Chapter 533

Erica's pupils widened. So that was why Hannah always seemed one step ahead of her. It turned out she had been under Hannah's monitor all along without even realizing it.

A chill of fury ran through Erica, as though ice had seeped into her veins. She had been tricked,monitored like prey, and the realization burned.

Her first impulse was simple and raw-to toss the tiny device straight into the toilet and flush it away,erasing the insult in an instant.

But just as her hand rose, a darker thought crept in, sharper than her anger.

She halted, staring at the little listening device resting in her palm. A cold smile, cruel and twisted, slowly stretched across her lips. Throwing it away? That would be far too easy for Hannah. This little bug might yet serve a purpose.

Erica's mind began to spin with schemes. She would not discard it-she would turn it into bait, a trap to lure Hannah into.

Meanwhile, Erica's sudden decision to sell off her factories and amass a great deal of cash had not gone unnoticed. Vincent's team had been carefully tracking her financial moves and thus immediately flagged the activity.

They wasted no time in reporting their findings. Vincent, grim-faced, carried the preliminary gathered information on Erica's suspicious factories straight to Hannah for review.

Hannah carefully examined the documents: accounts that looked normal at first glance, yet carried contradictions and financial oddities; blurred surveillance photos that seemed ordinary but hinted at mnore beneath the surface. At last, the truth struck her. "So all that money Erica squandered-on plastic surgeries,on bribes, on her reckless whims-comes from these shady factories?"

"Exactly," Vincent replied, his tone as cold as steel. "And according to the trail we've pieced together, the factory where we previously found evidence of Alice being schemed against is likely one of Erica's assets,which is operating under her orders."

Hannah laid the papers down with deliberate calm, though her eyes shone with resolve. "Then we can't waste another moment. Erica must face justice. I'll organize this evidence and send it to Gavin. He can launch a formal investigation and move to have her arrested."

"I'm already ahead of you," Vincent said, his voice steady but carrying a weight of urgency. "The data has been encrypted and sent to Gavin. He's treating this matter with utmost seriousness. He's already dispatched people to dig into it. But there's a problem-the factories mask themselves as legitimate businesses. On paper, their daily operations are spotless. Direct evidence will be hard to come by. Gavin is considering sending someone undercover to collect proof. So don't be anxious. It's only a matter of time."

Hannah exhaled slowly, a sigh that carried both relief and patience. "Alright, having a direction is a good start. As long as we can prove beyond doubt that Erica masterminded these illegal factories, framed Alice,and profited through the illegal operations, justice will prevail."

"Justice will prevail," Vincent echoed, but the firmness in his voice could not hide a flicker of unease.Something gnawed at him. The path ahead might not go as smoothly. After all, Erica was cornered now. A cornered beast might strike with fangs bared. She might choose desperation over defeat.

Turning to Hannah, he spoke with stern finality."Starting tomorrow, your protection will be doubled.From now on, you will not step outside with fewer than five bodyguards."

Hannah's brows drew together in protest. "Five? Isn't that excessive? I hardly go anywhere but the office and home: Do I truly need that many?"

"Trust me," Vincent urged, his gaze unwavering, heavy with concern. "Erica is reckless and could pose a threat. We can't gamble with this. Only when she is captured will I breathe easy."

The deep worry in his eyes left Hannah speechless for a moment. At last, she gave a quiet nod, conceding to his will. "Alright, I'll listen to you."

A few days later, Bryant, who was keeping close watch over Erica's movements through the listening device, sent in fresh intelligence. Erica had made her next move.