Chapter 61

Hannah released her grip, and Danica stumbled back onto the bed.

With a sneer, Danica tossed her damp hair over her shoulder. "So this is what this is about? Standing up for your parents, I see." She rolled her eyes. "Tell me,did I say anything that wasn't true? Your family's always had nothing. If it weren't for the Jones family,you'd just keep sinking lower."

A steely coldness settled in Hannah's eyes."Appreciate the reminder. With the rest of your properties coming our way, it won't be long before the Scott family is swimming in wealth." After that,she settled herself in a chair and reached out her hand. "Go on, hand over the remaining seven properties."

Danica barely reacted. Instead, she raised her voice so everyone could hear. "What's your hurry? Like I

said before, handing over property doesn't happen in a snap. It's a process, you know."

She couldn't help but add in a mocking tone, "And let's be real, with your family of bookworms, can any of you handle that much money? How about this-we compromise. Since you and Vincent are parting ways, let's keep things friendly. I'll wire you ten million. Think of it as a parting gift from me. Not too shabby, right?" She flashed a broad, fake smile,acting as if she were being generous.

A cold laugh escaped Hannah. Danica honestly believed ten million would be enough to settle this?All those properties together would easily top a billion. Clearly, Danica was only dragging things out-she couldn't bear to hand over the assets she'd invested her year-long savings in.

"Absolutely not," Hannah said, her voice firm. "I want every single property you promised. Nothing less."

Danica's features tightened, and her words turned sharp. "Then there's nothing else to discuss. I've already told you, the transfer takes time. If you want Refusing to let her off the hook, Hannah spelled out the real problem. "You're not dragging this out because of any paperwork. You just can't stand to let go of the properties. You call yourself part of a rich family? You're stingy, and your promises mean nothing."

"You-" Danica stammered, at a loss for any real comeback. Determined not to back down, she steadied herself. "Say whatever you like. I've already explained that the transfer will take time. If you refuse to wait, that's not my fault."

Hannah narrowed her eyes. "Well, if that's how it is..."She glanced toward the doorway and said,"You can come in now."

An attorney, smartly dressed and holding a thick stack of files, entered the room.

A flicker of alarm crossed Danica's features."What are you playing at?"

Hannah responded without a hint of hesitation, "I asked my attorney to come here for a reason. Since you're too busy to process the transfers, I've handled everything for you."

Taking the stack of files, Hannah gave them a small wave in Danica's direction. "There are seven contracts right here, not a single one missing. All you have to do is sign. That way, we stop wasting each other's time."

Danica erupted with outrage. "This is blackmail!"

A humorless chuckle escaped Hannah. "You're something else. You broke your promise and then accuse me of blackmail? Who was it that said-loud and clear-that as long as | divorced Vincent, you'd transfer ten properties into my name? I've already signed the divorce agreement. Now you want to wriggle out of it?"

Forcing herself to appear calm, Danica clung to the hope that Hannah would not dare to push too hard. "I told you l'd give you the properties, and I will," she replied slowly. "Just leave the paperwork here.After Sharon's birthday is over, I'll take care of the signatures. Is that fair?"

Hannah smirked. "That almost sounds reasonable."

Relief crept onto Danica's face. She thought she had managed to buy herself a little more time. Every minute she kept those properties in her name felt like a small victory.

She opened her mouth to say something, but Hannah's tone turned cold. "But I'm done waiting. If you're so unwilling to hand over the properties, just sell them off and give me the cash instead."

A burst of anger shot through Danica. "Have you lost your mind, Hannah? How am I supposed to come up with more than a billion in cash?" All of her wealth was tied up in property.

With her arms crossed, Hannah kept her tone sharp as ice. "It looks like you have no choice but to sign right now."

Panic flickered across Danica's face. "I already told you, after Sharon's birthday, I'll sign everything.That's my word."

A steady resolve colored Hannah's answer. "And I already made it clear-I won't be waiting any longer."Her words came out quietly, but there was no room for argument. "Did you think I couldn't tell you were just playing for time?"

A cold scoff escaped Hannah's lips. "I only went along with your little game. You actually thought I believed it? And don't even try to accuse me of blackmail. Every one of these contracts says the transfer is a voluntary gift."

She nodded, and the lawyer, who had stayed quietly nearby, stepped up to arrange the contracts on the table.

Danica recoiled, taking a shaky step back. "Don't you dare force me to sign!"

Hannah's expression didn't budge. "I'm simply collecting what you promised me. What's so wrong with that?"

Defiance crept into Danica's voice. "I refuse to sign!"

At that, Hannah calmly drew two more documents from her bag and set them beside the contracts."These are my divorce agreements with Vincent. If you don't sign, I'll just tear these up instead."