Chapter 590

Hudson lifted his hand with sudden force, and the guards at his back reacted instantly, their weapons drawn in unison, every barrel locking onto Brixton and the loyal men flanking him.

Almost at the same heartbeat, Vulture and his subordinates mirrored the gesture, steel gleaming in their grip as they braced for a violent clash.

The air thickened, charged with peril, the entire hall teetering on the brink of erupting into bloodshed.

Even under the menace of countless muzzles aimed at him, Brixton's composure never faltered. A faint,almost taunting smile curved his lips.′′Mrr. Chadwick, why escalate this into ruin? There's still room for discussion between us. After all..."

He paused deliberately, savoring the silence before dropping his barb."Your treasured daughter is currently a guest on my ship. Wouldn't you like to see her first?"

Hudson's face blanched and then contorted with fury."What? What vile thing have you done to my daughter?"

Brixton, satisfied by the eruption of fear and concern, lifted his hands in mock reassurance. "Calm yourself.She's safe. My men are looking after her well. But..."

His words grew icy, every syllable a threat. "Should you give the order to fire, I cannot assure her safety will last another breath."

Hudson's chest heaved with contained rage. "Hand my daughter over this instant!"

From the side, Hannah's pulse quickened, dread clawing at her. By now, Aanya should have already emerged, just as her plan dictated. Her anxious gaze swept the hall-no trace of Aanya.

At that precise moment, Vulture, his jaw set, leaned close to Brixton and hissed under his breath, "Mr. Ward,we've got a problem. Aanya's gone! She vanished from the bathroom!" The mask of calm shattered on Brixton's face, replaced with a storm-dark scowl. The single card that gave him leverage was snatched away at the critical instant.

Hudson's eyes, sharp as blades, caught the shift in Brixton's and Vulture's expressions. His voice cracked like a whip. "Where is my daughter? Where have you hidden her?"

Just then, a steady, commanding voice rolled through the grand hall from the doorway. "Mr. Chadwick,there's no need to search."

Every gaze snapped toward the entrance.

Vincent appeared at the doorway, advancing with deliberate steps, surrounded by a cordon of elite guards whose disciplined presence drew the room into his orbit. His voice carried calm authority."Your daughter is with me."

The delicate deadlock shattered in an instant with Vincent's arrival.

Hudson's shoulders sagged with a heavy breath of relief as he beheld Vincent.

In the days before, after Hannah's discreet message reached him, Vincent had mobilized every thread of his influence and intelligence to contact Hudson.

After careful probing and verification, Vincent had revealed to Hudson that Aanya was in Brixton's hands.

Though Hudson had carved a career as a ruthless statesman, Aanya, the only daughter he cherished above all, was his single soft spot. Believing her safely studying overseas, he had never conceived of her being caught in Brixton's hands.

Seizing the opportunity, Vincent had proposed a plan during a secret meeting with Hudson the day before the banquet. He'd urged Hudson to feign greed at the banquet and demand greater shares, deliberately provoking Brixton and creating chaos.

In return, Vincent had pledged every resource at his disposal to reclaim Aanya that very day.

Hudson, though burning with desperation to save his daughter, had tempered his response with political caution. He'd accepted, but imposed one stipulation. "I'll play my role, Mr. Jones. But once this ordeal concludes,you must promise me something. We'll settle details later."

Believing it to be a future negotiation of influence or wealth, Vincent had accepted without hesitation.

Vincent's deal with Hudson leaned heavily on unshakable trust in Hannah's ingenuity. He was certain she would contrive an opening to free Aanya amid the banquet's storm. Thus, he had his operatives hidden in the shadows near the Odin, weapons ready, their vigilance unwavering for the moment of Aanya's escape.

And events had unfolded precisely as Vincent had expected. With Hannah's calculated maneuvering, Aanya had slipped free from the bathroom. Once she reached the deck, Vincent's concealed team intercepted her at once. Within moments, she was spirited away under guard to Vincent's vessel, beyond Brixton's reach.

Now, hearing Vincent's declaration and seeing him step forth, Hannah pieced together the entire plan in a flash.

Brixton's eyes narrowed at the sight of Vincent, his brow knotted in displeasure. His scheduled talks with Vincent regarding the port were meant for the following day. His tone dripped with ice as he spat, "Mr.Jones, you're ahead of schedule. Our negotiations aren't until tomorrow."

Vincent met his glare with unflinching serenity. "I haven't got the day wrong. As for the port trade rights,hear me clearly-I refuse them. I will never strike a deal with you."

Brixton's expression soured into venomous rage. He saw instantly that Vincent's appearance was no accident of timing. His gaze flicked toward Hannah, his voice cutting like a blade. "Vulture, take her!"

Vulture lunged at Hannah without pause, his body a blur of violence.

But Hannah was braced for this very strike, having been on high alert. The moment Vulture's hand extended, she slipped aside, fluid as water.

With precise judo technique, Hannah twisted his momentum, redirecting his force and sending him staggering forward in a clumsy stumble. Without hesitation, she spun away and sprinted toward Vincent.

Vincent extended an arm with quiet protectiveness, drawing her safely behind him.

In that instant, Hannah stood beyond harm's reach.