Chapter 456

Hannah pulled off her helmet, a thin sheen of sweat shimmering across her forehead. Her eyes drifted toward Lindsay, who still couldn't accept defeat.Curling her lips in a mocking smile, she remarked,"You'll need to sharpen your skills. There's plenty of room for growth."

Without sparing Lindsay another glance, Hannah shifted her attention to Vincent, who had been quietly watching from the sidelines. She lifted the sword in her hand and said lightly, "Nice sword."

Vincent met her gaze, his eyes unfathomably deep,a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's yours now."

Hannah froze for a moment, startled, and was just about to decline when Lindsay's shrill cry sliced through the air like broken glass. "Ha! I knew you couldn't beat me fair and square!"

Lindsay jabbed a finger at the sword in Hannah's grasp, her voice grating with fury. "You cheated! You only beat me because of that sword. There must be something wrong with it! Otherwise, hnow could you possibly win me?"

Turning on Elvin, Lindsay cried, "Dad, I didn't lose!She cheated, and Mr. Jones helped her cheat!"

Elvin seized on her words as if they were his last lifeline. He strode forward, his chest puffed up with self-righteousness, and thundered, "Mr. Jones, my daughter speaks the truth! In competition, fairness is sacred, especially when the stakes are this high. Ms.Scott used your sword, a custom weapon. That tips the scales. Her victory cannot stand!"

Hannah's gaze darkened as she stared at Vincent's sword in her hand. She quickly assessed the situation.

。

Vincent rose slowly, a storm brewing on his face, his gaze as sharp and merciless as a drawn blade sweeping across Elvin and Lindsay. "And just because you said so, Ms. Scott's victory doesn't count?" The atmosphere thickened, so heavy that it seemed even the air forgot how to breathe.

Elvin, though buckling under the weight of Vincent's formidable presence, stubbornly pressed on. "Using a custom sword is unfair."

Claude, watching closely, furrowed his brows.Though Vincent irritated him, Elvin and Lindsay's refusal to accept defeat left an even more sour taste.

Claude stepped forward, his tone dripping with frost and irony."Mr. Cortez, when you saw Mr. Jones lend his sword to Ms. Scott earlier, you said nothing. Now that she's won, you suddenly raise objections? Isn't your timing just a little too convenient?"

Nikolas seized the chance, savoring the Cortez family's embarrassment. "Exactly-Mr. Hobbes has it right. What's the matter, Mr. Cortez? You can't stomach losing? If the sword was such a problem,why didn't you complain before? Only now you cry foul-sounds like sore losers to me."

Lindsay's face burned red, yet she refused to back down. "I am not a sore loser! This is about fairness.Mr. Jones' sword is custom-made. Of course, it gave Ms. Scott an advantage. Our challenge is perfectly reasonable!"

Hannah studied Lindsay's crimson face, a flicker of impatience flashing in her eyes. There was no point sparring with someone who couldn't accept the simple truth of defeat. "Enough bickering. If you think it unfair, I'll use a standard blade and still defeat you."

Her words struck Lindsay like a slap, leaving her flushed with humiliation.

"Fine!" Lindsay shrieked. "As long as you don't wield that cheating sword and fight fair, I'll acknowledge your win."

Claude cast Vincent a displeased glance and muttered, "Mr. Jones, if you hadn't stepped in and offered your sword, none of this would've unfolded.Sometimes, it's wiser not to interfere-your help may end up causing trouble for her."

It was a veiled warning for Vincent to keep his distance from Hannah.

But Vincent didn't bother with a reply; he simply cut Claude down with a cold, dismissive glance.

Hannah reached for a standard club sword from the rack, preparing to step back onto the field.

But Vincent's hand shot out, stopping her in her tracks."No need."

Puzzled, Hannah frowned. "No need for what?"

Vincent explained calmly, "No need for another round." He turned his gaze on Lindsay and Elvin."Yes, my sword is custom-made-but so is Miss Cortez's, isn't it?"