Chapter 347

Hannah's gaze lingered on the row of four models, each one echoing her own silhouette, before sliding back to Vincent. "How could I possibly know if something this intimate will fit or feel right just by staring at them?" she asked, her brow arching.

The bluntness of her question knocked Vincent off balance. For a moment, he just looked at her, struck by the sharp light in her eyes. This vibrant, defiant woman felt worlds apart from the dull, lifeless figure from earlier.

Before he could think better of it, his voice broke through, low and impulsive. "I'll take you out myself-shopping."

Hannah's expression stayed cold, betraying no trace of her immense joy. She drifted toward the racks of clothing and sifted through them with quick, decisive fingers. "I'll change into something more appropriate for going out," she said.

Without much thought, she grabbed an outfit casually, headed to a room, slipped into it, and reappeared in minutes.

Vincent had taken the reins himself, mapping out the entire outing in meticulous detail.

A sleek convoy of cars glided through the streets, moving with practiced precision until they pulled up outside the city's most exclusive luxury mall.

Hannah stepped out of the car, brimming with anticipation-only to feel her excitement crumble the moment her eyes took in the scene.

Flanking the mall entrance, rows of bodyguards stood like statues, identical in their black suits and mirrored earpieces, their presence radiating authority.

Inside, the vast shopping area, usually buzzing with chatter and footsteps, was eerily vacant-every trace of the public had been cleared away.

Vincent had clearly ordered the place to be emptied beforehand. The vast shopping mall now served solely her.

Hannah's chest tightened, the thrilI of her plan dissolving into disappointment. She had counted on the safety of a bustling crowd, and now that cover was gone. Still, she forced herself not to falter. Panic couldn't show-not even for a second.

She steadied her breathing, pushing the frustration deep down, and then lifted her chin with amock-stern look. "Isn't this going overboard?" she said, her voice laced with dry reproach."A∥this just for me to buy some underwear?"

Vincent's tone carried a steady authority."It's quiet this way. No one will intrude on your shopping."

For the rest of their time inside, Hannah slipped her arm through Vincent's and acted thoroughly interested,drifting with him from boutique to boutique in the lingerie section.

She occasionally lifted a piece from the rack, holding it up with unflinching poise as she turned to him for an opinion, her voice casual and teasing.

"What do you think-too pink?"

"And this one-does it look a little too daring?"

She carried herself like a woman genuinely intent on choosing the perfect lingerie, every movement deliberate, every glance at the racks convincingly absorbed.

Watching her so focusèd, Vincent's rigid guard gradually eased.

By the time they entered the fifth boutique, Hannah had already gathered several elaborate pieces-delicate lacework that needed careful threading up the back, and a shaping design fastened with an endless row of hooks.

She held them up with a faint smile and turned toward Vincent. "These look pretty good," she said casually."I'll try them on and see if they're actually comfortable."

Just as Hannah lifted the curtain to step into the fitting room, Vincent's private phone buzzed sharply. He

shifted a few paces away, answering with a clipped, "It's me. Speak."

In an instant, his tone carried the cold authority of the Jones Group's head, every syllable controlled and commanding.

Inside the fitting room, Hannah clutched the complicated lingerie pieces in her arms, though she made no move to try them on.

Through the thin partition, she caught Vincent's deep, clipped tone, and beyond that, the restless shuffle of bodyguards stationed in the hallway.

Her pulse quickened. Without allowing hesitation to creep in, she lifted the piece with the intricate lacing,stepped closer to the curtain, and tugged it open just a fraction. Leaning forward, her voice hushed yet deliberate, she called out, "Excuse me, miss?"

The sales associate immediately stepped closer and answered politely through the curtain, "Yes, ma'am?How can I assist you?"

Dropping her voice, Hannah let a trace of calculated frustration seep in.′′WVould you mind stepping in for a moment? There are too many straps on this piece, and I can't figure out the lacing. I've been fiddling with it,but I just can't get it right by myself."

To emphasize her point, she gave the delicate lingerie a little shake.

The sales associate nodded quickly. "Absolutely, ma'am. I'Il take care of it right away."

Easing the curtain aside, the sales associate slipped into the tiny booth and let the heavy fabric fall shut,sealing them in.

The cramped fitting room now held only Hannah and the sales associate.

As the sales associate lifted the lingerie, ready to demonstrate how the laces were meant to be threaded,Hannah suddenly caught her wrist-swiftly yet without force. With her other hand, she pressed a finger against her lips, a silent plea for quiet.

"Quiet, not a word!" Hannah's whisper carried a sharp edge of urgency, low enough for only the sales

associate to catch.

Hannah leaned closer, her tone softening into a hushed grumble. "That man outside is my husband.Whenever we go shopping, he's always buried in work and never spares me a moment. Today's no exception. So I'm thinking to slip away for just a bit-let's see how long it takes him to realize I've vanished.Maybe it'll teach him a small lesson."

Hannah forced her features into the sulky pout of a young wife fed up with her inattentive husband. "Maybe then he'll finally look up from his phone the next time we're out together. So, could you help me? It's honestly the simplest favor."

Her eyes glimmered with imploring innocence, and the sales associate wavered, clearly torn.