Chapter 45

"Drop this whole thing?" Hannah snapped her laptop shut. "Not a chance. Whatever happens between you and Brinley is none of my business. But after what she did, twisting the facts and dragging my name through the mud, I'm taking this as far as it needs to go. If it calls for prosecution, then so be it."

Vincent worked at the knot of his tie, his eyes cool. "I'll make it up to you. You've been eyeing my mother's properties, right? I'll get them for you. I don't care how many units you want."

A short, dry laugh slipped from Hannah. "How generous of you."

She had to admit Brinley really was Vincent's irreplaceable first love-no amount of money was too much if it meant protecting her.

With arms crossed, Hannah shook her head. "I'm not interested in money or those properties."

Vincent's frown deepened as her refusal hung in the air. "My mind's made up," he said, his words leaving no room for argument. "I'll have the charges withdrawn in your name."

"Don't you dare!" Hannah hadn't expected him to be so high-handed about it.

"I have .Derek handle it. This ends now." With that, Vincent turned and left.

But Hannah had no intention of letting it slide. She compiled all the evidence and submitted it directly to the court.

Not long after, Brinley, still lying in a hospital bed, received the court's official summons. All color drained from her face, shock written plainly in her eyes.

Danica breezed in right then to check on her. Seeing Brinley's stricken look, she hurried to the bedside."Brinley, are you feeling worse? Is your heart acting up?"

Trembling,Brinley held out the paper, tears smudging the ink. "Mrs. Jones, look what Hannah's done. She's determined to ruin me."

Outrage flashed across Danica's face. "She's actually suing you? She has no shame!"

Determined to help, Danica flattened the court summons on the table and reached for her phone. "Give me a second. I'll send this to Vincent right away. He needs to know how Hannah's treating you."

Masking her glee, Brinley pressed her lips together. "Maybe we shouldn't let Vincent know about this."

"You always take the gentle route, Brinley. Sometimes I wish you wouldn't," Danica said.

A moment later, Danica tapped her phone, sending the snapshot of the court summons straight to Vincent.

Brinley felt a rush of satisfaction-just a few tears and a few words, and someone was already fighting for her.

Vincent's call came through almost at once.

With a slight smile, Danica tilted the phone so Brinley could see. "Look at that. He called the second he saw the message."

Happiness crept across Brinley's face.

Without missing a beat, Danica picked up. Vincent's voice carried through the speaker. "How's Brinley doing?"

Danica wasted no time. "Here, you can speak to her yourseIf," she said, passing the phone to Brinley.

Brinley took the phone without hesitation.

His concern was obvious as he asked, "Is your heart still hurting?"

"Not anymore," Brinley answered instantly. "I just got that court summons, and it rattled me a little."

"Leave it to me. I'll take care of everything," Vincent remarked, his tone gentle.

"Thank you, Vincent," she replied softly.

Meanwhile, at the Jones Group headquarters, Vincent hung up and instantly dialed Hannah's number.

This time, she picked up almost instantly.

"She's gotten the court summons, I take it?" Hannah's voice was almost breezy.

"Areyou really going through with this lawsuit?" Vincent asked.

Her answer didn't waver. "I am." After a pause, Vincent finally spoke, quieter this time. "Brinley's health isn't good. She's got a heart condition."

For a moment, silence stretched between them before Hannah found her voice again. "Vincent, if being sick was all it took to avoid facing the consequences, this world wouldn't be able to uphold justice. She dragged my name through the dirt first-don't I get to defend myself? Her health isn't my responsibility. Just because she's fragile doesn't mean I owe her mercy. If you're hoping I'll let it go out of pity, then I'm afraid I can't do that."

Unwavering and cool, her tone never slipped. She ended the call without hesitation right after.

Having resolved the legal matter-at least for the moment-Hannah felt lighter. Turning her attention to business, she began chatting with event organizers about Sharon's birthday banquet. In the middle of their conversation, her phone buzzed with unexpected news-the court had tossed out her case.

Stunned, she called to ask for answers-only to learn that Vincent had interfered. Anger boiled over, and she fired off a message to him. "You shameless bastard."

She started reaching out to courts in other regions, hoping one might hear her out. But every single one turned her away, calling the case "exceptional" and refusing to take it on. It was obvious now. Vincent was shielding Brinley from the consequences.

Hannah lowered her phone, her energy drained and her hope running low. With Vincent in the picture, there was no way Brinley would ever be prosecuted.

Hannah shifted her approach. She sent Vincent another message."1fyou want me to drop the lawsuit, fine.But Brinley has to post a public apology. Put it online where everyone can see. Do that, and I'll step away.lf not, I'll keep filing. Every single day. I've got time, and I'm not afraid to use it. And if the media catches wind of this-let's see who ends up being publicly disgraced."

Vincent didn't reply.

Later, as Hannah scrolled through Instagram, something caught her eye and made her freeze. Brinley had posted again-just one minute earlier.

The post had three photos. A man in a suit, seen from behind; a hand pointing toward him; a massive bouquet of red roses. The caption read, "The man I love came to see me again. And he brought me these beautiful flowers."