Chapter 636

Hannah's instincts kicked in at once, her face softening into a practiced warmth. With effortless grace, she approached Sharon and slipped her arm through Sharon's, her voice brimming with affection."Sharon! What a lovely surprise! I've missed you so much-it's been ages!"

Sharon's entire face brightened at the sight of Hannah.She drew Hannah into a cheerful embrace her tone both teasing and fond. "My dear Anna, I've missed you terribly! You've been back for so long,yet you never once thought to visit me!"

As Sharon laughed, her eyes wandered curiously around the room until they landed on Vincent,standing a short distance away. A satisfied gleam flashed in her gaze. The setting, the closeness-it all confirmed her happy suspicion that something more might be blossoming between Vincent and Hannah.

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Hannah responded in a sweet, apologetic tone, her smile perfectly measured, "Sharon, things have been quite chaotic at the company lately. But once everything settles, I swear I'll come to your place,and we'll talk for hours like before."

Sharon chuckled, tapping Hannah's nose affectionately. "You'd better mean that. I won't accept pretty words as payment this time."

The two women fell into lively chatter, their warmth drawing the spotlight entirely to themselves while Fred and Arthur stood awkwardly in the background,forgotten.

Unable to endure the exclusion any longer, Fred stepped forward, breaking the easy flow of conversation. "Mrs. Jones," he began nervously, "my father fetched you today because he has something urgent he needs your help with."

Sharon blinked, puzzled, and turned her attention back to Arthur. "Arthur, what's so urgent? You didn't mention any of this on the phone. I thought we were just having a friendly lunch to catch up."

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Sensing an opportunity, Hannah quickly guided Sharon to a seat beside Vincent, her movements graceful but deliberate-an elegant maneuver that neatly separated Sharon from the Griffins.

Arthur straightened his spine as Sharon settled into the chair, his confidence rekindled by her presence.His tone, however, carried a hard edge. "Sharon, you should ask your precious grandson what he's done.His behavior has gone far beyond disrespect-he's crossed every line imaginable! He's driving the Griffin family to ruin!"

The harshness in his voice only deepened Hannah's quiet revuulsion.

Sharon's brows knitted in confusion as she turned toward her grandson. "Vincent, what's going on here? Have you and Arthur had some sort of misunderstanding?"

Vincent's expression was carved from ice. He didn't even look in Arthur's direction. His words were calm but cold. "Grandma, it's nothing important-just some people stirring up trouble. The atmosphere

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here isn't good for you. I'll have Derek take you home."

He had no desire to let Sharon witness the ugliness of the situation-or the truth behind it.

At his quiet command, Derek stepped forward instantly. "Mrs. Jones, please follow me."

Derek knew well howN fiercely Vincent guarded Sharon's peace of mind. He'd even hidden the news of Erica's death to protect her frail health. What Arthur and his son had done today was nothing short of suicidal-they'd struck the one nerve Vincent would never allow anyone to touch.

When Fred saw Derek preparing to escort Sharon away, panic overtook him. His voice cracked as he pleaded, "Mrs. Jones, please don't leave! If you go now, the Griffin family is doomed! Dad, say something-explain everything to her!"

Sharon's face hardened at his desperation. She brushed aside Derek's assisting hand and demanded, "Enough! Someone had better start

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explaining.Vincent-talk to me!"

Arthur realized this was his last chance and immediately put on an aggrieved expression, his voice trembling with emotional weight. "Sharon,we've known each other for decades. I've always treated the Jones family generously. Whenever there's a good business opportunity, haven't I always thought of the Jones family first? But your grandson -he's turned on us completely. Not only does he forget old friendships, but he's also relentlessly pressing the Griffin family."

Tears welled in his eyes as he continued, his words spilling out in exaggerated emotions, "I've been suspended from my position without warning. Now,I'm under investigation. Griffin Group's shares are being bought out by hostile forces. Bankruptcy is right at our doorstep. Even our relatives working in government have been suspended for investigation and pushed aside. AIl of it-every bit of it-was orchestrated by Vincent. Tell me, Sharon, isn't that too cruel? How could he destroy us like this?"