Chapter 486

Hannah placed her mug down with a delicate chime.Lifting her gaze slowly, she locked eyes with Erica, a mischievous smile dancing across her features. "I'm here for artwork. What's so strange about that?"

Gibson presented the painting to Hannah, who made a show of studying it carefully. While pretending to admire the brushwork,she discreetly attached a small bug to the frame before casually setting it aside.

Erica loomed over her, voice razor-sharp with accusation."A coincidence, huh? The exact painting I desired, you happen to want too? You're obviously targeting me deliberately!"

Hannah sank deeper into the plush sofa, her posture becoming even more leisurely. "Does my intent really matter? The painting belongs to me now. And no one could steal it away from me, regardless of the tactics applied."

Her words carried layers of hidden meaning. Her gaze lingered meaningfully on Erica's face, which bore a striking resemblance to her own.

Erica bristled with barely contained fury,fighting to control her rage. "Name your price. I need this painting! What will it take for you to part with it?"

Hannah's smile widened, cold calculation gleaming in her dark eyes. "Miss Gilbert, you appear remarkably well-funded. Hardly the appearance of someone fresh from jail."

Panic flickered briefly in Erica's gaze before she masked it with forced confidence.′′My/stepfather is wealthy, so what? That's none of your concern."

Hannah's soft laughter carried a cutting edge,her stare turning predatory. "Stepfather? If my memory serves, you two barely tolerate each other. Why would he suddenly become so generous with his wallet and allow such frivolous expenditures?"

"You!" Erica's composure shattered, her voice becoming a harsh screech. "Enough games. Are you selling it or not?"

Witnessing her complete meltdown, Hannah's face twisted wvith undisguised contempt. She gracefully lifted her mug,breathing softly across the rising steam of the coffee. "Of course,I'm willing to part with it. Simpy tack on two hundred thousand to the listed price."

Murderous hatred blazed in Erica's stare. Yet, understanding how crucial this painting was for winning Sharon's approval, she swallowed her rage. Yanking a card from her purse, she slammed it onto the table."Fine."

She snatched the wrapped artwork and spun toward the exit.

As Erica retreated, Hannah's voice cut through the air like ice."Miss Gilbert, do your sins ever keep you awake at night? After all the darkness you've spread, does your conscience ever find peace?"

Erica's footsteps froze, her entire frame shaking violently.Without turning or uttering a word, she fled down the staircase.

Outside,torrential rain had trapped numerous patrons under the gallery's awning.

Erica clutched the painting protectively while frantically calling for transportation.

Hannah had slipped downstairs unnoticed and now stood silently at Erica's side.

A passerby, struck by their uncanny similarity, burst out in amazement. "Wow! Are you two twins? The resemblance is

amazement. "Wow! Are you two twins? The resemblance is absolutely stunning!"

Hannah gave a subtle shake of her head. "No."

Catching the stranger's comment and spotting Hannah nearby,Erica's lips twisted into a mocking sneer. "Ms. Scott, don't you have countless admirers at your beck and call? Both Claude and Vincent worship the ground you walk on! So what's wrong?With this downpour, nobody's rushing to your rescue? Perhaps they've finally grown weary of your charms and simply forgotten you exist?"

Meeting Erica's taunting stare head-on,Hannah's mouth curved into an arctic smile. "What about you? Miss Gilbert, won't you and that precious painting get completely soaked?"

"You!" Erica shot back immediately, smugness creeping into her tone. "Who claims I'm stranded here alone? Danica absolutely adores me! The moment she heard about the storm,she dispatched the driver to collect me! She should arrive any moment now!"

Hannah's laughter rang with cruel amusement. "Really? Unable to capture her son's heart, so you're desperately courting his mother's favor instead? Truly pitiful."

"What right do you have to mock me?" Erica's composure exploded completely, words tumbling out in a venomous rush."You're nothing but discarded goods! Do you honestly believe Vincent will ever marry you again? He's simply amusing himself with you temporarily! Once the novelty wears off,you'll be absolutely nothing!"

Hannah's expression remained perfectly serene. "Whether he marries me or not, I don't know. But I know with absolute certainty he'll never marry you. Never."

"You!" Erica felt those words pierce straight through her heart,fury consuming every shred of rational thought. Her hand flew

fury consuming every shred of rational thought. Her hand flew up in a vicious arc, aimed directly at Hannah's cheek.

But Hannah moved like lightning, her fingers clamping around Erica's wrist with iron strength. Ice filled her gaze as her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "We're surrounded by witnesses. Control yourself."

Hannah released Erica's trembling hand with deliberate slowness. Then, she checked her watch, a knowing smile ghosting across her features. "Oh, and I'm not without a ride.If my calculations are correct, he should arrive any second."