Chapter 595

Hudson's eyes flickered, betraying a momentary crack in his calm, yet he forced a scoffing laugh. "Don't be absurd, Ms. Scott! Accusations without proof are worth less than dust. Tell me then, what evidence do you have to tie me to that decrepit ship?"

"Evidence?" Hannah's lips curved into a cold sneer."I've already sent people to investigate. The Odin is now firmly in your grasp. Every guard on board has been replaced by your men. Even now, the ship is being redecorated, polished like a stage before its grandopening. Tonight, it is set to welcome business. Tell me I'm wrong, Mr. Chadwick."

Hudson's smile wavered and then vanished like mist in sunlight. For a few long seconds, silence weighed heavy between them. When he finally spoke, his voice cut like steel. "I see l've underestimated you.Vincent's woman is far from just a pretty face. But tell me-did you march in here merely to cast stones at me?"

"Of course not!" Hannah's voice rang sharp, like a blade striking flint. "If this were only about seizing a casino ship, I might dismiss you as just another greedy official. But this-" She slammed a small wrapped object onto the desk. "This bullet exposes you for what you are: a ruthless villain."

Her tone carried no tremor. "This bullet was extracted from Vincent's back. During last night's chaos, I thought Brixton's men had fired the shot. I even suspected the shot had been meant for me. But when l studied it carefully, the truth became clear. Its design proves it was no stray-this was aimed squarely at Vincent. And the shooter wasn't Brixton's man."

Her gaze sharpened, her words deliberate.

Hudson's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a dangerous hush. "If not Brixton, then who? Are you pointing that finger at me? Careful, Ms. Scott. Vincent and I are partners. Why would I ever raise a gun to him?"

"It was you!" Hannah's reply was firm, her stare unwavering. "This bullet is no ordinary round-it's custom-made. Brixton's people don't use this type, nor do Vincent's bodyguards. That leaves your men as the most likely culprits. Vincent holds something you covet-the trade rights at Agosphia's port. You knew he'd never hand them over willingly, so you hatched a scheme. First, you feigned alliance, borrowing his strength to crush Brixton. Then, in the turmoil, you struck, wounding Vincent gravely. And afterward, you tried to mask your snare as mercy, pressing to send him to a hospital of your choosing!"

Her words poured like rapid fire, precise and relentless. "You didn't push for Agosphia's hospital because it was the best option-you pushed for it because it was your domain, where every corridor answers to you.Here,you could keep Vincent's loyal guards at bay with one excuse after another, leaving him isolated. That wasn't treatment-it was captivity. You meant to chain him with weakness until he yielded the port rights.Am I right?"

The office sank into a silence so deep that it rang louder than thunder.

Hudson's mask of civility crumbled. Slowly, he began to clap. "Remarkable. Absolutely remarkable! Hannah,you're sharper than l imagined. You've nearly pieced the puzzle together."

Indeed, her guess was right-Vincent's trade rights were the treasure Hudson sought.

"The port of Agosphia belongs to my country," Hudson said, voice rising with conviction. "If not for Vincent's wealth, he never would have touched those trade rights. But I confess-l misjudged him. He proved shrewder than I thought, profiting well from what should never have been his. Naturally, I intend to reclaim the trade rights for my country."

His expression shifted, voice hardening with zeal. "I had thought of playing the long game-letting you stay at his side, watching him sink into despair, perhaps even coaxing him to yield willingly. But now?" He gave a dismissive laugh. "That won't be necessary. You're too clever by half. Keeping you close would be a danger don't intend to court."

His eyes swept over her with an unsettling leisure, as if she were something to be appraised."Still,you are striking. I've heard you once dealt cards with remarkable skill on Brixton's casino ship. Why not trade up and work for me on mine? I'Il offer you terms that make Brixton's look pitiful."

As he spoke, his hand drifted toward the call button on his desk, ready to summon his guards.

But Hannah did not recoil. She did not even flinch. Instead, she leaned forward, closing the distance, her gaze locking his with unnerving calm. Her words came soft but carried the weight of a final trump card.′′Are you sure?"

The steadiness in her voice struck like a paradox-quiet, yet thunderous; calm, yet dangerous.

Hudson froze, his hand suspended in mid-air.