Chapter 646

Seizing the moment, Hannah called for a high-level meeting. Her tone carried both steel and authority as she sharply rebuked those hostile executives for their carelessremarks and indecisive conduct during the crisis. Punishments followed swiftly--salary deductions and temporary suspensions to reflect on their actions.

The storm of internal mistrust was, at last, brought to calm waters.

After setting things right, Hannah leaned back in her chair and pressed her fingers against her temples,feeling the weight of the day lift just slightly.

After a brief pause, she picked up her phone.Hesitation lingered for a heartbeat before she finally sent a message to Vincent. "The case is closed.Everything went smoothly. Do you want to have dinner together tonight?" She waited for what felt like an eternity, but the screen remained dark and silent-no reply came.

By the timne the clock struck the end of the workday,the message was still unanswered.

Perplexed, Hannah considered calling Derek to ask whether Vincent was tied up with work. But before she could, a notification flashed across her phone.

The headline was impossible to miss- "Exclusive:Famed Financier Vera Oliver Returns, Met by Vincent of Jones Group."

The caption below read, "Their manner seemed almost intimate, stirring whispers of a relationship."

Attached was a photograph taken at the airport-Vincent walking side by side with a woman dressed in a crisp, tailored suit. The camera angle made the two appear much closer than they probably were.

Hannah's grip tightened slightly around her phone,her expression unreadable. Was that a smile on Vincent's face? ******

Meanwhile, in the bustling arrivals hall of the international terminal, Vincent was indeed meeting Vera, his high school classmate. His memories of her were faint, like an old photograph left too long in the sun.

Their families had shared long-standing ties, yet the Oliver family had emigrated years ago, and contact had faded with time.

Vincent hadn't come to pick Vera up. He'd merely reached here to see off an important overseas client.But then, Danica had called, asking him to pick up Vera,who had just returned to the country.

The presence of media photographers at the airport was no coincidence. It had been arranged by Danica herself, clearly hoping to pair the two together.

Vera, pushing her luggage cart, approached Vincent with a teasing gleam in her eyes. "Vincent, it's been ages! You've grown even more dashing-and that commanding aura of yours hasn't faded one bit!" Her enthusiasm made Vincent uneasy. He merely nodded, polite but distant. All he wanted was to leave quickly.

Taking out his phone, Vincent began calling his driver while asking her in a measured tone, "Have you arranged somewhere to stay? I can have my driver take you there."

That was when he noticed Hannah's message inviting him to dinner. Almost without realizing it, a faint smile tugged at his lips-an unguarded softness rare for him.

Vera, watching him closely, caught it instantly. "Hey,what's got you smiling like that? Didn't even hear what I said!" she teased,leaning in with curiosity.

Vincent's poker face returned in an instant. He locked his phone and took a small step back, his tone cool and detached. "Miss Oliver," he said evenly,"you're overstepping."

Vera pouted, half in jest. "You're still the same as before-so cold! What's wrong with taking a peek?" Vincent ignored her, brushing aside the odd flicker of warmth that Hannah's message had sparked. He quickly typed a brief reply. "Busy."

Then, glancing at Vera, he asked,this time with clear impatience, "Which hotel are you staying at? I'll have the driver take you."

Vera's cheerful expression dimmed slightly as she stomped her foot in frustration. "I've told you several times! You weren't even listening. I haven't picked a place yet-and I'm not planning to stay in a hotel.Danica said I could stay at your family house." She took a step closer, eyes bright with mischief."You don't mind, do you?"

Vincent frowned faintly. The idea of a near-stranger staying under his roof didn't sit well with him, but arguing about it seemed pointless. Without further discussion, he turned to leave, saying only, "Hmm.Let's go back."

Vera tilted her head, watching him walk away,her thoughts spinning. Did that "hmm" mean yes or no?"Well,it hardly mattered. As long as she set foot in the Jones family house, she'd already gained a foothold.Vincent wouldn't turn her away, not in front of Danica. After all, both Danica and Sharon had adored her back in the day.

Soon, the car rolled into the Jones estate.

True to form, Danica was waiting eagerly outside.The moment she spotted Vera, she rushed forward with arms open. "Vera! You're finally back! I missed you so much!" she exclaimed.

Vera embraced Danica warmly, her voice syrupy and honeyed. "Danica, I missed you too! But most of all,I missed your cooking-it's still my favorite memory from home."

As a child with parents too busy to linger at home,Vera had often eaten her meals at the Jones household.

Now, slipping her arm through Danica's, Vera walked inside as if she were returning to her own house.

When they passed Vincent, Vera gave her suitcase a casual push toward him. "Vincent, I'll leave my luggage to you!" she said airily, flashing a charming smile before turning back.

Vincent paused, his gaze catching the curve of her backward glance. For a fleeting second, something stirred in his memory-an elusive sense of déjà vu that he couldn't quite place.