Chapter 81

Spotting Vincent and Brinley just a few steps away, Hannah snapped to full alert. Any trace of drowsiness vanished, even though her brain was still catching up.

Clive's jaw threatened to drop in shock. His boss's kept woman was in another man's office? He couldn't wrap his head around it. So, Hannah hadn't been dumped yet?She must have more cunning than he'd given her credit for. Scorn twisted in his mind.

Even Brinley couldn't hide her astonishment at Hannah's appearance. In that instant, it dawned on her why Felix's face had seemed so familiar. Her memory brought back the image of him sitting with Hannah at Chance Cafe. Clearly, their connection ran deeper than she'd realized. But what was really going on between them?

Instinct drew Brinley's attention to Vincent. His face made everything clear-he was seething. His glare at Hannah could have frozen stone.

Brinley immediately understood. Vincent's ego was wounded.

No one dared to break the suffocating silence that filled the room.

With a relaxed smile, Felix closed the distance between him and Hannah."Did we wake you up? Why not sleep a bit longer?" he said softly.

Checking the time on her phone, Hannah realized it was almost four o'clock. "Why didn't you wake me?"

A gentle grin lingered on Felix's face. "I figured you deserved a little more sleep."

She regarded Vincent and Brinley with a cool stare and asked, "They're here for Nova Tech?"

Felix kept his gaze steady on her. "That's right. They're here hoping to buy the company."

Any warmth vanished from Hannah's features as the reality hit. So Vincent was aiming for Nova Tech now?

Tension sliced through Vincent's voice as he spoke, lips pressed into a thin line. "Come over here. Now."Every word landed like a slap of winter air.

Not a single step did Hannah take. She simply gave him a look.

A hard knot formed in Vincent's chest. Damn it. His mother had been right all along. Hannah had rushed out early this morning just to meet this guy. On top of everything, she'd actually sleep in this guy's office.

A bitter laugh burst from Vincent as he crossed the space between them in quick, forceful steps. His hand seized Hannah's wrist, attempting to yank her away.

"Let go of me!" Hannah exclaimed, twisting against him, but his grip refused to loosen. Angry red marks sprang up on her skin almost immediately.

Without missing a beat, Felix moved in, securing Hannah's other arm. His eyes narrowed with challenge."Mr. Jones, care to explain exactly what you're doing right now?"

Vincent's gaze grew icier as he let out a short, mocking laugh. "Why would I owe you any sort of explanation?"

Not backing down, Felix's tone grew firmer. "Dragging my woman out of here absolutely demands an explanation."

Hushed silence blanketed the office. All attention focused on Felix.

Brinley's eyes widened in shock. Felix had feelings for Hannah? If that was the case, their negotiation just got a whole lot trickier. No acquisition would go smoothly with feelings tangled up like this. There was no telling what influence Hannah might wield over Felix.

The way Felix immediately came to Hannah's defense filled Brinley with scorn. Hannah was really something else-after falling out with Vincent, she wasted no time jumping into another man's armns. Yet, did Felix understand he might be nothing more than Hannah's consolation prize?

Eyes slanting in calculation, Brinley spoke up, her voice smooth. "Vincent, don't be upset. I'm sure there's been some kind of misunderstanding."

Vincent ignored Brinley's words altogether. A frosty chuckle slipped from him as he tightened his jaw. "You said your woman?"

In a gentle but steady tone, Hannah addressed Felix, "Let go,please."

Hannah understood Felix's intention at once-he actually meant business partner, but to keep her role at Nova Tech under wraps and ease her out of the confrontation, he opted for the words "his woman" instead.She didn't doubt his intentions. His support meant a lot. Even so, she had no wish to drag him into the fallout between herself and Vincent.

After a moment's hesitation, Felix released Hannah's wrist.

Hannah's steady gaze met Vincent's thunderous glare. She had no intention of causing a scene here, so her words came gently. "If you want to talk, we can do it back at home."

An edge crept into Vincent's voice as he insisted, grip tightening. "Then come home with me now."

Hannah's voice was quiet, but her resolve didn't waver. "Vincent, my life is my own. I decide where I go. And right now, I have other priorities-I'm not leaving."

A dangerous light flickered in Vincent's eyes. "Priorities? Is that your way of saying you're off flirting with another man behind my back?"