silence stretch for a moment and then added with a measured smile, "Because whether you like it or not-we're a little more entangled than before."

A subtle crease appeared between Hannah's brows as uncertainty flickered across her face. "There's nothing between us."

A teasing glimmer lit his gaze. "The connection I mean is-" he murmured, closing the space between them, "I'm a Polaris Tech shareholder now. Did you think I was hinting at something else?"

Color bloomed on Hannah's cheeks, caught off guard by his answer. She quickly sidestepped, taking a few steps forward to put several feet between them.

He pivoted, his face unreadable as he warned in a low, even tone, "Be careful around Claude Hobbes. The man's always scheming, never showing his hand. You'd be wise to keep your distance."