Chapter 546

Scorpio burst through the door immediately, his attention drawn straight to the blade lying on the floor. He misread the scene entirely, his expression turning menacing. "Mr. Ward, that woman actually attempted an attack. Don't worry. I'll have her thrown into the sea this instant!"

Brixton's brow creased deeply, his tone carrying clear irritation."When did I issue orders to dispose of her overboard?"

Scorpio faltered,clearly bewildered. "What? Didn't she attempt to murder you?" He gestured toward the weapon on the floor.

"No," Brixton responded with icy composure. "She didn't try anything."

Scorpio grew even more perplexed and ventured carefully,"Then what are your instructions, Mr.Ward?"

Brixton's gaze returned to Hannah's peaceful sleeping form. He dismissed the matter with an impatient wave. "Transfer her to a different cabin for rest. Her presence here is disruptive to my sleep."

Scorpio instinctively observed Hannah-she lay in tranquil slumber, producing no sound whatsoever. Yet, he dared not challenge his superior's directive and responded respectfully,"Understood, I'll relocate her immediately."

Within a shadowy room in Dorbarrow, Erica remained bound to a chair, her features displaying a volatile mixture of terror and rage. "Vincent! Have you completely lost your sanity? What exactly do you think you're doing? This constitutes unlawful

exactly do you think you're doing? This constitutes unlawful imprisonment!"

She fought against her restraints in vain.

Vincent maintained his position before her with complete stoicism, his eyes radiating coldness. "Where is Hannah? Unless you provide that information, you'll never leave this place."

"This violates the law!" Erica attempted using legal intimidation as leverage.

"Violates the law?" Vincent appeared to find this enormously amusing, a frigid smile touching his lips. "Who possesses evidence of wrongdoing? You initiated the kidnapping.Considering I haven't harmed you physically and am simply accommodating you as my 'guest' here, I'd suggest my treatment remains remarkably civilized."

His investigative team had returned from the island with troubling reports. The island had endured a catastrophic explosion that destroyed the whole fortress. Only blackened debris and unrecognizable remains persisted, yielding no useful intelligence. This pushed his worry and exasperation to unbearable levels.

His attention was fixed on the encrypted device confiscated from Erica. "Is this how you communicate with them?"

Erica pressed her lips together firmly, refusing to respond.

"The password," Vincent demanded, his voice completely stripped of any warmth.

Erica maintained her stubborn silence, attempting resistance through non-cooperation.

Vincent's remaining patience evaporated as he seized her throat with crushing force.

The pressure proved so intense that breathing became

The pressure proved so intense that breathing became impossible, her complexion shifting from deep crimson to an alarming purple shade.

"The password!" Vincent repeated, the lethal intent blazing in his eyes becoming almost palpable.

Erica gasped desperately, "I'll reveal it! I'll reveal it!" Death's proximity finally shattered her psychological barriers. She managed to force several digits past her constricted throat.

Vincent released his grip, picked up the phone, and swiftly entered the provided code to unlock the device. He navigated directly to the contact directory and asked, "Which one issued orders to you? Point it out!"

Struggling to draw breath, Erica trembled violently as she indicated the uppermost number in the list, which bore no saved name. "The first one."

Vincent immediately dialed the number, but the number was out of service. His expression grew thunderous. Spinning around,he seized Erica by the collar, his voice quaking with barely restrained fury. "Are you toying with me?"

"I'm not! Why would I dare to lie to you when I'm in this situation?" Erica shrieked in terror. "That's simply how their system operates! They can only contact me. I cannot reach them directly! I explained this before-you must wait! Wait for them to make contact. There's absolutely nothing else within my power."

"I cannot wait" Vincent's foot connected violently with the nearby table, sending it crashing to the floor. He remained completely reactive while possessing zero intelligence about his adversary's location.

"Didn't they want money? I've assembled one billion in cash!Why haven't they reached out to you yet?" he bellowed,desperately seeking some rational explanation within the

desperately seeking somne rational explanation within the madness.

Erica cowered at his explosive behavior. "I'm uncertain. Perhaps some complication arose on their side..."

"Some complication?" Vincent's eyes burned with bloodshot intensity. "Erica, you'd better pray for Hannah's well-being!Should any harm befall her, I guarantee you'll curse the day you were born!"

He snatched her phone and marched toward the exit.

Just as he grasped the door handle, Erica suddenly screamed,"Vincent, aren't you concerned about Sharon learning of this?You're treating me this way! I'm her cherished adopted daughter! If she learned how you've handled me, imagine her devastation!"

Vincent's steps halted. Without turning back, his voice carried unwavering determination. "You forfeit any right to invoke her name. When you orchestrated your fake death and vanished,did you ever stop to consider how she might react? Following your supposed death, I told her you had an accidental death.She became physically ill from mourning and required months to recover gradually. I will never reveal your existence to her,nor allow her to witness your current state. Because you don't deserve it. You would only taint the sincere feelings she had for you!"

With that declaration, he slammed the door shut and departed without a backward glance.