Chapter 424

Traffic crawled at a snail's pace, trapping Claude's car for nearly an hour before he finally reached the entrance of the Luminara Group.

Evening had settled in past eight o'clock, and Hannah was nowhere to be found inside.

Stepping out of the lobby,Claude unexpectedly spotted Erica. Her face mirrored Hannah's perfectly, yet he still knew instantly this wasn't her.

Claude's brows knitted together, irritation flashing in his eyes. "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stop Vincent?"

Frustration flickered across Erica's features. "You think I didn't want to stop him? If I could reach him,I wouldn't come here."

"Couldn't reach him?" Dread settled in Claude's chest as his gaze sharpened. "Vincent and Hannah must've already met!"

Though startled, Erica quickly analyzed the situation. "During the self-staged kidnapping incident, our performance was so convincing! Moreover, Sharon adores me. Surely, Vincent must believe I'm the real Hannah. And Hannah goes by Natalie now, doesn't she? Vincent probably thinks she's the impostor and that Natalie is her true name."

Dark smirk crossed Claude's features. "You've certainly done your homework." WNithin such a short time,Erica had discovered Hannah's alias at the Luminara Group.

Silent calculations continued behind Erica's eyes. Hannah's very existence still posed a threat. If only she could disappear entirely...

Ignoring Erica completely, Claude pulled out his phone and dialed Hannah's number.

The phone rang several times before connecting. Hello? Claude?" Weariness tinged Hannah's voice.

Concern immediately softened Claude's tone. "Anna? Rain's pouring down out here. I got worried and came to the Luminara Group to pick you up, but you've already left?"

"Yes, I did," Hannah answered calmly. "Caught a taxi home."

"That's good!" Relief washed through Claude, though unease still nagged at him. He probed tentatively,"Nothing happened on the way,right?"

"Nothing," Hannah replied quickly, deciding against mentioning meeting Vincent.

Claude pressed on. "Did Vincent come looking for you?"

Silence stretched across the line.

Suspicion immediately crept into Hannah's thoughts. How did Claude know Vincent had sought her out?Several seconds passed before she answered, "Yes, he did. Just like before, he spouted some confusing nonsense and left. Quite rude, actually." She revealed only fragments of the truth.

Claude listened, feeling somewhat reassured. It seemed Vincent still hadn't recognized the true Hannah.Perhaps he'd overestimated Vincent's understanding of Hannah. Even after five years of marriage, Vincent couldn't identify the real Hannah.

An almost imperceptible smile softened Claude's features, and his voice grew gentler. "Just ignore him. He's acting crazy. Get some rest early tonight. Winter's approaching, so bundle up and don't catch cold. Call me if you need anything at all."

"Okay, I will. Thanks, Claude." Hannah's reply came automatically, though her mind buzzed with unanswered questions.

Claude ended the call and released a slow breath. Turning toward Erica, who watched him with expectant eyes, he spoke quietly. ""As you wished. Vincent really seems to believe youI′r。Hannah."

He opted against revealing more.

Triumph blazed across Erica's features in a radiant smile. Dawn broke the following morning as Vincent drove toward Sterling Heights. Outside apartment 2201,he waited patiently,clutching a delicate insulated bag. Inside lay a freshly prepared crab omelet and warm milk -Hannah's former favorites.

Minutes crawled past.

Finally, the door opened. Hannah stepped out and immediately saw Vincent.

"Morning," Vincent greeted.

"You again?" Distance colored her tone.

Unfazed by her clear dislike for him, Vincent stepped closer and extended the insulated bag. "Brought you breakfast. Crab omelet-you used to love it."

Hannah glanced at the bag, her gaze devoid of emotion, her voice icy. "I already had my breakfast."

Walking past Vincent toward the elevator leading to the underground garage, she heard his footsteps trailing behind.

He offered, "I drove here.Let me give you a ride."

"I have my own car and can drive myself," Hannah stated firmly.

The elevator chimed open. Hannah walked out of the elevator and straight to the vehicle that had been serviced and delivered the previous night. Without hesitation, she slipped into the driver's seat.

Vincent pressed his palm against the window. "Please, let me do something for you."