Chapter 248

Vincent's hand shot out on reflex, hovering in the space where Hannah's arm had been. He caught himself, leaving his gesture unfinished as Hannah, unbothered, glided into the Bentley's back seat without the faintest hesitation.

Claude slid in after her, his expression tinged with barely disguised victory.

With a low purr, the car eased into the rain-slicked street.taillights fading into the downpour.

Vincent stood unmoving in the storm, rainwater streaming down his temples, plastering his hair to his forehead and leaving cold tracks on his skin.

A Rolls-Royca Cullinan coasted to the curb, engine humming quietly.

The passenger door swung open, and Milos gostured Vincent in.Vincent ducked inside, settling into tho loathor soat as Miles glanced over with a knowing grin

"Seems you've found yourself a fierco rival. Mr. Jones," Miles remarked, voice casual but his ayas sharp with implication.

Vincant stayed oilont for a moment, his oyos tracking the city lights flickering boyond the glass Undor his breath, he muttered,′′Arival, huh?"

The word tolt torolan on Vincent's tongue. In the businos5world, Claudo wao navor worth a socond thought.

But with Hannah, Vincont found himsolt oft-balanco-unsottlod in a way that rattlad him. He doopised the toolina. It was timo

11

in a way that rattled him. He despised the feeling. It was time to move things forward.

Within the private dining space of a fancy restaurant, Hannah's white truffle chicken pasta sat mostly untouched.

"Not to your liking?" Claude's gaze lingered on Hannah from across the candlelit table, his eyes bright with mischief."That white truffle chicken pasta," he noted, a hint of nostalgia threading his words. "When we were kids, you loved eating every last bite without fail."

He paused just long enough for tension to flicker in the silence.His tone turned light, but the question beneath was pointed."Or is it Vincent still haunting your thoughts?"

Hannah's fingers faltered for a heartbeat before she steadied herself, fatigue flickering in her eyes despite her calm facade."It's not about him," she replied softly, her voice edged with weariness. "I'm just tired, that's all."

Claude carved a neat slice of venison and then set it delicately onto her plate. "Try this. Snow deer-flown in fresh. Supposed to melt the second it touches your tongue."

He slid her wine glass closer with a deft nudge, his movements smooth and almost intimate. "Pairs better with the Burgundy than you'd think."

With a practiced composure, Hannah lifted the meat and tasted it,moving with elegant restraint.

Setting aside his silverware, Claude swirled his wine, his eyes never leaving her face. "I hear Vincent's Project Echelon just scored a huge deal with one of the global telecom giants. His edge stays sharp as ever-ruthless and spot-on. Not many in the industry can still go toe-to-toe with him."

He took a leisurely sip, quietly watching for any ripple in her

He took a leisurely sip, quietly watching for any ripple in her expression.

Hannah's lips twitched, though there wasn't quite a smile. Odd,how Vincent and Claude seemed preoccupied with each other when speaking to her.

She finally met Claude's eyes, her own gaze cool and unwavering. "Vincent's always had sharp instincts-he knows how to work a project from every angle. Project Echelon's risky,sure, but they planned every move. You can tell his team did the research."

Her words were measured, impersonal-one professional sizing up another, no more.

Claude leaned in, curiosity flickering beneath the casual tone."How did you two end up together?" You and Vincent never seemed like you belonged in the same story." His question landed softly, but the intent was clear.

Hannah rested her fork on the linen, her posture composed as she leveled her gaze at him. Not a flicker of emotion crossed her face. "I was just too young back then. Too impulsive. I got married because I wanted to-no plan, no second thoughts."

She could hardly believe it now-how carelessly she'd rushed into marriage.

The memory hovered in the air, her voice even and remote, as if she were describing a stranger's life instead of her own.

Across the table, Claude slipped his phone from his pocket and began scrolling, feigning disinterest as his thumbs danced over the screen.

Meanwhile, on the top floor of the city's flashiest auction house, Vincent was deep in conversation with several heavyweight investors. Miles hovered nearby, orchestrating introductions with a practiced ease.

Just then, Vincent's private line buzzed in his pocket. He reached for his phone and caught sight of Claude's name on the display-a contact he'd saved years ago, mostly to get Claude off his back.

Vincent lifted a hand to quietly halt the discussion, then slipped away and answered the call.

Back at the restaurant, Claude's lips curled in a sly smile.Without missing a beat, he set his phone-screen down-on the table, somewhere near Hannah. The movement was relaxed,almost careless, as if he were just clearing space for dessert.

He leaned in, his voice gentle but probing, as if testing the water. "So, you've really let go of Vincent? There's no way back-is that it?"

Hannah didn't waver. Her reply was crisp, her tone cool and composed. "Letting go? I don't think that's the right word. You have to be holding something to let it go."

Her head tipped, a hint of wry amusement in her smile. "There was nothing between us. It's just business now. We're on separate paths."

After a brief pause, she met Claude's gaze head-on. "There'll never be another chance between him and me."

The finality in her words echoed through the line, heavy and absolute.

Across the city, standing before a wall of glass and the city lights,Vincent caught every syllable-each word slicing through the silence, impossible to ignore.