Chapter 1098:

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She paused, her raw concern surfacing. “If society hears about this whirlwind timeline, they’ll gossip that the Joneses are practically begging someone to take Vincent off their hands. It’ll be mortifying!”

Vera sneered inwardly, plastering on a warm smile as she slipped an arm through Danica’s and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Danica, I know you value every detail because you want the wedding to be flawless for Vincent and for me.”

Her tone shifted slightly. “But Vincent is swamped with his responsibilities, and prolonging things only creates more vulnerability. Getting married quickly means you could be holding a grandchild much sooner. And honestly, I’m not one for ostentatious galas. A small, heartfelt gathering with the people we love most is more than enough for me.” Her words were a skilled balm to Danica’s social anxieties.

Vincent, who was seated on the sofa reviewing a dossier, added his voice without looking up, his tone unnaturally placid. “Vera’s approach is efficient. I agree.”

Hearing his endorsement, a deep, quiet satisfaction settled over Vera. The chip was performing flawlessly.

Vera’s rush to the altar went far beyond just gaining the title of “Mrs. Jones.” She aimed to use the high-profile wedding to let Dorbarrow’s political and business elite witness her untouchable status. Ideally, from that day forward, “Vera Oliver” and “the Jones Group” would be synonymous in the public mind, and any deal with the Jones Group would need her tacit approval.

The wedding itself was only phase one. A more audacious scheme had taken root in her mind over the preceding days. During the ceremony, in front of all their distinguished guests, she intended for Vincent to sign a share-transfer agreement, gifting her his controlling stake in the Jones Group.

Just the mere thought of it thrilled her. Once the papers were signed, she would hold the majority stake in the Jones Group, giving her unquestioned control. By then, even if the chip’s influence ever waned or some other variable shifted, the company would already be irrevocably hers.

And with Vincent signing the document publicly, no one would be able to claim the decision hadn’t been his. As for the chip controlling him, that was a truth that could never be exposed. Her eyes drifted to Vincent, dutiful on the sofa, and a cold, cunning smile touched her lips.

While Vera plotted her takeover, Hannah dedicated every spare moment outside her own company duties to a desperate global search. She was looking for specialists in neuromodulation and memory-altering implants.

𝘑oі𝗻 𝗈𝘂𝗋 c𝗼m𝗺𝘂𝘯it𝘺 о𝘯 𝗴а𝗹𝗇𝗼𝘃𝖾𝗅ѕ.c𝘰𝗺

A stroke of fortune led her to Dr. Xander Ward, a pioneering neurologist in town for a medical summit in Dorbarrow. Xander was a leading figure in brain-computer interface research, with a résumé that included several classified government projects.

After a discreet introduction, Hannah outlined Vincent’s predicament. To her immense relief, Xander agreed to consult.

After settling the time with Xander, Hannah quickly arranged a location to meet with Vincent.

Thus, following Hannah’s plan, Vincent was brought face to face with Xander.

At that moment, Vincent rested silently on the medical bed, sensors attached to his forehead and linked to an intricate machine.

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