Chapter 961 Lily Discovers Vincent's Different Attitude Towards Selene
Selene gasped when she saw Lily standing at the doorway.
"I... this isn't what it looks like," she stammered. "I came to get medication from the counseling room and got locked inside. Vincent might be sleeping in there." Thinking quickly, she rushed over and pointed at the door lock. "I wanted to leave, but look—the door's locked."
Lily eyed Selene suspiciously, doubt flickering across her face.
Nevertheless, she maintained her composure and smiled. "I'll have someone come unlock it right away."
Selene sighed with relief. Liam had warned her about this woman—ruthless, venomous, capable of killing even her own friends. If Lily misunderstood her relationship with Vincent, would she even leave a body to find?
Selene had modest ambitions in life. She didn't dream of marrying into wealth or making a fortune. Having enough money was sufficient. She wanted to live a long life, which meant staying away from these wealthy lunatics.
Lily called security, who arrived promptly to unlock the door.
"I'm so sorry," the security guard apologized profusely. "I was told this floor was empty, so I came to lock up. I had no idea anyone was still inside."
Selene seized the opportunity to slip away before Lily could react.
Seeing Selene flee so hastily, Lily initially thought nothing of it. But when she entered the therapy room and found Vincent asleep on the hypnotherapy bed with Selene's jacket draped over him, suspicion and jealousy crept in. Vincent had always claimed to have a psychological aversion to physical contact—he wouldn't even let Lily get close. How could he possibly allow some random woman's clothing to touch him?
Vincent had actually awakened earlier but couldn't be bothered to acknowledge Lily.
As Lily reached to remove Selene's jacket—intending to throw it in the trash, consumed by jealousy that any woman would dare approach her man—Vincent grabbed it before she could take it.
Lily froze, nervously watching Vincent.
Vincent sat up and pulled Selene's jacket toward himself. He appreciated that she'd had the decency to cover him when she thought he might be cold.
Contrary to what Lily believed, Vincent had no aversion to physical contact. His supposed "psychological condition" was merely a ruse to keep Lily at bay.
Even if he did have such an aversion, he wouldn't mind Selene's touch. Despite her fondness for money and pleasure, she was, in his eyes, fundamentally decent.
Setting Selene's jacket aside, Vincent spoke flatly, "What brings you here? I was finally getting some rest, and now that you've woken me, I doubt I'll sleep well tonight."
Lily collected herself, her voice breaking. "Vincent, I was afraid... afraid you'd blame me if we lost this project."
Vincent remained silent.
"Please don't be angry with me," Lily pleaded. "I'm begging you, don't treat me this way."
Vincent looked up at her. "I'm not blaming you. This wasn't your fault—you were simply outmatched against Ethan. I was careless."
Lily's eyes welled with tears as she embraced Vincent. "I knew you'd understand..."
Vincent said nothing, craning his neck backward to avoid her touch.
After sobbing for a while, Lily continued with a cold smile. "Don't worry, though. Ethan won't be celebrating for long... I came to share some good news. I've made contact with someone from the Moscow black market. Since Kavi's death, this mysterious figure has been protecting the Cunningham family. Recently, the Cunninghams have been rebellious, surely offending this person. If I can gain their trust, I could convince them to destroy the Cunningham family..."
Lily always had a talent for devising malicious schemes. She'd been investigating the shadowy power behind Moscow since Kavi's death.
"Do you know who it is?" Vincent asked, fishing for information.
Everyone, including the Cunninghams and Ethan, wanted to identify this mysterious puppetmaster who had infiltrated the Cunningham Group so thoroughly.
Moreover, Vincent had conflicting interests with this person in Moscow—they were mortal enemies, with Vincent being the target of numerous assassination attempts.
Vincent, more than anyone, wanted to know the identity of the black market's mastermind. He had a certain admiration for whoever could be so formidable.
"I haven't met them yet, but we've scheduled a meeting. I'll definitely discover who they are," Lily promised.
Vincent nodded. "Good work. Proceed according to your plan. Let's head home."
Vincent stood and led Lily out, leaving Selene's jacket on the hypnotherapy bed.
Lily noticed, detecting something unusual in Vincent's casual disregard for the garment.
She glanced at Vincent, but his disguise was impeccable.
Lily said nothing more, fearing Vincent's displeasure.
Early the next morning, Vincent frowned as Lily departed, then treated himself to a thorough shower.
While he didn't generally have an aversion to physical contact, he certainly did with Lily.
Though he'd never been intimate with her, her very presence made him uncomfortable.
After his shower, Vincent went downstairs.
"To the office, Mr. Hamilton?" the driver inquired.
"To Connor's place," Vincent replied.
The driver hesitated. "This early in the morning?"
Vincent rarely visited Connor at this hour.
When Vincent didn't respond, the driver dared not ask further and drove away.
Shortly after Vincent's car departed, Lily's vehicle followed.
Lily watched Vincent's car with furrowed brows.
She couldn't shake her unease—something about Vincent's attitude toward that girl Selene seemed different.
Perhaps it was female intuition.
Following Vincent's car, they arrived at Connor's studio.
Lily instructed her driver to keep their distance, fearing Vincent might notice them.
He was too vigilant; if discovered, she'd have no explanation.
Vincent went upstairs and returned shortly, carrying Selene's jacket.
Lily's heart raced with jealousy as she clenched her fists.
Vincent had left so early just to retrieve Selene's jacket?
Lily's eyes hardened as she stared out the window. "Investigate someone for me—Selene, an employee at the Raymond Group, in Liam's department."
The driver nodded promptly. "Right away, Ms. Taylor."
At Vincent's office—formerly the Douglas Group, now renamed the Hamilton Group after his takeover—he took out his phone and texted Selene: [I have your jacket. Come to my office if you want it back.]
He was now at the former Douglas Group, which he had renamed the Hamilton Group after taking over.
He thoughtfully included his company's location.
Selene quickly replied: [I'm at work.]
Vincent texted back: [$10,000.]
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