Chapter 464

"Good afternoon, Mr. Jones." Judie lowered herself into the chair with a touch of unease, her expression marked by deliberate professionalism.

Vincent's eyes carried an edge, his tone flat and unreadable. "Where is Ms. Scott?"

Judie hurriedly responded, "Ms. Scott was suddenly called into an overseas video meeting and couldn't leave, so she instructed me to negotiate the plagiarism settlement in her place with full authority."

Her voice carried sincerity, hoping to lessen his suspicion.

Vincent offered no immediate reply. He merely raised his coffee cup and drank slowly. His attention shifted toward Judie's phone resting on the table-the lit screen revealed a live call in progress. Comprehension dawned instantly.

Rather than confront her, he altered course. "Is that so? Since Ms. Scott is unavailable, I've changed my mind. Name your price. Aurora Court Studio, operating under the Jones Group, plagiarized first, so we're prepared to purchase every design right of the Celestial Voyage project with a generous premium." His words struck firmly.

Judie froze, startled by the abrupt proposal. "Acquire it? Mr. Jones, we... Should this talk be about compensation?" Her eyes flicked toward the phone instinctively.

Inside a vehicle parked below, Hannah listened through the line, her brows pressed tightly together. WNhat game was Vincent playing?

Vincent studied Judie's startled face. "Compensation? Your Luminara Group does not seem sincere about the talk over the compensation. Brushing me off with just a project lead? Naturally, I've changed my mind.Jones Group is capable of buying out the design outright."

Then, his tone firm, he added, "The Jones Group is ready to offer five hundred million dolars-but only if Luminara Group makes a public statement about plagiarizing Aurora Court Studio and permanently scrapping the Celestial Voyage project." His terms were brutally harsh.

"Impossible!" Judie burst out, color rising in her cheeks. His terms were blatant distortion of the real situation-utterly intolerable.

Judie's voice rose with urgency. "Mr. Jones, Aurora Court Studio copied us. Coming here to negotiate compensation is already the height of sincerity. How could you..."

Vincent cut her short with a raised hand, his presence pressing hard. "Then have Ms. Scott come talk to me herself. With her, I'll discuss compensation. But with you, I only discuss a buyout." His brows drew tight."You should know that Jones Group holds the power to erase Celestial Voyage."

Judie's expression grew grim, her breath quickened. "Ms. Scott is genuinely tied up!"

Vincent's gaze drifted back toward Judie's phone, his awareness unshaken. "Tied up? Hasn't she been on the line with you this whole time? Tell her to come up."

Judie's complexion went pale. Finally, she lifted the phone with reluctant hands, her voice weary as she spoke into the line. "Ms. Scott, Mr. Jones insists on speaking with you..."

"I heard everything. I'll be there." Hannah's steady, cool voice flowed through the line.

Moments later, the door to the private room opened.

Hannah appeared in a crisp business suit, each step measured and unwavering. Her features revealed nothing,as though this were merely another routine negotiation.

Hannah walked directly to the table. Judie quickly rose, yielding the central seat with deference and moving to the chair beside her.

Hannah settled and met Vincent's eyes, her voice even. "Mr. Jones, you acknowledged the plagiarism already.Why, once my delegate arrived, did you change your mind and offer such unreasonable terms?"

Seeing her finally before him, a faint curve touched Vincent's lips. He leaned back casually, posture loosening. "Because you're avoiding me."

Hannah stiffened, a frown creasing her brow. "Avoiding you?"

Vincent's stare locked on hers, his tone unwavering."After the fencing incident,I invited you several times,and you always claimed to be occupied. This time, I asked for you directly, yet you dispatched another. If that isn't avoidance,what is?"

Hannah held his look without flinching, responding evenly, "I truly am occupied. Surely, Mr. Jones, you're aware of Luminara Group's current challenges."

Vincent leaned forward slightly, persistence steady in his gaze. "I know, which is why the instant the plagiarism issue surfaced, I reached out to you personally and chose to trust you. Yet, you kept avoiding me -that isn't fair."

Judie's heart tumbled like turbulent seas. She lowered her eyes, trying to vanish, wishing she could dissolve into the background. This resembled no negotiation at all. It felt like a raw quarrel between lovers.

Hannah clearly recognized the drift and reined it back. Drawing a deep breath, she returned to the matter at hand. "Regarding the plagiarism, Mr. Jones, what resolution do you propose?"

Vincent noted her redirection and allowed it, his tone reverting to formal. "Straightforward. Aurora Court Studio will release an official confession of plagiarism, deliver a public apology, and permanently withdraw Dustfall Era. On top of that, the Jones Group will compensate the Luminara Group one billion dollars. Does that satisfy you?"

Hannah's brow arched-why did that phrasing sound so strangely familiar?