Chapter 610

Hannah slipped out of the conference room, closing the door with quiet care. It was time to return to Luminara Group. Months away had left the company with its own thicket of challenges, waiting like unattended fires for her hand to tame.

Upon her arrival, she discovered that in her absence, the company had announced she was abroad for advanced studies.

Thus, her early reappearance surprised many employees, though it stirred no great commotion. They greeted her with courtesy, and she offered no explanations, instead plunging headlong into the stream of work.

Hannah convened a brief meeting with the company's core members-chief among them Adrian, the vice chairman-so she could swiftly gather an overview of key projects.

Thankfully, Adrian's keen mind and steady hand had kept the machinery running with precision, ensuring every venture moved forward in good order.

Hannah then immersed herself in the tasks at hand, the entire day consumed with clearing the mountain of documents and concluding decisions on vital projects.

Only after work hours did she allow herself a moment of pause.

Almost without thinking, her gaze fell to her phone. No messages from Vincent.

Instead,Claude, somehow aware of her return, had sent several texts filled with concern.

Hannah frowned, brushed them aside, and chose not to reply.

After a brief pause, she called Derek. "Derek, is Vincent still at the company?"

"Yes, Ms. Scott. Mr. Jones remnains in his office. He shows no sign of leaving," Derek answered, his voice weary.

"Has he eaten yet?"she asked.

"Not at all. I've tried to persuade him several times, bout he insists he'll eat only when the work is done,"Derek replied.

"I see." Hannah ended the call and drove directly to Vincent's favored restaurant. She chose several of his favorite dishes, gentle on the stomach, and brought them herself to Jones Group.

When she reached the CEO's office, Vincent was in the middle of a meeting with several executives.

Not wishing to interrupt, Hannah waited outside, food in hand. Through theglass,she saw his sharp profile,eyes fixed on the discussion, utterly unaware of her presence.

Minutes stretched, until the clock struck eight.

At last, deciding enough was enough, Hannah knocked.

The door opened, and she stepped in, slicing into the rhythm of the meeting. All heads turned toward her.

Vincent's brows knotted in displeasure. "Who told you to come here?" he asked, his tone like cold steel.

Ignoring the chill in his words, Hannah crossed to the table. "It's already eight. You should eat."

"Continue with the meeting," Vincent instructed; eyes never leaving the screen. His dismissal was as deliberate as it was cutting.

Hannah stepped closer, her voice low. "Vincent, you must eat. Your stomach is not strong. The doctor warned you-meals must be on time."

Yet, he acted as though she had spoken into the wind, his focus rooted in a project's risk assessment.

The executives exchanged glances, hunger gnawing at them, but none dared to speak.

Watching Vincent ignore her so completely, Hannah felt her patience fray. She fixed him with a steady gaze."Are you truly not going to eat?"

"No," Vincent replied flatly, a note of impatience tightening his voice as his eyes stayed buried in the documents.

Hannah said nothing more, only stood and watched him, her silence carrying weight.

Derek, sensing the shift in the air, felt a chill crawl across his back. He dared not break it.

The meeting paused for a brief recess.

But Vincent made no move to rest; instead, he picked up another document and pressed on, relentless as ever.

At last, Derek tried, "Mr. Jones, perhaps you should-"

Before he could finish, Hannah acted. With a sharp snap, she opened the food boxes. Turning to the executives, she announced, "You've worked long and hard. This meeting has stretched late, and you must be hungry. Please, have something to eat."

The executives froze, caught between temptation and terror, the aroma of the meal filling the room while Vincent's expression darkened further.

"Ms. Scott, isn't this meant for Mr. Jones?" one brave executive ventured.

"He refuses to eat," Hannah replied evenly. "But food should never be wasted. You labor day and night for this company; you shouldn't be left starving. Derek, you as well-come and eat."

Derek's eyes darted nervously between Hannah and Vincent. His voice trembled as he asked, "Mr. Jones,may l..."

Vincent glanced over, his gaze sharp and cold."Go."

As though pardoned, Derek hurried forward and began to eat.

At the sight, the executives could no longer suppress their hunger and gathered around the table,expressing their thanks to Hannah repeatedly.

"There's no need to thank me," Hannah said softly. "You should thank Mr. Jones. The meal was meant for him, but since he won't eat..."

Her words trailed, her eyes settling on Vincent, carrying both tenderness and unspoken reproach.