Chapter 342

The solemn announcement of the wedding officiant suddenly echoed from beyond the door. "Honored attendees! Please extend your heartfelt applause to greet today's radiant bride, Ms. Hannah Scott, as she arrives for her sacred union! The wedding ceremony commences this very moment!"

In the moment Vincent was distracted, Hannah tore herself free from his grasp. She swiftly adjusted the shoulder veil and headpiece that his grasp had disturbed. Without offering another glance at Vincent, she pivoted and strode directly toward the door.

The door began to part with a slow creak.

Hannah slightly turned her head, her tone steady as thoughshe were uttering a final farewell. "Vincent,just bless me.Perhaps we may remain friends, I appreciate everything you've done during this period."

She wouldn't deny that Vincent had arranged the specialist for her mother's medical review, and he had tirelessly assisted her since the accident involving her parents. She also felt indebted for all his efforts concerning the Doreline Chemical Factory case. Their journeys would most likely never intersect again after today;each would begin separate lives.

Taking a deep breath, Hannah stepped forward.

An icy shiver of dread pierced through Vincent, chilling him to the core. He observed as the door swung open fully, and Hannah, lifting her gown, advanced toward another man. No! This was utterly intolerable.She could not marry Claude! Even if it meant she would despise him forever, he had to do this.

The solemn notes of the wedding processional filled the air. All the guests stood in respectful attention.

Hannah inhaled deeply and, gripping the heavy folds of her gown, stepped once, then again, toward Claude.

Just as she reached the midpoint of the aisle, with only a handful of steps remaining between herself and Claude, Vincent's silhouette abruptly appeared from behind her. A collective, stunned gasp surged across

the assembly.

With a single determined stride, Vincent crossed the space and positioned himself firmly before Hannah.

Before Hannah could comprehend the situation, let alone respond, Vincent's hand darted forward and clamped around her wrist with relentless, unyielding strength. The pressure was so fierce that it seared her skin like fire.

"Vincent Jones! What is the meaning of this?" Claude's enraged shout thundered through the chapel.

But Vincent didnot spare Claude even a glance from his peripheral vision. His eyes were fixed unwaveringly on Hannah's features as he declared with clarity,"I'm taking you away."

"Vincent, release me!" Hannah finally snapped back into awareness and began thrashing desperately."If you don't want me to hate your gut for the rest of my life, let go of me right now!" Her voice was cutting and quivered with emotion.

"I won't let you go." Vincent's reply was low, devoid of any emotion. The sinews in his arm bulged with force,easily subduing her frantic resistance.

Claude's eyes widened in fury. He lunged toward Vincent with a savage roar, "Scoundrel! Release her!"

Yet,as Cclaude was on the verge of reaching them, several shadowed figures in black suddenly stepped forth from hidden corners throughout the church.

Assembling into an unbreakable barrier, they swiftly intercepted and encircled Claude. Two of them jerked Claude's arms behind his back, restraining him with brutal efficiency.

Vincent's men likewise blocked the security staff and guests who attempted to intervene.

Claude's eyes blazed with venomous hatred; it was unmistakably evident that this had been orchestrated.

The church immediately plunged into uproar.

Hannah stared in shock as Claude was subdued so easily and as the black-garbed men materialized without warning. "Vincent, have you lost all sense?"

Vincent replied flatly, "Taking you is not lunacy." This was the deliberate outcome of his prolonged deliberation. He disregarded the uproar and the screams surrounding them.

"Vincent! You monster! Free my daughter! You will pay for this!" Margaret cried with every fragment of strength, the overwhelming strain making her weakened body tremble violently.

"Let...Anna...go..."Margaret's voice faltered thinner and thinner before her frame collapsed uncontrollably.

"Mom!" Hannah screamed in terror as her mother reeled, her gaze rolling back before she toppled straight to the floor.

Hannah's chest convulsed with panic. A raw, desperate shriek tore from her throat, fractured with fear."Vincent, my mom! Something has happened to my mom! Let go of me! I must get to my mom! I have to check on my mom!"

Hannah writhed frantically against Vincent, sobbing, shrieking, and striking his arm with wild force. Tears of sheer panic streamed down her face-her mother was her only remaining immediate family.

Yet,Vincent's expression remained utterly unmoved.

As others shouted and rushed toward Margaret, Vincent bent low. His other arm slid beneath Hannah's knees and, disregarding her cries and protests, he heaved the bridal-clad Hannah forcibly onto his shoulder.

Hannah battered his back with furious fists, even driving her teeth deep into the flesh of his shoulder and neck.

A stabbing pain raced through Vincent, but he only narrowed his brow faintly, never halting his pace.

Amid the chaos overwhelming the wedding hall, Vincent strode out, Hannah in tow. He intended to lock her away where no one could ever reach her. And then, he would meticulously unfold his plan.