Chapter 509

Chapter 509:

“The question is whether we can prove that to him before he does something he can’t take back,” Stefan said.

Hannah saved her work and closed her laptop. “We need to trace the offshore accounts where the stolen money went. If we can follow the financial trail, we might be able to identify who’s really behind this.”

“How long will that take?” Camille asked.

“With Stefan’s help? Maybe a day or two. International shipping records might show connections we can’t find through banking alone.” Hannah looked at Stefan with professional respect that carried an undertone of something warmer. “Your experience with global financial networks could be exactly what we need.”

Stefan felt his pulse quicken at the prospect of working closely with Hannah for several more days. “I’d be glad to help.”

“Good. We’ll start first thing tomorrow morning.” Hannah gathered her papers, her movements efficient and graceful. “Stefan, could you bring your shipping contact databases? The ones that track corporate ownership through multiple countries?”

“Of course. Whatever you need.”

As Hannah reached for a file on the table, her hand briefly touched Stefan’s. The contact lasted only a moment, but Stefan felt electricity shoot up his arm. When Hannah met his eyes, her cheeks flushed slightly pink.

Camille watched this exchange with quiet interest, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth despite the seriousness of their situation.

“I should get back to Victoria,” Camille said diplomatically. “Keep working together on this. I have a feeling you two make a good team.”

After Camille left, Stefan and Hannah found themselves alone in the conference room, suddenly aware of the intimate atmosphere created by hours of shared investigation.

“Thank you for believing in my analysis,” Hannah said softly. “Most people think engineering is just numbers and formulas. They don’t understand that it’s really about finding truth hidden in data.”

“I understand,” Stefan replied. “In shipping, you learn that every document tells a story. You just have to know how to read between the lines.”

𝕋𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖑𝖊 𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖘𝖙 𝖆𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖉 𝖔𝖓 g𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀．𝖼𝗈𝗆

Hannah began packing her laptop, her movements more careful now that they were alone. “Stefan, can I ask you something personal?”

“Of course.”

“Why are you doing this? Helping Camille investigate the man who replaced you in her life? Most people would walk away.”

Stefan considered the question, thinking about his motivations. “Because I failed her once. I betrayed her trust and almost destroyed her ability to love again. If I can help protect her from another betrayal, maybe I can start to make amends for what I did.”

“That’s very noble,” Hannah said quietly.

“It’s very necessary,” Stefan corrected. “Camille deserves better than the men who have hurt her. She deserves someone who puts her happiness above their own agenda.”

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