Chapter 567

The hall buzzed with a taut, unspoken tension.

Yet, Brixton made no move to speak right away. His eyes roamed over the gathering, assessing every face before finally stopping on Hannah, who lingered near the corner like she wanted to disappear. He lifted his hand, crooking a single finger, in her direction. "Hey, you-step over here."

Heads turned in unison, every gaze locking on Hannah.

The weight of their surprise, curiosity, and scrutiny felt like a thousand needles pricking Hannah's skin.Her chest tightened until it hurt. With so many eyes on her, refusing wasn't an option.

Hannah swallowed down the panic and smoothed her expression into something neutral before stepping forward, weaving through the narrow aisle that had opened for her like a gauntlet. The weight of every stare prickled across her back, setting her nerves on edge. Scorpio's eyes were as cold as a drawn blade.

Hannah halted in front of Brixton, lowering her gaze just slightly.

Brixton lifted his hand, gesturing lazily in her direction as his voice rolled through the hall. "From this moment, she's living on the third floor. She's no longer a hostage." A slow, satisfied curl touched his lips before he added, "She's my woman now."

The hall went still until Scorpio broke the silence, his jaw tight with fury. "Mr. Ward, please reconsider.If she's no longer our hostage, what happens to the deal we made with Vincent? Are we really giving up a billion in cash?"

Brixton didn't even glance up, his voice flat and cold."With what we've raked in from the casino and our current turnover, we've already cleared more than that. Why bother with Vincent's money?"

Scorpio's composure cracked. "But we're not after Vincent's money! What we want from him is...""Scorpio." Brixton's tone sliced through the room like a whip, his sharp look warning Scorpio to shut his mouth.

The color drained from Scorpio's face. He bit back the rest of his words, realizing how close he'd come to spilling everything. This was not the place for that discussion.

Hannah's stomach sank as the implication settled over her. Her suspicion proved correct-Brixton wasn't interested in Vincent's fortune at all. She couldn't stop herself from wondering what Brixton really wanted from Vincent. Possibilities raced through her mind one after another, leaving her unsettled.

Scorpio bit his lip, forcing down his agitation before speaking, trying to persuade Brixton using another angle. "Alright, let's set Vincent aside for the moment. Mr. Ward, I believe you're giving Hannah far too much weight. She's just an ordinary woman.Sure, she's attractive, but the world isn't short on beautiful women. I don't see why you prize her so highly.Are you actually thinking of marrying her?"

Brixton's icy stare pinned Scorpio in place, his presence alone enough to make the air heavy. "Did I give you permission to meddle in my affairs? Step back."

"Mr. Ward!" Scorpio's protest came sharp, almost pleading.

"| said step back." Brixton's words were quiet yet incisive, wielding a powerful authority that permitted no resistance.

Scorpio's chest rose and fell in quick bursts before he finally swallowed his anger, clamping his jaw shut.He shot Hannah a venomous glare and then reluctantly withdrew to the edge of the gathering.

Brixton's focus slid back to Hannah. He leaned forward, his shadow falling across her face, his tone deceptively calm. "Do you agree to be my woman?"

A bitter laugh threatened to escape Hannah's throat.As if she really had a choice. Brixton never cared for consent-only for power, for control, for the assurance that those around him would bow without question.

Brixton didn't really want to hear her answer. Before a single word left her lips, he straightened to his full height, his tone clipped and absolute. "You don't have to answer. Like it or not, on this yacht,you belong to me."

He turned toward the men gathered in the hall and made a dismissive wave. "That's all I havé to say.Clear out, all of you. If you have any objections,keep them to yourselves!"

The place fell utterly silent under the weight of his words. No one dared to challenge him. They traded looks before filing out of the hall one after another.

Hannah was almost at the doorway when Brixton's voice cut through the quiet, firm and cold. "Scorpio,stay."