Chapter 570

"A banquet for important guests," Kayce explained with measured precision. "It's about carving up the spoils.Tell me-does that sound important enough?"

When fortunes shifted hands, astronomical sums flowed like rivers, and those treacherous waters bred the fiercest conflicts.

Hannah's pulse quickened as understanding crystallized. "For a banquet of this caliber, Brixton needs a woman at his side, doesn't he? Just to project power and social standing."

Kayce's stare on her intensified, shadows flickering behind his eyes. "No woman has ever graced his side at formal gatherings. You've broken unprecedented ground as his acknowledged companion."

A harsh laugh escaped Hannah's throat. "Strange how you make it sound like some coveted prize."

"I'm delivering cold reality." Kayce's words cut like winter wind. "An unsolicited advice? Don't let the illusion of being Brixton's chosen one cloud your judgment. His world revolves around profit margins;women exist as ornaments or instruments."

"I understand." Hannah's voice rang with steely resolve. "From the moment I was dragged aboard this floating prison, my goal never wavered.Freedom. Complete escape back to the life stolen from me. Everything happening here, including Brixton's so-called privileges, boils down to calculated survival, not romance."

Something shifted in Kayce's expression as he regarded her. "You're nothing like the other women trapped on this vessel."

Hannah's head tilted with philosophical calm. "That comparison isn't fair, Kayce. Circumstances shape survival strategies. What you might judge as weakness represents their best attempt at staying alive." Luna's face materialized in her thoughts. "TakeLuna-she understands exactly what she needs.Protection from powerful men. Her mistake was targeting the wrong rival with clumsy tactics."

Surprise flickered across Kayce's features. "No bitterness toward her for giving you trouble?"

"None whatsoever." Hannah's tone held unwavering certainty. "We're just in different positions." Her eyes suddenly sharpened with suspicion. "Wait-how do you know Luna gave me trouble?"

Meaningful intensity danced across Kayce's face as his hands worked the ingredients with fluid precision."Information flows freely on this ship when you know the right channels."

Cold dread prickled Hannah's skin, though her thoughts remained fixed on the approaching "money-splitting" banquet. Her mind churned through possibilities-would Brixton demand her presence? Even without the companion role, he might insist she handle the banquet preparations as his "personal chef." Those gatherings where interests got divided always turned volatile when someone felt shortchanged. If tensions exploded into open conflict, she could fan those flames into full chaos. During that mayhem,she and her allies might finally break free with every woman imprisoned on the second deck.

The days that followed saw Hannah and Aanya's relationship blossom into something unexpectedly deep.

Aanya's apparently pure spirit, fearless loyálty, and protective instincts stirred feelings Hannah thought she'd buried forever.

Several times,when Aanya threw herself into harm's way to confront those troublesome dealers,Hannah's heart nearly cracked open enough to spill her secrets. But each time, at that crucial moment,Kayce's arctic warning sliced through her thoughts -"Trust no one, not even me."

In the end, Hannah said nothing, instead showering Aanya with increased affection while shielding her more fiercely from Luna's vindictive circle. Out of this protective instinct and to spend more time with Aanya, Hannah summoned her nerve to face Brixton. "Could Aanya possibly join me in the kitchen? She'd help prepare your meals. She has quick hands and is quite attentive."

This marked Hannah's first plea since being branded Brixton's possession.

Brixton lounged back, fingers drumming a lazy rhythm against polished wood while his predatory gaze dissected Hannah's expression. Eventually,calculating that having his own spy monitor her movements might prove useful, he casually nodded with a faint smile."Sure."

Hannah's breath caught before pure elation transformed her features. "Truly? Thank you!"

She swept Aanya into a fierce embrace.

Aanya squeezed back with bubbling excitement.

"Thank you,Hannah!"

Brixton found himself studying Hannah's radiant expression, something shifting behind his eyes.Rarely had he witnessed her unguarded like this-no forced calm or strategic obedience, just raw,unfiltered happiness. And just over something so insignificant? His voice cut through their excitement."This small thing makes you glow like that?"

Hannah reined in her smile slightly, though her eyes and expression still sparkled with residual joy. "Yes,thank you."

Brixton studied her face, and then his voice dropped to something more possessive. "No need to thank me. Since you're already my woman, you can ask me for anything."

His words dangled like bait, yet the underlying threat of ownership made her skin crawl.

Hannah felt ice creep up her spine and refused to take that conversation further, simply dropping her gaze. "If there's nothing else, I'll go prepare dinner."

"Wait!" Brixton's command stopped her mid-step."I'm not in a good mood. Tell me a joke to lift my spirits."

Hannah widened her eyes in surprise. How could he possibly feel sour? Didn't he just laugh a moment ago?