Chapter 384

Vincent's brow gave the faintest twitch, betraying an emotion he rarely allowed anyone to see. It was the first time since their divorce that he had heard Hannah refer to him as her "husband." The sudden acknowledgement flickered through him like a spark-so brief that he almost questioned whether he'd imagined it.

Clarissa, her whole body quivering with fury at Hannah's biting words, jabbed a shaking finger in her direction. "Who the hell do you think you are? Sleeping your way through men to survive, and even after marriage, you still can't change your ways. Always whoring after somebody else's husband!"

From the floor, Gareth glared at Hannah and groaned through clenched teeth, his face twisted in pain, yet he still forced words out. "My wife is right. You're only jealous of us-jealous of our perfect marriage. You're nothing but used-up trash. If Mr. Jones knew the kind of woman you really are, he'd toss you out without a second thought."

"Enough!" Vincent's voice sliced through the chaos like a blade,deep and resonant with authority.

The room went still. Every pair of eyes tracked him as he advanced, each measured step carrying a quiet, deliberate weight that silenced the air around him.

Gareth's sobs cut off at once, dread tightening his chest. Why on earth had Vincent shown up?

In an instant, Vincent was at Hannah's side, drawing her firmly into his arms. "Are you alright? Did they lay a hand on you?"

With a practiced tremor in her voice, Hannah leaned into him. With a practiced tremor in her voice, Hannah leaned into him."I'm fine. But Gareth just gave me his business card and suggested I become his mistress."

Vincent's eyes iced over as they locked on Gareth.

Clarissa's fury exploded. She seized Gareth by the ear,jerking it hard. "Unbelievable! You actually think you can keep another woman behind my back?"

Panic-stricken, Gareth clawed for excuses. "No, darling! I swear,it's not like that. You're the only woman I want-please,believe me!"

Clarissa's grip finally loosened, though her glare remained lethal. "We'll deal with this at home," she snapped and then turned sharply back toward Vincent and Hannah.

Clarissa acknowledged that the moment demanded that she stand beside her husband, no matter her rage. Her envy over Hannah having such a strikingly handsome husband faded momentarily as she fixed all her energy on demanding justice.

Clarissa pointed at Hannah and scowled at Vincent.′′SO,,you're her husband, huh? Then tell me-how do you intend to address that your wife broke my husband's wrist?"

Vincent's expression darkened, his voice cold and clipped as he gave a curt order to the bodyguards. "Throw these damn fools out-they're such a nuisance!"

"Got it, Mr. Jones!" The bodyguards immediately moved in to carry out his command.

"What? Mr. Jones, please, have mercy! This is nothing but a misunderstanding!" Gareth cried in panic, his face contorted with pain as he clutched his injured wrist and struggled against the guards. Fear twisted in his gut-he knew this wasn't only about being tossed out. A savage beating might follow.

Clarissa, though shaken, clung to her defiance. "And why Clarissa, though shaken, clung to her defiance. "And why exactly should we leave? What right do you have to throw us out? Does this hospital belong to you? Your damn wife tried to seduce my husband, and when that failed, she had those men in black break his wrist. And now we can't even speak up?"

The uproar grew so loud that it drew the hospital director himself.

Seizing the chance, Gareth collapsed dramatically, clutching his stomach and rolling on the floor with pitiful howls. "Ah! It hurts so bad! Director, please help us! They're bullying us, trying to drag us out! That woman even had someone break my wrist!"

Clarissa hurried over, jabbing her finger toward Vincent and Hannah. "Director, thank goodness you arrived in time! l demand to file a complaint against them! That man and his wife are forcing us out. We're business partners with this hospital.You have to stand up for us!"

The director's face tightened, his demeanor instantly shifting from stern to reverent the moment his gaze landed on Vincent.He all but jogged forward and bent low in a deep bow, leaving the entire room frozen in disbelief. His voice carried the weight of both respect and unease. "Mr. Jones, what an unexpected honor. Please, allow me to escort you. I've already had the best refreshments prepared for your visit."

Vincent's voice cut through the room, low and relentless."That won't be necessary. Those two dared to offend my wife.Take care of it."

Vincent's gaze swept over Gareth and Clarissa with the same disdain one might reserve for garbage tossed on the street.

The director stiffened and instantly bowed his head, eager to show his allegiance. "Right away, Mr. Jones. I'll sever our partnership with them without delay."

"Hold on!" A piercing shriek tore from Clarissa's throat. Her Hold on!" A piercing shriek tore from Clarissa's throat. Her face went deathly pale as dread closed in around her. Their family business supplied medical equipment to this hospital,and today's visit with Gareth had been meant to seal the final deal.Instead,everything was unraveling before her eyes.

"Director!" Clarissa pleaded, her voice cracking under panic."You can't do this! The agreements are already finalized. My father has the contracts ready for signing. How can you just tear it all apart now?"

Gareth's panic deepened, his throat tightening as the weight of the collapsing deal sank in. This agreement had been his company's lifeline, and if it unraveled, ruin was inevitable."Director, it's all a misunderstanding! Mr. Jones, Mrs. Jones-we're so sorry! We didn't realize who we were dealing with.Please,forgive us!"

The director didn't so much as spare them a glance, his loyalty firmly nailed to Vincent's side. "Serve you right for offending Mrs. Jones. He's the top investor in our hospital."

All color drained from Clarissa's and Gareth's faces. Their earlier arrogance dissolved, leaving only raw terror as they collapsed to their knees. Clarissa pleaded frantically, "Mr. Jones,Mrs. Jones, we've learned our lesson! Please, spare us just this once!"

Gareth's words broke apart in a strangled sob. "Mrs. Jones,it was my fault. I spoke recklessly. Please, I beg you,show mercy!"

Hannah stepped forward, her lashes lowering as she regarded them with cool detachment. "You want my forgiveness? That isn't entirely impossible."