Chapter 306

Photographs of Hannah filled every wall of the room. One showed her sharing a first kiss with Vincent back in their college days, while another captured her in a white wedding gown on her marriage day. There was even a photo of her stubborn glare as she signed the divorce papers at the courthouse.

Each picture marked a unique Chapter in Hannah's life.

Claude walked slowly, making his way to the middle of the room where a large metal worktable stood.Resting on top of it was nothing but a state-of-the-art photo printer.

Taking his time, he reached into his suit jacket, pulled out his phone, and sent two new pictures to the printer.

Moments later, the screen lit up with both images: one showing Hannah asleep at four in the morning,the other focusing on a fresh love bite.

A soft whirring sound filled the room as the printer went to work.

Two crisp photos slid out onto the tray.

He gathered them in his hands, and a wild, heated intensity shone in his eyes. Bringing the photo close,he bowed his head and pressed his lips, warm and slightly trembling, against the center of the love bite.

Then, he picked up a pair of magnetic pins, and with careful ceremony, attached both images to the very center of the front wall.

Those new photos were now pinned on the old wedding portrait, the one that had been violently marked with a thick red X.

Stepping back, he admired what he had done, a sense of satisfaction settling over him.

Afterward, he turned to a different device in the room and typed in a quick command, clearly familiar with the process. A large screen flickered to life, playing silent footage from the guest room taken the night before.

The video showed him cradling Hannah while she slept-a scene he replayed over and over.

No one could say how long Claude stayed there, enveloped by the shadows in that room.

When he finally stepped out, he walked down the hallway and came across a housekeeper with cleaning supplies in her hands. She was just about to start cleaning the bedroom where Hannah had stayed.

A sudden wave of fury burned in Claude's eyes, the darkness in his stare impossible to miss. He stormed forward, his voice shaking with rage he barely managed to hold back. "Stop! Who told you to come near this room? Get out right now!"

The housekeeper broke down in tears and ran away as fast as she could.

Claude spun around and faced the butler, delivering his next order in a tone as cold as ice. "No one is allowed near that bedroom from now on."

The butler bowed deeply, answering in a steady, respectful voice, "Understood."

..·

Hannah was just about to pull to the curb around Nova Tech when out of nowhere, three black sedans appeared, closing her in with a tight and intimidating formation. Her car was suddenly forced to a stop at the entrance to a secluded back alley.

The screech of the tires echoed through the air.

Shaken,she immediately locked the doors and looked all around, trying to spot any danger.

Almost instantly, eight tall men in black suits climbed out from the three cars, closing in on her car from every direction.

Without showing any panic, Hannah reached for her phone, ready to call the police.

Suddenly, the middle car's door swung open hard. The bodyguards stepped aside, making a narrow passage in their ranks. A figure emerged from the center, taking slow, deliberate steps forward.

Hannah's breath hitched. Could this be the moment? Was the person who had been pulling the strings finally making an appearance?

Her eyes lifted as she steeled herself to see who it would be-only to freeze in surprise. Vincent? What was he doing here, and why arrive with such a dramatic display?

Vincent's face was set in a stormy scowl. But when he glanced at the empty passenger seat and checked the back, finding no one else inside, the fierce tension in his eyes softened ever so slightly. He had been certain that Claude would drive Hannah back. That was why he brought so much security. But it turned out Claude wasn't here. Good. That made things simpler.

"Get out," Vincent commanded. The words were spoken in a low voice, yet the authority in his tone cut straight through the silence.

Hannah pushed the door open, stepped out; and stood tall. She faced him. "What is this supposed to be?"

Vincent ignored her question entirely. His eyes focused with unsettling accuracy on the side of her neck.

Before she could even register what was happening, he took a sharp step forward.

In an instant, his hand shot out, cold and unyielding, grabbing her chin and tilting her head up with rough force.

His other hand immediately brushed her hair aside and pressed firmly against her neck, searching in a way that felt harsh and intrusive.

Everything about his actions was quick-almost violent.

"Ah!" Hannah let out a small cry when his grip suddenly became tighter.

She tried to twist away, but he overpowered her without hesitation, forcing her head at an angle so he could examine her more closely.

He found what he was looking for. Just above her collarbone, a bold red mark stood out-undeniable and intimate. That sight triggered a memory. Vincent instantly remembered Claude's phone call. All the missing pieces suddenly fell together.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze, stretching out into a long silence. His fingers remained locked on her neck, growing colder, and his knuckles turned white from the pressure.

"Give me an explanation," he said coldly.