Chapter 370

"Oh? An opening?" Vincent leaned in slightly, drawn by the blaze of conviction and ambition in Hannah's tone. He preferred this side of Hannah-cornered, yet still flashing her defiance.

Hannah slid the NeuroCore Initiative across the table. "Read this."

Vincent lifted it and flipped through the pages. At first, his glance was detached, but then, it sharpened into intent. The promise of the NeuroCore Initiative was unmistakable.

"This invention belongs to Luminara Group, and the patent is still valid," Hannah declared firmly. "And that fool Harvey Langston discarded it like rubbish."

Vincent lowered the document and studied her, eyes alive with interest. "What do you want?"

Hannah held his stare without wavering, her words edged with the precision of high-stakes negotiation.′′Apartnership." Her tone remained steady. "Jones Group steps in as a principal investor. You subscribe to Luminara Group's new issuance-not a token five percent, but a sum that drags Harvey's command below fifty percent."

Vincent arched a brow. "Do you grasp the scale of capital required?"

"Jones Group isn't lacking in funds." A self-assured curve lifted her lips. "And this innovation-NeuroCore Initiative-will deliver far greater profits for your company."

Her cadence cut sharper, her outline exact. "If we pull this off,Harvey's bloc drops to roughly 48%. Once his absolute

Harvey's bloc drops to roughly 48%. Once his absolute dominance vanishes, the dissenting voices he's silenced inside Luminara Group will reemerge. The hesitant shareholders will recalculate. With my existing shares and influence combined,I'll have enough weight to launch a counterstrike at the coming shareholder session."

She held his gaze firmly, striking the conclusion. "Vincent,this is mutual gain. You anchor a position in the next frontier of human-computer interaction and secure meaningful equity in Luminara Group-at a fair price. You share in its future ascent.It's a deal you won't regret."

Vincent regarded her-this fierce, unrelenting woman before him. So unlike the serene and quiet Hannah he once knew. And yet, this version of her was dangerously magnetic. He respected her sharpness, her calculation-the refusal to collapse even when driven into a corner. Most of all, her plan was deeply enticing. The NeuroCore Initiative was something he fully intended to possess. Seizing major Luminara Group equity aligned seamlessly with Jones Group's long-term strategy.

As for Harvey and Granite Capital? To Vincent, they were barely an obstacle. Yes, the risks existed. But the potential return-was colossal. And there was another allure he savored.The thrill of watching Hannah claw her way back, reclaiming what had been stripped from her, aided by his hand, with the certainty that ultimately, she would remain within his hold...

Vincent rose deliberately, his expression dark and unreadable,threaded with a tactician's thrill. "I accept your proposal."

Having achieved her goal, Hannah lifted a brow, the faint glimmer of triumph touching her mouth.

A few days later, Hannah, together with Miles and Felix,forcefully convened a new, public shareholders' session. On the day of the meeting, the top-floor conference chamber of Luminara Group was packed with shareholders.

Harvey occupied the foremost seat with calm dominance.

Though the meeting had not yet begun, the room already buzzed with whispers.

"Hannah Scott summoned us here. But where is she?"

"Heard she's still caught in personal affairs. No one's reached her. What's the point of this meeting?"

"Exactly! She's only grasping at power-clinging after being toppled.Pathetic,really."

At the muttering, a smirk curved Harvey's lips. He cleared his throat, speaking with measured command. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining this urgent shareholders ' session. Sadly, Ms. Scott won't be attending today."

A wave of derisive laughter rippled through the room, chiefly from those bound to Harvey's faction.

"Ha! Told you. Who knows where she's skulking? What a farce."

"Mr. Langston, I suggest we cut the act and close this meeting."

Harvey lifted a hand for calm, though his satisfaction gleamed through. "Though Ms. Scott is absent, we remain obligated to follow the agenda per company policy..."

At that instant, the massive chamber doors swung wide with force. Vincent entered first.

Harvey's grin froze on his face. What in hell was Vincent doing here? He was meant to "keep an eye"on Hannah!

But Vincent did not stride into the room immediately. Instead,he paused and stepped slightly to the side. And in that brief, pointed interval-all attention swiveled to the threshold.Hannah stepped in with unwavering composure. She glanced at her watch and allowed a subtle smile. "Mr.Langston,patience. I'm only five minutes delayed."