Chapter 292

Vincent's face turned stormy, the tension thickening until the air itself felt icy. "I booked out the entire restaurant. I'll be waiting for you," he replied, his voice so calm that it sounded dangerous.

Hannah squared her shoulders, holding his gaze. "What's with the sudden dinner invitation?"

He studied her in silence, a complicated shadow crossing his eyes. "There's unfinished business between us. Things we need to settle."

She shot him a skeptical look. "Why not just say it now?"

"Not here. Not like this." Vincent's brows knit together, a flicker of conflict breaking through his rigid composure. He needed a moment to sort out his thoughts-before facing her again.

A faint, chilly smile played on Hannah's lips. "Is that so? Well,maybe l'll go-if I feel like it."

She stretched out each word, her disinterest unmistakable.Her meaning couldn't have been clearer: whether she'd show up or not depended entirely on her mood.

A flash of anger sparked in Vincent's eyes; for a split second,he looked ready to explode. But after a pause, he inhaled slowly, clamping his eyes shut to steady himself.

When he finally looked at her again, some of the fire had ebbed away. For once, there was a hint of restraint-an unfamiliar trace of compromise. "Fine," he muttered, voice rough and edged with defeat, as if forcing himself to accept a

rough and edged with defeat, as if forcing himself to accept a concession he'd never intended to make.

Before she could even blink, Vincent snatched her phone straight off the makeup counter with a smooth, unhurried motion.

Hannah jolted forward, voice rising with a sharp edge."What do you think you're doing?"

She lunged to grab her phone back, but Vincent dodged her extended hand effortlessly. He tapped in a passcode with cool confidence-his own birthday.

But the screen stayed dark.

His fingers paused. A flicker of surprise crossed his face. His gaze shifted to her, searching her face for an explanation,frustration simmering just beneath the surface.

Hannah's shoulders eased as she caught his reaction. Crossing her arms, she leaned against the counter, an icy, triumphant smile playing at her lips. "Changed the password a long time ago, Mr. Jones." Her tone dripped with mockery. "Did you really think nothing would ever change?"

Vincent held her in his gaze, silent and inscrutable. For an instant, something uncertain flickered in his eyes-a quick flash of vulnerability-before he smoothed it away.

He didn't try the passcode again. He simply held the phone in his palm for a lingering moment, then reached out and offered it back without a word.

She didn't take it right away, eyeing him warily.

His tone was level again. "Unblock my number."

He gave no reason and just issued the demand with his usual,effortless authority. He didn't even bother with a "please."

Hannah's expression tightened, and she took her phone back.

"Give me one good reason."

He didn't flinch. "If you're coming to dinner, I need a way to contact you." Not being able to reach her left an acrid aftertaste on his tongue.

She didn't back down. "And if I refuse?" Her grip on the phone tightened, knuckles blanching as she instinctively recoiled,every muscle taut with defiance.

A shadow flickered across Vincent's eyes. Rather than retreat,he advanced with deliberate force. "Then I'll make sure you hear from me-my way."

Her expression stiffened. His way? That could mean popping up at her office without warning. Or maybe he'd have his assistant bombard her at all hours. Worse, he might twist the screws on her friends, using his influence to squeeze her from every angle Or he'd just invade her personal space-just like this, whenever he felt like it. Vincent had never been the type to let anything stand in his way-not when he wanted something badly enough.

She snapped, her tone sharp and trembling, "Vincent, this is coercion!"

His expression remained stone-cold, utterly remorseless as he gazed down at her. "You're not wrong. I am coercing you," he said evenly. "And you already know I'm not above getting my hands dirty if that's what it takes." He paused, letting the threat settle between them like static. "Think it over. My patience isn't limitless."

Vincent leaned in, just enough for his presence to become overwhelming, his dark, fathomless stare holding her captive.

A fraught silence stretched between them, heavy enough to smother the air.

At last, her fingers gave a barely perceptible twitch. Wordlessly,

At last, her fingers gave a barely perceptible twitch. Wordlessly,with an unmistakable stiffness, she tapped quickly across the screen of her phone.

In one brisk, unbroken gesture, she unlocked the device,navigated to the blocked contacts, and removed his number-purposefully tilting the screen so he could see.

Only after the task was finished did she look up, her gaze steady and unflinching. "Satisfied, Mr. Jones?"

His eyes dropped to the screen, and the rigid set of his shoulders finally loosened. "Three days. Seven o'clock.Cloudtop Restaurant. Don't keep me waiting." He spoke in an even,commanding tone.

Not sparing her another look, he pivoted smoothly, fingers closing around the door handle.

The door eased open on silent hinges, revealing Claude in the doorway.

Claude wore that signature, easygoing smile-only halfway in place, his hand suspended mid-knock. His lips parted. "Hannah ..." The greeting faltered, sticking halfway out as his eyes landed on the pair inside.

His gaze sharpened to a razor's edge, and all trace of warmth bled from his face, leaving behind a look as cold and dangerous as a drawn blade.