Chapter 249
"Letting go? Letting go? I don't think that's the right word. You have to be holding something to let it go There was nothing between us. It's just business now. We're on separate paths.There'll never be another chance between him and me."
Hannah's words rang out crisp and clear, each word striking Vincent like a sudden clap of thunder that refused to fade from his thoughts.
He squeezed his phone so tightly that his knuckles blanched,his face drained of all color.
A split second later, the glass in his other hand snapped with a piercing crack. Slivers of glass pressed into his skin, but he hardly noticed the pain. So, to Hannah, whatever they'd had was a ghost. Nothing left to hold, no reason to hope.
Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Claude's grin grew. "They say Vincent could freeze you out of a room. Must have been a hell living with someone so icy, right?"
Hannah raised her glass, a small, knowing smile on her lips."Cold? He's an unmatched businessman-but never a good husband. At least, not the sort I ever needed."
Claude slid another dish across the table, his voice warm. "Try a little more of this."
They lingered over the meal, sharing a peaceful quiet that needed no words.
As dinner drew to a close, Claude volunteered to take care of the bill and suggested Hannah wait for him in the lobby. She agreed with a polite nod and made her way out ahead of him.
But the truth was-Claude had already settled the bill ages ago.The only unresolved matter left on his mind was with Vincent.He could practically see the look on Vincent's face-pain etched deep, his pride in ruins.
That image alone sent a slow, wicked satisfaction swirling through Claude.
Claude reached for the phone lying face-down on the table.The call hadn't been disconnected.
Bringing it to his ear, Claude spoke, his voice soft and deliberate, every word sharpened to wound. "Did you catch that, Mr. Jones? Hannah said it herself..." His voice oozed with deliberate emphasis, every word honed to a razor's edge."There will never be another chance between you two."
Before Vincent could even utter a word, Claude ended the call.He slid his phone away, composed himself, and strode out the door with a quiet confidence.
Outside,he found Hannah waiting. She thanked him softly for the meal and gently hinted she was ready to head home.
Claude gave her a simple nod and, with a practiced gesture,led her toward the far end of the building-straight to the private elevator reserved for the hotel's upper floors.
Hannah didn't fully grasp what was happening until they reached the elevator. Claude had gently, but decisively,steered her there. She'd simply fallen in step beside him.
The elevator doors glided open with barely a sound.
She hesitated, brows knitting. "Claude? This isn't the way to the parking garage."
He reached out, his grip courteous yet unyielding. "There's something I want to show you."
She wasn't given a moment to protest. Suddenly, it struck
mn She wasn't given a moment to protest. Suddenly, it struck her: Claude hadn't just remained persistent despite the passage of the years-he'd grown bolder, more assertive, less inclined to take no for an answer.
The elevator climbed at a brisk pace. Moments later, Claude was ushering her into a suite, where a stylist slipped her into a buttery-yellow velvet dress that hugged her perfectly, the fabric hugging softly along her collarbones and shoulders.
Hannah stared at her reflection, confused. "What's going on?Where are we headed?"
Claude's lips curled into a secretive smile. "Patience. You'll find out soon enough."
A few minutes later, they stepped onto the top floor. Only then did the realization hit Hannah that Claude had brought her straight to the auction.
Stepping into the preview hall, Hannah's eyes widened at the spectacle, and Claude caught the flicker of surprise. Leaning in,he murmured, "So? What do you think? Intriguing, isn't it?"
She managed a quiet nod. "It's definitely one of a kind."
A hint of satisfaction played in Claude's voice. "I knew you'd like it."
But Hannah was already drawn to the sparkling jewelry displays,her curiosity leading her away.
As soon as the preview wrapped up, guests began making their way into the grand auction hall.
The auctioneer was moments from declaring a winning bid on a stunning pair of violet gemstone pendants when-
"Three-point-five million." The words rang out, low and unmistakable, from the very back of the room.
Everyone's attention shifted instantly. There sat Miles, one arm draped carelessly over his chair, a sly, knowing smile just barely touching his lips.
Next to him was Vincent, sharp in his signature black suit, his face a mask of calm detachment.
From their vantage point, every lot and every reaction in the hall was under their quiet scrutiny.
Hannah's breath caught the moment she spotted Miles and Vincent. Surprise flickered in her eyes, though deep down she'd expected they would come.
From the second Hannah entered, Vincent hadn't looked anywhere but at her. And she was standing side by side with Claude, perhaps a bit too near for comfort. He lifted a glass to his lips, every movement stiff and deliberate, his gaze never leaving her.
That was when Hannah noticed Vincent's right hand-bandaged,white gauze stark against the black sleeve. Her brows knit together in concern. What happened to his hand?