Chapter 433

This marked the very first instance that Vincent had stored a chef's number in his private phone.

Last night, after Hannah had turned him down so firmly, Vincent had altered his plan and specifically hired a chef tasked with preparing Hannah's meals every single day.

His concern over Hannah's nutrition arose because she appeared to have lost a considerable amount of weight. He became especially aware of it the moment he grasped her wrist that day; it felt alarmingly delicate.

Right then, the project manager, Huntley Perry, was presenting until his throat turned dry, darting a glance at Vincent, seated at the top of the conference table.

Unexpectedly, Vincent, who usually radiated severity, now showed a faint curve at his lips.

Huntley felt a thrill of elation. Was Vincent actually smiling while he gave his presentation? His proposal must have captured Vincent's approval!

Brimming with confidence, Huntley raised his tone with greater force. "Thus, I firmly propose we launch this project without delay, allocate resources, and secure the market lead!"

Huntley finished his speech with a bold flourish and fixed his gaze on Vincent expectantly.

The atmosphere turned hushed. Every gaze locked onto Vincent.

Vincent gradually lifted his face. The hint of a smile had dissolved entirely, replaced with his typical cold sharpness.

"Are you done?" Vincent's tone was low and stripped of warmth.

Vincent leaned slightly backward, pressing into the broad leather chair, his fingertips rhythmically tapping the table, each crisp sound cutting through the stillness. That faint rhythm carried an invisible weight across the quiet space.

Vincent let out a mocking chuckle, declaring, "You used last year's data in your proposal, didn't you? The market has fundamentally changed this year. Rival products have already secured the first-mover advantage. Your statistics are stale, and your analysis is narrow. Is this how you handle your responsibilities?Is this what your department has to offer?"

Huntley's grin collapsed instantly, his complexion draining. "We'll revise it immediately."

Huntley chastened himself inwardly. So Vincent didn't smile because he was satisfied with the proposal.What a disastrous misread!

Hannah eventually brought the insulated carrier prepared by the chef to work.

For precaution, she took a taxi rather than driving herself to Luminara Group. Once she reached the company, she slid the insulated carrier beneath her desk.

All morning, a faint unease lingered in her chest.

At lunchtime, she went straight toward the group's security division. Relying on Victoria's highest clearance,she dismissed the security team.

She slipped into the main monitoring chamber and retrieved every camera feed surrounding her parking spot from the day before.

Holding her breath, Hannah focused intently on the screen.

As the footage rewound minute by minute, an irregularity appeared roughly an hour after she had arrived at the company yesterday.

A figure wrapped in heavy clothing crept toward her white vehicle furtively. The bulky figure tampered beneath the car for about sixty seconds before darting away into a blind corner outside the lens.

Hannah immediately copied the video footage. When she returned to her office, she messaged Vincent."Send me every photo I snapped yesterday.I need them all." Vincent replied without delay, and the images arrived quickly. He then followed up, asking, "Did you identify the suspect?"

Hannah answered, "Not yet."

Vincentinquired, "Does the food suit you?"

Hannah had intended to reply with "50-50",but remembering Addie, she altered her words. "Addie's cooking is wonderful. Don't dock her pay."

Vincent instantly replied, "Alright."

Hannah ended the conversation there.

She swiftly packaged the footage and photographs, forwarding them to Officer Gavin, who once managed her case, with a brief note of explanation. Gavin assured her he would monitor it closely.

Only after completing all this did Hannah feel some measure of calm. She uncovered the insulated carrier,steam rising with a rich aroma, though her appetite remained low, and she only tasted a few mouthfuls.

As the afternoon resumed, Hannah's office line rang. It was Calvin's assistant. "Ms. Preston, please proceed to Room 3 at once. Mr. Briggs and several directors are requesting you now."

A faint tightness seized Hannah's chest. She had the sense that something significant was about to unfold.

Gathering her composure, Hannah rose and walked toward Room 3.

On one side of the long table sat Calvin,Finance Director Michael Clark,Audit Director Collin Leo,along with two additional directors Hannah did not know personally but recognized as holding senior authority.

Hannah had braced for the possibility of her identity being exposed, but upon entering,she realized her concerns had been misplaced. None of them was familiar. It appeared major shifts in personnel had occurred during her time away from the group.

Every gaze fastened upon Hannah, laced with scrutiny and veiled animosity.

Michael snatched a stack of papers from the table and slammed them down forcefully in front of her The papers spread apart, exposing the "revised" document for the Stellink Plan data that Calvin had handed over the day before.

Michael's tone rose harshly, brimming with undisguised fury and condemnation. "Natalie, explain this.Is this the conduct of a supervisor? How could you falsify figures on such a vital project? The nerve!"