Chapter 290
Vicki's hand shook as she leveled her finger at Hannah, the accusation hanging in the air like a live wire.
Around them, a wave of outrage rippled through the staff.
A junior designer blurted, "Ms. Scott would never pull something like that!"
Before she could say more, the senior designer next to her quickly tugged her back, silencing her protest.
Faced with the vicious accusations, Hannah's face stayed remarkably composed, betraying not a flicker of irritation. Her gaze was steady, her tone cold and razor-sharp. "Vicki, your reasoning is every bit as absurd as your accusation. Alice is my partner-I've put too much on the line for her. She's my trump card."
She arched a brow, her confidence radiating in the hush that followed. "Tell me, Vicki, do you think I-Hannah Scott-need cheap theatrics for spotlight?"
A faint, sardonic smile tugged at her lips. "I'm the headliner here. There's no need to outshine anyone, least of all my own partner."
Her words cracked through the air, leaving Vicki's complexion ashen.
Without raising her voice, Hannah projected sheer authority."I'll say this once, and I expect every word to sink in. What happened to Alice-since it occurred at my event-falls on me.I'll see that the investigation, accountability, punishment, and compensation are handled, every last detail."
Her gaze glittered with a hard-edged resolve. "But for you to fling such disgusting, groundless accusations? To claim I would sabotage my own partner just to make myself look good?"
She swept her eyes over Vicki, whose agitation had left her eyes bloodshot and wild. "Frankly, your imagination is as pitiful as your judgment."
A chorus of stunned gasps echoed around the room. Meagan and the others looked on, awestruck by Hannah's unwavering composure.
Vicki, frozen in shock, could only stare, rendered speechless by Hannah's fierce presence. Her lips parted, but the biting accusations caught her tongue,leaving her speechless.
A flush of shame washed over Vicki, but her pride as an agent held firm. "Fine, Hannah-your tactics are merciless, and your performance is award-caliber. I'll watch and wait. Just make sure you've got the muscle to bury those whispers."
With that, she spun on her heel and strode out, heels tapping out her fury on the floor.
Even after Vicki walked away, the air backstage only thickened with the sting of the earlier clash.
Every gaze fell to Hannah.
Hannah released a long, shaky breath, voice steady but tired."That's enough. You're all dismissed."
Meagan hesitated, worry flickering in her eyes, but she didn't protest. She gave Hannah a subtle nod before ushering everyone out, the door clicking shut behind them.
Left alone,Hannah slumped into the nearest armchair, eyelids fluttering closed as exhaustion pressed down on her.
After a stretch of silence, she inhaled deeply, forcing herself upright. Steeling her nerves, she slipped out of her show attire
upright. Steeling her nerves, she slipped out of her show attire and pulled on a pink-lavender dress, her movements slow but determined.
Standing with her back to the door, Hannah lifted her arms,fingertips searching for the tiny zipper nestled at her lower back. Her muscles trembled with fatigue; no matter how she strained, the clasp stayed just out of reach.
A faint metallic click broke the silence-someone was quietly unlocking the door and slipping inside.
"Meagan?" Hannah called out, hoping her assistant had returned. "Could you help me with the zipper?" She angled her body,exposing her back in expectation.
Footsteps padded softly over the floor, drawing nearer. She heard the subtle rustle of clothing behind her.
Suddenly, warm breath brushed against the nape of her neck,tinged with a clean, familiar scent.
Hannah's entire body went rigid, nerves prickling with alarm.That was not Meagan. She recognized that scent instantly.
Instinct overriding hesitation, Hannah spun around, heart hammering in her chest.
Vincent's face, sharp and expressionless, was the first thing she saw.
At some point, he'd slipped behind her without making a sound,barely half a step away.
Instead of his usual jacket, he wore a tailored black velvet shirt -one button left undone at the collar, the sleeves pushed up to reveal a platinum watch gleaming on his wrist.
"Mr. Jones?" Hannah forced her tone to stay calm, masking the jolt of alarm that shot through her veins. She managed a cool,businesslike smile. "I don't recall seeing your name on the
businesslike smile. "I don't recall seeing your name on the guest list. Is there something I can help you with?"
Careful not to make a scene, she inched backward, discreetly increasing the distance between them.
Vincent's eyes lingered on her composed facade, reading through the mask of calm she'd put on.
He ignored her question entirely. Instead, he closed their distance and, with unhurried authority, placed his hand firmly on her shoulder. The gesture was almost gentle, but it brooked no refusal. Effortlessly, he turned her until she was facing away from him again-his presence suddenly filling the space behind her.
"Showing up uninvited-rather impolite of me, I'll admit," he murmured, voice low and steady, every syllable carefully controlled. But beneath that cool exterior, tension simmered just beneath the surface.
His fingertips skimnmed lightly over her lower back, finding the slender zipper and catching it with practiced ease.
The brush of his skin against hers sent an involuntary tremor up her spine.
He drew the zipper upward in one slow, deliberate motion,the soft whirring sound oddly intimate in the cramped, silent dressing room.
Vincent dipped closer, his breath warm as it danced over her ear. He murmured, "Now that I've signed Alice,it makes sense to witness her performance up close."
He leaned in slightly, voicesofter, his lips just shy of her earlobe. "I just never imagined tonight would take such an unexpected turn... or that I'd stumble across something even more intriguing."
A flicker of surprise crossed Hannah's face, her brow arching.
Before she could muster a reply, a sharp click echoed from outside-the distinct sound of the lock being twisted.