Chapter 312

Less than an hour after Hannah was taken into custody, Vincent showed up at the police station. He had a quick discussion with Gavin to understand exactly what was happening. Hannah, however, refused to see him.

Soon after, Claude made his appearance. But he was ushered out of the room where Hannah was detained merely seconds after he barged in.

Vincent felt slightly better. It seemed Hannah had no interest in meeting with Claude either.

For a while, the two men simply stared at each other in silence, neither one willing to budge.

Claude eventually broke the stillness. "Mr. Jones, how impressive-news certainly finds its way to you fast,doesn't it?" A pointed sharpness edged into his words. "All this worry for another man's girlfriend...Funny how your concern always ends up in the wrong place."

Vincent shot Claude a cold, piercing look, and the tension in the air thickened in an instant."Concern?" he replied quietly, his voice carrying a heavy, commanding weight. "I wouldn't call myself a concerned man."

One step forward was allit took for Vincent to make his presence overpowering. "I'm simply looking out for my own woman."

Claude's smirk faded. The polite mask slipped, exposing open hostility in his stare. "Your woman? In case you forgot, she hasn't been yours for a long time."

A steeliness crept into Vincent's voice. "That doesn't matter. She will soon become mine again."

A scoff slipped from Claude, as if Vincent had said something completely absurd. His smile twisted into something mocking. "Delusional. Want to bet on it?"

Vincent's eyebrow barely moved, his look dripping with contempt. "Not interested."

Turning away,Vincent made to leave, but Claude quickly moved to block his exit. Vincent gazed at Claude, his tone almost relaxed but heavy with warning. "Fontaine Galleria hasn't been doing well lately. And yet here you are, wanting to bet with me? Maybe I haven't turned up the heat enough."

For a split second, cold anger flashed in Claude's eyes. The truth was out-Jones Group was indeed squeezing Fontaine Galleria.

Rather than give in, Claude's smile widened, laced with something darker. "I'm impressed by your tactics,Mr. Jones. But it's just a bet-what's holding you back?"

Vincent said nothing, not taking his eyes off Claude.

Leaning in just enough to be provocative, Claude set his terms. "Let's bet on this-whoever gets Hannah out safe and sound first wins. The loser steps out of her life for good. No second chances. Think you can handle that?"

The air went still.

A faint shift flickered in Vincent's eyes. He looked away.′′Waste of time." With that, he turned his back and walked off without saying another word.

Claude stood there, his satisfaction growing as Vincent left. A slow, triumphant smile crept across his face.He raised his voice just enough for Vincent to hear. "You didn't say no, Mr. Jones. I'll count that as your yes.The bet starts now."

Several hours later, Hannah got to meet with Miles.

A shadow of embarrassment clouded MMiles's face. "I'm sorry. I should have kept Daphne in check. Now you've gotten pulled into all this."

Hannah brushed the apology aside, focusing on what mattered. She fixed him with a serious look.′′MWhitaker, has your sister seen anyone unusual recently?"

Miles searched his memory before finally shaking his head. "I really don't know. Daphne's barely talked to any of us lately. She shuts herself away most of the time." Hannah fell silent, thoughtful. That lead was going nowhere.

Meanwhile, Daphne had just finished her questioning and was passing by the designated holding room that Hannah was in.

Daphne paused at the door, eyes darting between her brother and Hannah. "Isn't this quite something? My brother, bending over backwards for an outsider while ignoring his sister. Sometimes I wonder if you'd prefer Hannah as your little sister."

Her words dripped with bitterness and sarcasm. Miles frowned. "You're being ridiculous. Do you even realize what you've done? You still think you're in the right?"

Daphne tossed back her head with a wild, sharp laugh. "Ridiculous? I reported a criminal. I stood up for what's right! You want to talk about guilt? Ask her! She's the one who drugged Alice just to make headlines.She belongs behind bars with the world hating her!"

All the while, Hannah watched in silence, her eyes never leaving Daphne.

When Daphne's tirade finally ended, Hannah leaned in ever so slightly, her voice cold and clear. "Daphne,your stupidity astonishes me."

Daphne stiffened, her glare sharp. "What did you just say? You're the stupid one here!"

Hannah's lips curled, not with humor, but with a chill that cut to the bone. "You had everything,money,status, a future most people only dream about. And now you're here, taking the blame for a crime you've never committed, letting yourself be the perfect scapegoat. So tell me, if that's not stupid, what is?"