Chapter 489

Hannah asked Vincent to persuade Sharon not to accept the painting from Erica. Only if Sharon rejected the painting would the bug have its chance.

Vincent agreed without hesitation.

Hannah's eyes brightened with a playful smile as she urged,"You should head over now. If you delay, your grandmother will already be in bed."

Vincent reached the door, then turned back and looked at her."Tomorrow, I'll drive you to work."

Meeting his gaze, Hannah gave a gentle nod."Alright."

It was the very first time she consented to let him take her.Vincent's lips involuntarily curved into a smile.

Meanwhile, in the living room of the Jones family estate,Sharon, wearing her reading glasses, was carefully examining the painting still wrapped with care. Clearly, she had accepted Erica's gift and seemed rather fond of it.

"Grandma." Vincent's voice came from the doorway.

Sharon looked up, and when she saw Vincent, her smile deepened. "Vincent, come and look at this painting Brinley gave me. Isn't it marvelous?"

Vincent cast a glance at it before sitting beside the sofa. "Yes,it is quite nice," he said casually and then shifted his tone with quiet concern. "But Grandma, isn't this painting rather valuable?"

Sharon nodded. "Indeed. Brinley is so thoughtful-she must have spent quite a bit on it."

Vincent's eyes darkened with meaning. "Strange, isn't it? She has no place to turn to and has to live with us. Her employment isn't stable. Where would she find such money?"

And there he stopped.

As matriarch of the Jones family, Sharon surely caught his drift.His words made her realize that accepting the painting so readily was not wise. If the money had come from questionable hands, the Jones family's reputation could be dragged through the mud-and that, above all, she would not allow.

Sharon's smile faded. Her brows drew together, and without a second thought,she ordered a servant to return the painting to "Brinley:"

Vincent lifted his glass, sipping calmly, his expression as steady as a mountain.

Elsewhere,Erica sat before her vanity, a smug smile curling her lips. Sharon liked the painting-of that she was sure. Already,she was weaving dreams of using the gift, along with endless flattery, to win Sharon's trust, anchor herself in the Jones family, and step by step seize everything she believed should be hers.

Then came a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Erica asked, still in high spirits.

A servant's respectful voice answered from outside, "Miss Gilbert, Mrs. Jones asked me to return the painting to you.She said she's too old to enjoy something so costly and hopes you will keep it yourself."

The smile froze on Erica's face. She leapt up, rushed to the door,and flung it open. In the servant's hands lay the painting she had bought from Hannah at an inflated price,thinking it would please Sharon. Her expression darkened as she snatched it back coldly. How could this be? Returned-just like that?

"Why are you still here?" Erica snapped, her glare sharp, as though the servant were mocking her.

The servant hesitated and then spoke softly. "Mr. Jones asked me to remind you not to send such expensive gifts again. The Jones family lacks nothing. He hopes you'll behave yourself and not cause trouble, and above all, avoid provoking Ms.Scott."

Before the servant finished, Erica slammed the door with a crack of thunder. She hurled the painting aside and began tossing everything within reach. Not a single item on the vanity escaped her fury. A low, guttural growl escaped her throat.Why was Vincent always shielding Hannah? "That wretch!" she spat, cursing furiously.

At the same moment, Hannah, with headphones on, listened closely as Erica's room reverberated with muffled roars. Her own face remained calmn, almost serene. Was Erica truly this enraged simply because her gift had been returned? This was only the first stone cast into the pond.

Erica's troubles were only beginning, and Hannah intended to let them unfold at their own pace.