Chapter 612

"You admit I'm pretty," Hannah said, her smile blooming brighter, like a flame catching the wind.

"You're impossible," Vincent muttered, turning his face aside-yet the faint flush at his ears betrayed him.

Just then, a knock sounded at the office door.

Derek stepped in, half his frame still outside. "Mr. Jones, the car is waiting downstairs-"

He froze mid-sentence, his words strangled as his eyes fell upon Hannah and Vincent, their closeness far too telling.

Derek's heart gave a lurch. Had he stumbled in at precisely the wrong time?

Vincent quickly pushed Hannah's arm away, his voice clipped and cold."Okay."

Hannah stepped back with her smile intact. She said lightly to Vincent, "I'll be leaving too. See you,Mr.Jones."

She turned toward the door, but as she passed Derek, who stood stiff as a post, she halted. Slipping a small item from her pocket, she tucked it neatly into the breast pocket of his suit. With a gentle pat, she added,"Derek, you've worked hard today. Take this with you-it may come in handy."

The gesture was swift, unforced, and she vanished with a smile still curving her lips.

Vincent, watching from his spot, took in Hannah's familiar gesture with Derek. All trace of warmth he had felt from her kiss evaporated. In its place rose irritation, sharp and consuming. This woman seemed to scatter her charms like breadcrumbs before every man she crossed paths with. Utterly shameless. His opinion of Hannah plummeted, sinking to rock bottom.

The car slid smoothly into the night, silence pooling in the cabin.

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Vincent leaned back, brow knitted tight and eyes closed, the slight queasiness in his stomach adding to his agitation.

From the front seat, Derek caught Vincent's stern profile in the rearview mirror. After a pause, he fished out a box of medicine from his pocket and handed it over.′′M1r.Jones, your stomach isn't well, is it? This should help ease it."

Vincent opened his eyes, glancing at the box without reaching for it. His tone was flat as stone. "You prepared this?"

Derek chuckled faintly, answering with candor, "I can't claim that much foresight. Ms. Scott handed it to me earlier. She just messaged me-said you hadn't eaten dinner, you were staying up late, and would probably get stomach pains. She wanted me to give this to you."

Vincent's gaze lingered on the medicine, recalling the fleeting moment at the doorway.′′SO,that's what she slipped you just now?"

"Yes, Mr. Jones." Derek nodded, studying Vincent's expression with care.

As Vincent's features grew darker, Derek's mind sparked with a reckless thought that leapt out of his mouth."Mr. Jones, were you jealous?" He had assumed Vincent's irritation stemmed from Hannah giving him something.

Vincent's eyes turned glacial, a clear warning lacing his voice. "Derek, you've always seemed to know your place."

Derek's heart jumped; he realized he had crossed the line. He hurried to apologize. "Forgive me, Mr. Jones, I spoke out of turn! I forgot-you're still dealing with amnesia, and you don't even like Ms. Scott now."

Vincent caught onto the underlying message, his frown deepening. "I used to like her?"

The thought seemed almost absurd. He found it difficult to imagine himself harboring feelings toward such a woman.

Derek answered earnestly, his voice carrying emotion, "More than just like, Mr. Jones-you were utterly taken with her. Even after the divorce, you wouldn't let go. You chased after her and refused to give up. It

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was truly-"

"Enough!" Vincent cut in, his tone slicing the air. His face darkened even further. "I don't want the details."The picture Derek painted-a man so humbled and desperate-felt alien, almost repulsive. That could not have been him.

Derek shut his mouth instantly, not daring another word.

The car slipped back into silence.

After a long pause, Derek ventured cautiously,′′M.. Jones, shall we return to Sterling Heights?"

"Sterling Heights?" Vincent echoed, the name stirring not even the faintest memory.