Chapter 415

A heavy silence filled the air. Everyone was waiting for Vincent to make his choice between "Hannah"and Sharon.

Claude lingered at the side, watching with cool detachment.

"I won't choose!" Vincent's voice was iron. "I'm taking them both!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Vincent hurled the suitcase at the nearest kidnapper and lunged forward with sudden ferocity.

"Take him down!" the leader of the kidnappers barked, startled by Vincent's outburst. Remembering Erica's warning-no casualties-he fired low.

The bullet grazed Vincent's shoulder before sparking against the sheet metal wall.Claude didn't go for the kidnappers. He went straight to Erica, cutting at the ropes with practiced speed."Not bad," he muttered under his breath. "Quite the show you staged."

"Cost me a fortune," Erica whispered back with quiet pride.

Freed, Erica scrambled to Sharon's side, her face twisting in feigned panic. She clutched Sharon's hand. "Sharon! Please wake up-don't scare me!"

Still crying, she pulled out her phone, her voice breaking with measured urgency. "Hello?I am at an abandoned garage in the western suburbs!Someone's unconscious-send an ambulance now!"

Meanwhile, Vincent fought like a man possessed.Three against one, yet his blows landed sharp and merciless, driving the kidnappers back step by step.

"Retreat!" the leader barked, realizing the tide had turned.

A few quick feints, and the kidnappers melted into the shadows, vanishing into the night.

Vincent didn't chase. He spun to Sharon, kneeling at her side. Relief washed through him when he confirmed she was only unconscious.

Only then did he lift his head, his gaze falling on "Hannah" beside him. "Are you... all right?" His voice was hoarse.

Tears glistened in Erica's lashes as she forced a trembling smile. "I'm fine..." She shifted her gaze to Sharon and said urgently, "But we need to rush Sharon to the hospital fast."

Just then, Claude walked over, his gaze heavy on Vincent.Measured gratitude flickered there-but also a cold warning. "Vincent, thank you for today. But l still hope you won't keep clinging to Anna. She's finally found peace. Please let he go."

This was a deliberate ploy by Claude-the more he appeared to care about the "Hannah," the more convincing Erica's disguise would seem. Without waiting for a response, Claude bent and helped Erica lift Sharon. Together, they moved toward the sound of sirens outside.

But as they walked, Erica couldn't help glancing back.

Vincent stood frozen, his eyes locked on her.

An ache tugged at Erica's chest, pulling her toward him. She started to turn-but Claude's hand clamped down, stopping her. His voice was low, meant only for her. "Don't look back."

Erica's brow furrowed. "Why not? This is my chance to get closer to him."

Claude let out a short, icy laugh. "You still don't understand Hannah. At a time like this, she would never abandon Sharon-unconscious and in an unknown state-just because she was shaken or saw Vincent get hurt. All her attention and worry would be on Sharon. If you want Vincent to believe you're Hannah, then act like Hannah. Right now, that means walking away without looking back." His words jolted her. He was right. She wasn't Erica anymore-she was Hannah. She still had a long game to play with Vincent. She had gone through all this effort, every move calculated, just to make Vincent believe she was Hannah.

Her mind made up, Erica went with Claude, not turning back.

Vincent stood rooted to the spot, his face streaked with blood and marked by the fight. his expression dark with doubt. He had always believed Hannah would never return to Dorbarrow. And yet here she was-so vivid, almost unreal. And on top of that,he had just encountered an imposter pretending to be her...

Later, on the drive to the hospital, suspicion still gnawed at Vincent. He finally pulled out his phone and dialed Derek. "Check Hannah's flight records.Find out if she really came back."