Chapter 260

At Nova Tech, inside her office, Hannah kept her gaze fixed on the stack of proofs, her pen tapping lightly against the glossy paper. Before she could respond, her assistant, Meagan Harris, appeared at her side, practically shoving a tablet under her nose."Ms. Scott, you need to see this-Fontaine Galleria's all over the headlines!"

A bold notification from the finance app flashed across the screen: "Exclusive: Core Supplier Shakeup at Fontaine Galleria Sends Shares Plummeting Nearly 8% at Open."

Hannah gave the alert a glance and slid the tablet back toward Meagan, her tone even, unruffled."I see."

Meagan's voice broke in from across the table, laced with anxiety. "Our flagship's on the third floor of Fontaine Galleria, and the contract's already

finalized. The deposit's in. With the current negative reviews, is this going to blow back on us? Should we consider alternative locations?"

"There's no need." Hannah's response was brisk,leaving no room for debate. "We picked Fontaine Galleria because its steady flow of high-end customers is the result of decades spent building its reputation in the city's core commercial zone. A supplier switch is an internal shake-up, not something that changes our store's visibility or target market. As long as people keep coming, our exposure holds steady. Relocating and starting over would come with bigger expenses. Stick to the plan."

She barely finished before her phone buzzed sharply.Glancing at the caller ID, she answered without hesitation."Claude?"

Claude's voice came through the phone, smooth and inviting. "Dinner at seven tonight, Cloudtop Restaurant. Your parents are joiningus. Let's all sit down together-there's something I'd like to talk about."

Hannah glanced at the time and nodded,her answer soft but firm. "Okay, I'll be there."

When the clock struck seven, Hannah arrived at the Cloudtop Restaurant and slipped quietly inside. The soft glow of amber pendant lights illuminated her parents, who were already at their table, their expressions tinged with a hint of nervous anticipation.

Claude was seated beside her mother, his posture easy, his smile gentle as he murmured a few words to put her at ease. The moment he noticed Hannah, he rose from his seat, his eyes alight with affection."Anna."

Claude pulled out Hannah's chair himself, the gesture smooth and practiced-a quiet show of attentiveness.

He gave a discreet signal to the waiter, and soon,each artfully plated dish appeared on the table, their aromas mingling in the air.

With Claude steering the conversation into easy,cheerful territory, even Raymond and Margaret-who had arrived tense-slowly let their guard down.

Laughter started to thread through their dinner as they swapped stories from Raymond's wild younger days.

Suddenly, a muted vibration buzzed from the inside pocket of Claude's suit jacket-sharp and persistent.His easy smile didn't falter. He met everyone's eyes,polite as ever. "Excuse me, I need to take this."

He stood with effortless grace and made his way toward the balcony at the far end. The glass door whispered open and then closed behind him.

From where she sat, Hannah could only watch his silhouette, unable to make out any hint of his expression.

A few minutes later, Claude slipped back into his seat beside Hannah, that familiar gentle smile still in place. He took a long drink of water, as if washing away whatever tension lingered from his call.

"Everything alright? Was that about work?" Hannah's gaze flickered over him, picking up on the faint tremor beneath his calm surface.

Claude's eyes met hers, his smile unwavering, voice easy. "It's nothing-just a minor thing."

Hannah didn't push. She glanced away, letting the matter drop.

The mood at the table stayed light and untroubled.

Then, Claude set down his fork, quietly brushed his lips with a napkin, and shifted toward Raymond and Margaret. His expression grew earnest, a gentle resolve in his voice as he addressed them. "Mom,Dad, I brought everyone together tonight because there's something important I want to talk about."

He let the silence stretch just long enough to capture everyone's attention. "Your 50th wedding anniversary is just around the corner. I'd love to throw you a golden anniversary party."

Margaret's smile dropped as she waved her hands in

protest. "Absolutely not, Claude! That's way too much.Honestly, a quiet family dinner is all we need."

Raymond immediately backed her up, his voice resolute. "She's right, Claude. We really appreciate you wanting to do something, but there's no need for all that fuss."

Hannah chimed in, her tone steady and composed,"Claude, with their age, something big would just wear them out. We should keep it simple and warm-they'll enjoy that more."

In a heartbeat, the easy warmth in the room vanished, replaced by a strained hush.

Claude's smile faded slightly but did not vanish.Fixing his gaze on Margaret, he spoke with a warmth that was both reassuring and quietly insistent. "Mom,a party isn't too much. A golden anniversary only comes once in a lifetime. I just want you both to have no regrets."

He paused, his breath slightly heavier. "Trust me,I'll take care of everything."

Margaret and Raymond shared a look, uncertainty flickering between them.

Before Hannah could voice her hesitation, Claude gently clasped her hand, his tone coaxing. "Anna,let's just do it this way, all right?"

Hannah's lips pressed into a thin line. After a long moment, she gave a silent nod, resignation flickering in her eyes.

Meanwhile, from the far end of the corridor, the discreet door to a private suite slid open without a sound, and Vincent emerged, having just wrapped up a draining business engagement.

He drifted toward the edge of the observation deck,intending to clear his thoughts with a distant view-but his eyes caught on something below, and he stopped short.

Down on the terrace, Hannah's family and Claude sat clustered together, laughter blending with the warm

hum of conversation. Claude, with practiced ease,reached out and enveloped Hannah's hand in his own, his gesture intimate and unhurried. Hannah didn't recoil. She simply let him hold her.

A cold jolt ripped through Vincent. He spun away from the railing, his expression hardening, the very air growing brittle with his fury.

Derek instinctively edged backward, rattled by the sudden storm that seemed to roll off Vincent in waves.