Chapter 461

Claude's vehicle advanced evenly along the road. His eyes drifted toward Hannah's faintly pallid outline and the slight tension between her brows, and he could not restrain himself.′′Arnna, what did you talk to Vincent just now? You seem unwell."

Hannah rested deeper into the seat, her expression distant and unfocused as she lost herself in her own thoughts. At his inquiry, she drew herself back, her tone carrying weariness."|′Snothing. Just weighed down by some unwelcome recollections stirred up by the moment."

Claude noticed her unwillingness to elaborate, a darkness flashing in his gaze, though his smile stayed soft.He changed the subject, affecting casualness. "The major issue within the Luminara Group has finally been resolved.What direction will you take next?"

Hannah's eyes regained their sharp discipline. "If the endeavor proceeds as intended, the subsequent stage is naturally to harvest the gains."

Claude laughed lightly and then deliberately shifted the gear. "I mean, aside from business,have you thought about the big milestones in life?"

Hannah hesitated briefly and then shook her head decisively. "I have no so-called big milestones in life.Expanding the Luminara Group is my biggest milestone."

Claude's smile faltered, a flicker of disappointment passing through his eyes. After a pause, he continued,"I understand. I only meant that if Luminara Group seeks even greater advancement, there's another powerful route-a marriage of convenience. Joining forces multiplies progress. What's your view?"

Hannah creased her brows at that remark.′′Amarriage of convenience? I've never given it any thought.If my career ever required marriage as a stepping stone, then I'd be utterly useless."

Her frigid, curt statement struck like a dousing of ice. Claude's grin disappeared, and his features hardened instantly. The car lapsed into silence.

Hannah then recalled Claude's recent blind date-he had been considering a marriage alliance. Realizing her words might have wounded, she softened slightly. After all, Claude was entangled in the turbulence of family power, with scarce autonomy of his own in terms of choosing a partner.

She exhaled, her tone easing. "Claude, I wasn't referring to you. You're burdened by family expectations-|understand."

Claude listened, bitterness swelling, yet he still chose to make it clear to her face. "I will not wed Lindsay Cortez. Her cheating during a fencing match exposes her true character. I'm not so desperate as to marry a woman of that level."

Hannah inclined her head, her words calm. "Yes, marriage is a weighty matter. You should choose wvisely."

"Then will you assist me?" Claude pressed.

Hannah stiffened briefly. "Assist you?"

"Assist me in choosing. I trust your judgment." He revealed his true intention at last.

Hannah sighed inwardly. She disliked being entangled in the Hobbes family's marital plots, yet Claude had offered her much support. With matters spoken this far, she finally agreed. "Alright, I'll come by when I find the chance."

Claude's lips curved into an ambiguous smile. "Then it's agreed."

After dropping Hannah home, Claude drove off as dusk descended.

The instant he crossed his threshold, the cultivated, refined smile vanished utterly, replaced with a chilling,predatory coldness.

He strode swiftly toward the concealed chamber, its walls plastered with images of Hannah. His gaze devoured each picture hungrily, his eyes burning with sickly obsessive desire.

From the moment Hannah escaped from Vincent's grasp, Claude had worn a mask before her-posing as tender, posing as attentive, posing as magnanimous. He had edged closer with careful design, step after

step. He had convinced himself that with enough patience, enough virtue, she would one day acknowledge his devotion-one day/...return his love.

But even after Hannah's separation from Vincent, even with Erica, surgically reshaped to wear Hannah's face, showing up in front of Vincent, Hannah still encountered Vincent-and he still recognized her.

That unseen tether and their tangled history drove Claude into deranged jealousy. Hannah was destined to belong to no one but him. He could no longer endure waiting for her heart to turn naturally. He must act-claim her entirely, whatever it required.

Over the following weeks, Hannah immersed herself in directing the company.

Utilizing the winnings secured from Elvin and Nikolas-the licensing of Cortez Tech's vital patents and suburban estates-she swiftly revived Luminara Group's liquidity and unveiled a new strategic blueprint.

Notably, the expansive immersive production Celestial Voyage, which had dragged on from a lack of funds,leapt forward once new capital flowed in.

Polished character CG, a vast crafted world, inventive gameplay systems-everything signaled its rise as a genre-defining triumph.

Yet, just as the venture neared its last testing stage, on the brink of a major promotional launch, the project leader, Judie Green, stumbled into Hannah's office,her complexion ashen.

Cold sweat streamed down Judie's brow. "Ms. Scott, disaster has struck! The character CGs from our Celestial Voyage venture have been plagiarized!"