Chapter 1125:

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Pausing at the door, Hannah gestured for her assistant to remain outside before slipping into the quiet lounge alone. Once the door clicked shut, she let out a soft sigh, finally feeling a moment’s peace. Navigating the endless stream of small talk and handshakes came naturally to her, but even she found herself drained by the demands of the evening.

She had just managed to slip into her fresh dress and was fumbling with the zipper when the lounge door swung open and clicked shut behind her.

In the mirror’s reflection, she spotted Vincent quietly stepping inside. There was a trace of alcohol on him, not overwhelming, but enough to suggest he’d been drinking.

Without a word, Vincent closed the distance between them, reached out, and smoothly zipped up her dress.

Hannah stood still, making no move to confront or welcome him. She simply watched his every movement in the mirror.

In the space of a breath, he wrapped his arms firmly around her waist and pulled her close, his familiar scent enveloping her completely.

𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖾𝗑𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗈𝗇 𝗀𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗌.𝖼𝗈𝗆

His voice, low and ragged with longing, brushed her ear. “Is that man really that good?”

A jolt ran through Hannah at the sudden embrace, but she quickly regained her composure and tried to pull away. “Let go, Vincent. You’re drunk.”

“I’m not drunk,” he murmured, refusing to release her, resting his chin gently on her shoulder. “I’m stone cold sober. Hannah, I regret it.”

Her expression tightened. “What is it you regret now?”

“Agreeing to be just friends.” His gaze met hers in the mirror, unwavering and raw. “Give us another chance. Will you marry me again?”

Hannah angled her face away, dodging the heat of his breath and the intensity of his eyes. “Vincent, you’re not thinking straight. Stop messing around. This is my company’s celebration banquet. Don’t ruin my moment.”

“I’m not drunk!” he insisted, though he eased his grip a little, afraid of hurting her. “You and Adrian… The two of you are too close.”

She spoke softly but firmly, choosing her words with care. “Adrian is my subordinate, nothing more. He offered me his arm because I was struggling in heels, that’s all. Why are you reading into it?”

“Why couldn’t it have been me at your side?” he blurted out.

Hannah finally turned to face him, pushing him back gently but insistently. She forced herself to stay steady, meeting his desperate gaze with quiet resolve. “Vincent, you need to see the situation clearly. This is my night. I am the only star here. If I had walked into that hall on your arm, do you realize how fast the rumors would explode?”

She took a deep breath before continuing. “The spotlight would shift from Luminara Group’s achievement straight to our complicated history. Everything my team and I worked so hard for would turn into gossip material overnight.”

Her voice was steady and sincere, leaving her meaning unmistakable.

He rejected her logic, his stubborn tone thick with insistence. “And what’s so bad about that? Let everyone know you belong to me.”

“I don’t feel like doing that,” Hannah replied without the slightest pause. “Tonight is my moment to shine. Vincent, only days ago we agreed to begin as friends. Did that slip your mind already?”

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