Chapter 281

Concern flickered across Sharon's features. "Has Erica come to the company to see you lately?"

Vincent pivoted, his movements deliberate and unhurried.Instead of looking at Sharon, he swept a glacial glance toward Derek.

Derek, standing in the corner, understood the cue and stepped forward slightly, bowing slightly as he reported in a clear and steady voice, "Mr. Jones, Ms. Jones-Ms. Stanton hasn't appeared at the company these last few days."

The efficient reply shut down any further inquiry Sharon might have pressed.

Vincent turned his attention to the city skyline out of the window, his expression unreadable. "I'll have someone track her down."

He pulled out his phone from his pocket and, after a brief pause, dialed. His words were clipped and cold. "Find Erica Stanton's whereabouts. Immediately."

Sharon exhaled, shoulders loosening, though the lines of worry didn't leave her face. She found herself pleading again for Erica's sake. "Vincent, I realize you're still angry about what happened in the study, but Erica... She grew up alone, with no one to rely on, and she's been drifting ever since. She acts impulsively sometimes, but it all comes from that loneliness-she never means any real harm. Please don't hold it against her.When you track her down, just try not to be so harsh."

Vincent's grip on his phone turned white-knuckled, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a faint, wintry smile.He simply

corners of his mouth lifted in a faint, wintry smile. He simply replied, his tone clipped and distant, "Fine."

Sharon's heart sank at his chilly response. After a beat, she recalled something else, her voice suddenly sharper, tinged with gentle accusation. "And you-no matter how buried you are in work, you still have to come home. Back when you and Hannah were still married, I told you again and again: visit the family estate at least once a week. If I hadn't been so anxious about Erica today-and decided to corner you here at the office-would you have even remembered me?"

Vincent finally turned away from the window, his gaze settling on Sharon. His eyes lost a bit of their chill, but his voice stayed steady. "It's not like that."

Sharon glanced at him, let out a weary sigh, and for a moment,couldn't find the words to continue.

The silence lingered, a thin thread of tension in the air, until Hannah-who had quietly observed the exchange-chose her moment. She stepped forward briskly, pulled a contract from her briefcase, and set it on the table with practiced efficiency.

"I've brought the authorization documents, Mr. Jones. Would you mind signing now?" Hannah's smile was poised and professional, her tone ringing with crisp assurance.

Vincent's attention drifted from Sharon to the document, then up to Hannah's composed expression. His lips pressed into a faint line, but instead of reaching for the papers, he spoke coolly. "Just leave it on the table."

His posture clearly indicated a desire to delay.

Hannah didn't waver. Her pleasant smile remained,though her voice turned unmistakably firm. "Mr. Jones, I'm on a tight schedule." She leaned in, her fingers drumming softly against the contract, adding just enough pressure to hint at urgency.

Vincent leaned forward, folding his hands atop the table, his

Vincent leaned forward, folding his hands atop the table, his gaze trailing over the contract. "A contract of this magnitude -one that impacts the entire Jones Group-deserves a line-by -line review, wouldn't you agree, Ms. Scott?"

He lingered on "Ms. Scott," making each syllable ring out with deliberate weight, an unspoken provocation hanging in the air.

The edge in his tone wiped the composure from Hannah's face for a split second, leaving her momentarily adrift, scrambling for a stronger retort.

Before she could rally, Sharon, who had been silently watching with concern etching deeper into her brow, finally stepped forward.

"For heaven's sake, Vincent!" Sharon stepped forward, her patience worn thin. She fixed him with a pointed stare. "It's just a contract. Must you make everything such an ordeal? You're the CEO-are you telling me you can't trust Hannah's judgment? She's always been meticulous,you know that better than anyone. You used to..."

Sharon halted mid-sentence, visibly recalling that Hannah was no longer Vincent's wife, but she pressed on, her irritation barely concealed. "I don't care about all that. You need to sign it right now! Hannah is..."

She shot a quick look at Hannah, doubling down. "She's as good as family to us!"

Something about Sharon's insistence seemed to soften Vincent's mood; his fingertips drummed once on the table.

A tense silence stretched between them before Vincent finally reached for the pen.

Just then, the imposing mahogany door creaked open. Claude entered with deliberate ease, his eyes flickering with warning as he strode toward Hannah. He addressed Sharon in a cold,measured tone, "Ma'am, I think you're mistaken. Anna and

measured tone, "Ma'am, I think you're mistaken. Anna and Vincent have been divorced for quite some time. She absolutely is not family to you anymore."