Chapter 280

"What?" Hannah blurted, startled.

"| didn't feel it clearly enough just now," Vincent replied, his gaze fixed on her lips, eyes dark with a desire that bordered on possessiveness. It was clear he wanted another kiss-something deeper to make up for the one that had ended too soon.

"Vincent, you-" Hannah started, her alarm and frustration showing in her wide eyes.

Before she could finish, he was already leaning in again-

"Mr. Jones, your grandmother's here," Derek called out from outside, his voice followed by a sharp knock at the door.

At this point, Vincent's lips were just a breath away from hers.

Acting on pure reflex, Hannah pushed hard against his chest, forcing him back with all her strength.

Bang! Someone knocked heavily on the office door from outside.

In that split second, Hannah glanced at Vincent and spotted it-a bold swipe of lipstick right at the edge of his lips. Oh no! There was no time to think as her body moved on its own.

As Vincent wavered from the shove, an annoyed crease forming between his brows, Hannah reached up abruptly and scrubbed the color from his lips with the back of her hand.

Her touch was quick and rough, enough to make Vincent flinch, brow furrowing.

A heartbeat later, the office door swung wide.

Sharon entered, supporting herself with à cane. She was dressed in animpeccable Chanel suit, her silver hair swept back into a flawless bun. She hadn't even stepped fully inside when her voice, edged with

worry, floated in from the doorway. "Vincent, I've been searching everywhere for you and-"

She stopped short, eyes sweeping the room and landing on an unexpected scene. "Hannah?" Her expression flipped instantly from concern to delighted surprise, whatever she'd planned to say lost in the moment.

Hannah quickly patted her hair into place and offered a warm smile. "Sharon, it's been a while."

She moved in for a hug.

Sharon clung to Hannah and then pulled back,searching Hannah's face as if committing every detail to memory, her gaze lingering especially on Hannah's eyes. There was a tremble of worry in her words. "Your eyes... Have they really healed? No more trouble at all?"

Sharon reached out, hand hovering in midair, hesitant to touch as though afraid of breaking something precious.

The gentle concern made Hannah's heart swell. She nodded softly, voice steady and comforting. "Yes,they're perfect now." Just to ease Sharon's nerves,she even flashed a playful wink.

"That's such a blessing, truly," Sharon whispered,eyes shining as a genuine smile spread across her lips. She kept nodding, emotion thick in her voice."You've been through so much, sweetheart. But now you're whole again-and that's all I care about."

Her hand rested lightly on Hannah's, the gesture overflowing with affection.

Then, remembering Vincent's presence, Sharon's sharp eyes flicked to him, instantly picking up on the strange current in the room and adjusting her expression accordingly. Her smile dimmed a touch,replaced by a spark of playful suspicion as her eyes flicked between the two of them. In a gentle, teasing voice, she asked, "What exactly were you two..."

"Nothing happened." Hannah was quick to shake her head, her denial sharp and absolute.

Vincent's gaze shifted back to Hannah, deep and mysterious.

Hannah's tone shifted instantly back to businesslike coolness. "Sharon, I just stopped by because l needed his signature on a document. That's it."

"I see." Sharon's warm smile returned, eyes twinkling as she nodded along.

But then her tone shifted, laced with the quiet authority of an elder, and directed squarely at Vincent-like a subtle reprimand. "Since Hannah came to you on business, you should treat her with the respect she deserves. Don't keep giving her a hard time."

Vincent didn't reply right away, his body tense. After a long pause, he finally answered, his voice low and a little reluctant, "Alright."

Only then did Sharon seem to remember why she'd come. The smile faded, concern taking its place."Vincent, I actually came because of Erica. She's disappeared. It's been days since she got back to the

family estate, and she hasn't replied to any of my calls or messages. She doesn't really have close friends, either... I can't shake this terrible feeling. Do you think something's happened to her?"