Chapter 613

Derek suddenly remembered that Vincent's memories were stillfractured, and he hastily clarified, "Ah, that apartment in Sterling Heights was the one you purchased so you could pursue Ms. Scott more easily. It's directly beneath hers."

A shadow crossed Vincent's expression, the shift in his demeanor instant and chilling. "Take me back to the Jones estate," he commanded curtly.

"Yes!" Derek replied at once, his voice tight with nerves as he swerved the car around without another word.

By the time the vehicle glided through the grand iron gates of the Jones estate, it was already the wee hours.

When Vincent stepped through the familiar doorway, a strange calm descended upon him-an unspoken recognition stirring deep within, dulling the restlessness caused by his amnesia.

Once Vincent was settled, Derek lingered instead of leaving. He slipped into the kitchen and returned moments later with a bowl of steaming porridge, its faint aroma mild and comforting. "Mr. Jones, you skipped dinner, and your stomach's been acting up again. This will be gentle on it."

Vincent looked at the bowl but didn't reach for it. His gaze lifted, cool and probing. "Did Hannah tell you to do this?"

Derek's grin was unguarded. "Yes, Ms. Scott was worried sick. She even messaged me to make sure you got home safely. Once she learned you were at your family residence, she walked me through the recipe herself-every detail, even the timing and spice."

Vincent let out a brief, derisive exhale. "That wasn't necessary."

Seeing his indifference, Derek made a show of taking the porridge away.′′A|lright then, Mr. Jones. I'll take this back and let you rest,"

But before Derek could move another step, Vincent's voice-low and cold-cut through the quiet."Leave it."

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A smile tugged at Derek's lips. He quickly replaced the bowl on the table."◯f course. Take your time. I'll see myself out."

Vincent said nothing further, and Derek wisely slipped from the room.

For a long moment, Vincent simply stared at the porridge as if studying a memory buried somewhere inside it. Eventually, he lifted the spoon and ate in silence. By the time the bowl was empty, the unease in his stomach had eased.

The next morning, Vincent descended to the breakfast room.

Sharon and Danica both froze, stunned at the sight of him back in the estate as if time had rolled backward.

Sharon immediately set her utensils aside, her tone trembling with a mix of relief and reproach. "Where on earth have you been for the past two months? Your phone was dead, you ignored every message-were you trying to give me a heart attack from worry?"

Vincent moved forward and gently helped his grandmother to sit, his tone measured but soft. "Grandma, I'm sorry. I was overseas dealing with urgent matters. It all came up suddenly, and I didn't have a moment to reach out."

Danica, sounding concerned, chimed in,"Vincent, you were out of touch for so long. Everyone was worried."Though their bond was strained, her motherly concern still flickered beneath the surface.

When Vincent finally took his seat, his face grew serious. "There's something important I need to tell you both."

A tense glance passed between Danica and Sharon.

Danica's heartbeat quickened, dread tightening in her chest. "What could possibly be that serious? Don't tell me you're thinking of remarrying that Hannah." The thought alone made her blood run cold.

Vincent's brows drew together instantly, his answer sharp and sure. "No. This has nothing to do with her."

Danica exhaled, visibly relieved. In her mind, Hannah had always been the cause of every fracture between her and Vincent.

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Sharon, on the other hand, looked fainty disheartened but still asked, "Then what is this matter you want to talk about?"

Vincent's voice was even, his gaze unwavering."While I was abroad, I had an accident. I suffered a head injury. The doctors say I have selective amnesia-l've lost roughly eight years of memory."

"What?

Amnesia?"

The words tumbled out together, both women's disbelief mirrored in each other's eyes.

Sharon's face crumpled with concern. "What did the doctors say, Vincent? Is it dangerous? Does it interfere with your daily life? Will your memories ever come back?" Her only focus was his wellbeing.

Vincent reached across the table and gave her hand a light squeeze, his voice calm. "Don't worry, Grandma.It doesn't affect my day-to-day life. I can still work and handle business as usual. The doctors said the memories might resurface slowly, but there's no guarantee-they could be gone forever."

Sharon's eyes glistened with sorrow, worry etched deep in every line of her face.

Meanwhile, Danica's mind was already whirring behind her composed expression. Eight years erased... That meant Vincent had forgotten his marriage to Hannah entirely-and the reckless things he'd done afterward,just trying to reclaim her after their divorce...

Danica felt a spark of triumph flicker quietly within her. This could be the perfect chance she'd been waiting for.