Chapter 511

A conflicted expression crossed Claude's face.

Spotting the tear trailing down Hannah's cheek,Vincent stepped forward and assertively grasped her hand, pulling her close to his side. His voice carried unwavering authority. "Let's go."

Hannah offered no resistance, nodding with quiet compliance."Okay."

Vincent refused to spare Claude even a glance.

Protectively shielding Hannah, he turned and strode away with purposeful steps.

Claude remained frozen in place, making no move to stop their departure. His gaze followed their retreating forms, fingers intertwined, until they disappeared from sight completely.

Slowly, Claude's eyes drifted shut as he drew in a

steadying breath. When they reopened, every trace of emotion had been swept away, replaced by an impenetrable coldness. Raising one hand, he gestured to Marco who had been maintaining a respectful distance.

Marco hurried over with a practiced bow. "Mr.Hobbes."

Claude's tone remained perfectly controlled, yet something in it made the air turn frigid. "Was that video cleaned up?"

Marco paused, momentarily confused. "Are you referring to the footage where we uncovered Miss Stanton's involvement?"

Not a flicker of emotion colored Claude's response."Yes."

That video remained burned into his memory with painful clarity. Originally, fearing Erica might harm Hannah, he'd arranged for discrete surveillance of her activities. What they discovered instead was Erica orchestrating a plot to cause a fatal car crash

targeting Hannah's parents.

Upon viewing the evidence, his immediate instinct had been fury and an overwhelming urge to intervene. The Scott family had raised him as their own son. Standing idle was unthinkable. Yet, just as he prepared to act, a poisonous thought crept into his consciousness.

During that period, Hannah and Vincent had been spending increasing amounts of time together, their paths crossing repeatedly.

Powerless to intervene, Claude had found himself drowning in jealousy. Night after night,he watched the woman he loved grow closer to her former husband. The agony of frustration and burning jealousy consumed him relentlessly. A dark, twisted notion began taking root. What if tragedy actually befell Hannah's parents?

Drowning in profound grief, Hannah would become vulnerable and lost, with only one person she could trust completely-him, the "brother" who'd shared her childhood. How could Vincent, a mere outsider,

truly comprehend the depths of her anguish? In her darkest hour, she would naturally pull away from Vincent and seek comfort in his arms instead.

Once this corrupted thought took hold, it had infected Claude's reasoning like a spreading poison.Ultimately, he'd chosen the path of silence. The vital video evidence that could have exposed Erica was deliberately destroyed, leaving him a passive observer.

Claude had told himself this was merely a temporary measure to draw Hannah back to his side.He would never truly allow harm to befall her parents-he would maintain control over the situation.

But fate had other plans entirely. Never could he have foreseen the car crash spiraling so catastrophically beyond his control. Raymond had died instantly, while Margaret lay gravely injured and unconscious.

This outcome had far exceeded his expectations.Shock and remorse crashed over him. Yet, buried deep within his heart, a twisted satisfaction confirmed his darkest beliefs. Drowning in overwhelming grief, Hannah had indeed clung to him like a lifeline, severing all ties with Vincent completely.

Now, Hannah's growing suspicion cut through him like a blade. Though she hadn't uncovered the full truth, it filled him with an unprecedented sense of crisis. All obstacles needed to be eliminated more swiftly.

Drawing in a measured breath, Claude túrned to Marco, his voice resuming its characteristic composure while carrying unmistakable authority."Arrange surveillance on Hannah. Every movement she makes, I want documented."

A chill ran down Marco's spine as he nodded. "Yes,Mr.Hobbes."

Claude's attention shifted toward the window, his expression sharpening with calculated ambition."Also, inform my mother that l've accepted the proposal of the strategic marriage alliance. Tell her to expedite the arrangements immediately."

Surprise flickered briefly across Marco's features before he lowered his gaze once more."Understood."

A cruel smile played at the corners of Claude's mouth. A strategic marriage alliance? Nothing mnore than a convenient stepping stone to seize absolute control. His intention was to claim complete dominion over the Hobbes family empire as rapidly as possible. Once he wielded unshakeable power,who would possess the audacity to question his choices? He could marry anyone he desired!Hannah... After years of patient waiting and observation, she could only belong to him.

Meanwhile, Vincent's black sedan maintained steady progress along the return route. Hannah's vehicle had been retrieved by one of Vincent's security personnel.

Vincent cast a sideways glance at Hannah, breaking the car's heavy silence. "You look exhausted. Close your eyes and rest for a while, okay?"

Hannah shook her head gently, her voice carrying a

distant quality, "I'm not tired. How's the situation with Erica?"

"My team is already retrieving her complete cosmetic surgery records and documentation," Vincent responded evenly. "Once they return from overseas,we'll have concrete evidence."

"Hmm." Hannah's soft acknowledgment hung in the air for several moments before she spoke again,quietly. "Thank you for today."

"There's no need for gratitude," Vincent replied,detecting the heaviness weighing on her words."How about I take you somewhere?"