Chapter 428

À cold sweat drenched Hannah's back in an instant. She fought to keep her composure, her hands clamping the steering wheel tightly.

At that moment, her phone buzzed frantically, a familiar number flashing across the screen. Without hesitation, she answered the call.

Vincent's voice flooded the car, steady and warm."|didn't change my number. Didn't think you'd pick up.How about dinner tonight? We can talk about-"

He was still pitching that project, assuming it could spark her interest.

But Hannah cut him off, "Vincent! My brakes aren't working! Is there a quieter road nearby?"

The line fell deathly silent.

Suddenly, a piercing screech of tires against the asphalt driveway erupted behind her. A sleek black Bentley Mulsanne roared past, surging ahead with breathtaking speed.

Vincent's voice crackled through the speaker, calm but commanding. "Follow me. Keep your distance, steer carefully, and stay calm!"

Hannah's pulse pounded in her chest. She understood his plan. Gritting her teeth, she locked her eyes on the Bentley's glowing taillights, fighting to maintain control and stay close.

Vincent's mind raced as he swerved onto a straighter side road. This was their chance.

Hannah mirrored his turn, guiding her car onto the nearly deserted road.

"Open space ahead!" Vincent's voice remained steady, unshaken. "I'm going to stop your car. Brace yourself!"

"Got it!" Hannah's grip tightened on the wheel. Vincent's Bentley began to slow deliberately, easing slightly into her lane.

His gaze was razor-sharp, calculating speed and angle. Just as her car neared his rear, he yanked the wheel and slammed the brakes.

Bang! A thunderous crash echoed through the air.

Using the Bentley's weight and robust brakes, Vincent forced Hannah's runaway car to a grinding halt.

Tendrils of white smoke curled from the hood, the ground scorched where tires had skidded.

Hannah lurched forward from the impact, only to be snapped back by her seatbelt. Her chest ached, and a ringing filled her ears.

Her car door flew open. Vincent was at her side in an instant, nearly diving to reach her."Are you okay? Any injuries?"

He reached out, carefully unbuckling her seatbelt and helping her out of the wrecked car.

Vincent inspected her, seeing no external injuries. "Move a little. Anywhere hurt badly?"

With his support, Hannah straightened up slowly. She took a few tentative steps and shook her head."I'm fine... Nothing serious."

Gathering her strength, she approached her mangled car, crouched down, and inspected the brake system.

She quickly found the problem; the brake fluid line had been deliberately severed, leaking every drop. This was no malfunction-it was sabotage, a calculated attempt on her life.

A shiver crawled down her spine. She reached for her phone to document the evidence, only to find its battery dead. "Can I use your phone?" she asked Vincent, her voice urgent. "Someone tampered with my brakes. I need to take pictures!"

Vincent's eyes turned cold as steel. He handed her his phone without a word.°

Hannah snapped pictures from every angle. Finished, she exhaled shakily and returned the phone. "Thank you. Can you call someone to pick us up? Derek, or anyone?"Both cars were wrecked, and the remote location ruled out hailing a cab.

Vincent noddedd, intending to make a call, but his attempts were met with failure-no signal.

He tried again in vain, frustration mounting, and then looked at Hannah, whose face had grown even paler.His chest tightened, and he made a decisive call. "No signal out here. You don't look well. We need to find a place to rest."

Hannah shook her head, her voice stubborn despite her frailty. "I'm fine. Just dizzy. I can manage."

Vincent, seeing her weakened state, slipped off his warm cashmere coat and gently draped it over her shoulders.

Hannah tried to protest. "I'm not cold."

"Now's not the time to play tough," Vincent insisted.

Hannah relented, pulling the coat tighter around her.

Seeing her accept it, Vincent's expression softened, though his urgency remained. "Stay here and don't move. I'm going to check those houses ahead to see if we can stay or at least make a call."

He pointed to a cluster of farmhouse courtyards glowing faintly in the distance.

Hannah, clutching his coat, hesitated. "I'll come with you."

As darkness deepened, the thought of being alone unnerved her.

Together, they approached one of the homes. Before they got close, the sharp sound of something being struck rang out from within.