Chapter 429

A woman's shrill howls and anguished cries reverberated without pause, mixed with the sobbing of a frightened child.

"You vile woman! How dare you still protect this worthless brat?" A man's harsh and brutal bellow exploded,trailed instantly by a sharp "slap!" and the woman's agonized moan.

"I'll beat you to death!"

Hannah's once-clouded thoughts snapped fully awake-this was unmistakably domestic abuse. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward the dwelling.

Vincent instinctively moved to restrain her, but she darted ahead too swiftly. He rushed in right after her.

By luck, the door was unlocked.

Inside, a man was wrenching the hair of a woman whose face bore glaring, swollen palm prints and whose hair hung wildly in disarray. Splintered shards covered the floor. A small girl, no older than six, crouched in a corner,weeping in dread.

The man's other arm hovered above her, prepared to strike once more.

"Stop!" Hannah yelled fiercely, and as his baffled stare landed on her, she tightened her fist and slammed it into his nose.

"Argh!" Tom Smith shrieked in torment as blood gushed from his nostrils.

He staggered backward, holding his face, gaping at the sudden appearance of Hannah in disbelief."You...Who are you?" His words slurred.

Hannah ignored him, instead hurrying to steady the trembling, petrified woman, Nadia Becker. "Don't be afraid! We're taking you away from here!"

Tom froze briefly, and then, ignoring the blood streaming down his nose, jabbed a finger at Hannah and snarled, "Who the hell are you? Why are you dragging my wife off? This is my family's business. Back away from it!"

As he ranted, he rushed over in fury.

Hannah caught his wrist mnid-swing and twisted sharply, while Vincent used the chance to drive a kick into him.

Tom screamed in anguish, writhing on the floor, mucus, tears, and blood streaking his swollen face.

Hannah glared icily, wondering if he would dare strike his wife again after this.

"Impressive skills," Vincent muttered, his eyes on Hannah.

Hannah dusted off her hands. "Just got some training."

Vincent's eyes flickered. In that moment, she reminded him of her earlier, more assertive self.

Hannah turned her gaze toward the little girl huddled in the corner, softening her tone. "It's all right now,sweetheart."

"Hey, I am the injured one here!" Tom groaned from the floor, struggling to lift his battered head, his face mottled and swollen with misery. "Director! You never said there would be actual blows! And wasn't the script supposed to have only the female lead seized by me? Who's this man? He's not even written in!"

Director? Script? Hannah and Vincent exchanged a swift look, their eyes wide with disbelief and absurdity.A blunder? Were they interrupting a production?

Hannah quickly scanned the room but saw no obvious lights, cameras, or crew. "Something is wrong..."she whispered to Vincent, her expression sharp. "We should get out now!"

Vincent agreed, moving toward the little girl still curled in the corner.

But then, a voice rang out.

"Cut!" The director, who had been wwatching through a monitor, finally reacted after Tom had been pummeled badly, realizing the intruders were not part of the cast. He seized the walkie-talkie, his voice brimmning with fury, echoing unnaturally through a hidden loudspeaker in the yard. "What the hell just happened? Who are you two? How did you barge into this place?"

As the words faded, from several unnoticed corners of the yard, eight figures in plain clothes suddenly stepped out. At the front was a man of middle age, capped and dressed in a director's jacket.

The director strode toward Hannah and Vincent, sizing them up with keen eyes, noting their striking appearance.

Vincent moved in front of Hannah protectively.

Tom, still gripping his bleeding nose, dragged himself toward the director, complaining miserably: "Director,they aren't from our crew! I got thrashed for nothing! The pain is killing me. I demand an extra payment for today's shoot, plus medical coverage!"

The director brushed him aside impatiently, still staring at Hannah and Vincent. "Fine, fine! You'll be paid.Step aside!"

Hannah managed a small apologetic smile and explained, "Sorry. We were just passing by. We heard a commotion inside and thought it was domestic violence. So we charged in recklessly. And the woman stayed silent throughout. I thought terror kept her quiet. I'll handle the medical costs for this actor."

Nadia whispered faintly after hearing Hannah mention her, "The director said I only need to cry and endure hits, no lines."

Hannah smiled apologetically once more. "We'll leave right away."

The director studied Hannah and Vincent for a long pause before declaring, "I'm afraid leaving isn't possible."

Vincent's expression grew grim.