Chapter 519

Hannah slipped into the car and buckled her seatbelt. "Was it the bodyguards who told you?"

"Yeah." Vincent slid into the driver's seat, and his hands clenched a little tighter on the wheel. "What exactly did Claude say to you? Mind sharing it with me?"

He worked hard to keep the question from sounding like an interrogation.

Hannah's gaze lingered on the streets behind glass,her voicesteady. "Not much. Only that he's getting engaged, the date is set for next week, and he invited me to witness the ceremony."

Vincent's brows knited in a heartbeat, and he cast her a sharp glance. "Did you say yes?"

"Yeah," Hannah admitted softly. "I think I'll go. After

all, in my parents' eyes, he was always like a son."In her heart, she felt she ought to stand in for her late father and her sick mother, still in recovery.

Vincent held his tongue for a moment. Though the thought soured him, he respected her decision."Even though I don't fancy the idea of you showing up at his celebration, if you feel you must, then go.But promise me-take the bodyguards and stay in touch."

Hannah turned to him, a teasing curve tugging at her lips. "Mr. Jones, why do you sound as though we're already an item? If memory serves, you haven't actually won me over yet, have you?"

Her words stole Vincent's breath for a second. He was about to reply when his eyes caught Claude at the restaurant entrance-fury etched across his face,glaring straight at them.

Vincent's eyes chilled like ice on steel. Instead of answering Hannah, he lowered her window in one swift motion, cupped the back of her head, and pressed his mouth to hers in a fierce, unannounced kiss.

It was a kiss of claim, a banner raised in open declaration.

Hannah froze, startled, her hands braced against his chest,but he held her closer, unwilling to let go.

Only after a long moment did Vincent finally release her, his thumb brushing over her slightly swollen lips as he gave a roguish smile. "Just like you did to me in front of Erica."

Following his gaze, Hannah turned her head toward the window. Claude stood rooted there, face twisted with rage as he stared at them. In that instant,she understood the reason behind Vincent's sudden boldness.

Vincent no longer spared Claude a glance.He rolled the window back up and steered the car smoothly into traffic.

Hannah leaned back in her seat, silent, her mind still

processing everything that had just happened.

Vincent stole a look at her more than once, his grip on the wheel tightening with each glance. He assumed her silence was born of displeasure over the unexpected kiss.

After a hesitant beat, he spoke first. "Sorry. I acted on impulse. I shouldn't have kissed you without your consent. Please don't be angry with me."

His voice pulled her back from her thoughts. She blinked, surprised, and turned to him, her eyes a little unfocused. "What did you just say?"

Vincent's chest sank like a stone, and he repeated earnestly, "I said I shouldn't have kissed you without your consent. I hope you're not upset with me."

Hannah finally understood, shaking her head wvith a faint, rueful smile. "You think that's what on my mind?"

Vincent's eyes flickered in surprise. "Isn't it?" Seeing her earlier silence, he had assumed she was mad at him.

"I was only thinking about Claude's engagement celebration and wondering whether I should bring you along," Hannah sighed, her brows tightening.

Claude's murderous glare from just now still haunted her. Something in her gut warned her that going alone might mean higher possibilities of facing danger.

Vincent's attention sharpened at once, his eyes glimmering with a sudden light. "So, you're not mad at me?"

Seeing his hopeful look, she felt the heaviness Claude had cast over her heart quietly ease. Turning to face forward, her voice was calm but steady."No."

That single word cut the rope of tension inside Vincent, and relief swept over him, carrying a rush of joy with it. Almost without thinking, he flicked on the indicator and slowly pulled the car to the side of the road. Hannah blinked at him in puzzlement. "What's wrong?"

Vincent unbuckled his seatbelt, turned fully to her,his gaze steady and unwavering. "Then can I have another kiss?"