Chapter 6 

Phoebe’s expression soured instantly when she caught Kaden’s softened gaze toward Hannah. 

“Tive hundred thousand!” she snapped, thrusting her paddle into the air. 

“Six hundred thousand!” Hannah countered without hesitation. 

“Seven hundred!” 

Back and forth they went, the price climbing dizzily upward. 

Finally, Hannah shot her hand up with a decisive “One million,” silencing the room. 

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Everyone assumed Hannah was bidding for Kaden, and whispers spread: “Mrs. Humphrey must really love her husband to fight so hard for that watch!” 

When the auctioneer handed over the sleek box, Kaden draped his jacket over Hannah’s shoulders against the evening chill. “Thank you,” he said softly. “Put it on me?” 

Hannah froze, about to explain the watch wasn’t meant for him, when Kaden’s phone buzzed. His expression tightened as he answered. “Now? I’ll be right there.” Some emergency at the office required his immediate attention. 

“Take the car,” he told them, already moving toward the exit. “I’ll grab a ride.” 

With the watch secured, Hannah had no reason to stay. She headed for the exit, ready to go home. 

Just as she was about to slide into the waiting car, she noticed Phoebe giving the security guard a meaningful look. Something was off–her instincts screamed danger. 

Before she could react, a sharp blow struck the back of her neck. Darkness swallowed her. 

When Hannah regained consciousness, frigid air bit at her skin. Shivering violently, she realized she was locked inside a walk–in freezer. 

Phoebe stood outside, watching through the glass window with cold satisfaction. 

“You really think a watch would win my brother’s heart?” She sneered. “He’ll never love anyone 

but 

at Camas Too Late 

3.8% 

Chapter 6 

me.” 

Hannah trembled, her lips turning blue. “You’ve got it all wrong,” she managed through chartering 

teeth. “The watch wasn’t for Kaden.” 

Phoebe blinked, momentarily caught off guard before her face hardened again. “If not him, then who? Save your lies. Freeze in here and think about what happens when you try to come between 

us.” 

With that, she smashed the watch against the floor, grinding the shattered crystal under her hea before walking away. 

“Phoebe!” Hannah shouted, her voice cracking. “PHOEBE!” 

Even with her legendary patience, this pushed Hannah over the edge. She couldn’t understand Phoebe’s vendetta. Kaden must have told her about their business arrangement. Hannah had heard him countless times telling Phoebe she was the only one in his heart 

If she’d known how dangerously obsessive Phoebe would be, she never would have agreed to frús sham marriage in the first place. 

The freezer door remained sealed, cutting her off from the world. Her phone had no signal, its screen already frosting over. The cold pierced her skin like thousands of tiny needles, penetrating to 

her bones. 

As consciousness began to slip away, a thunderous crash jolted her back. Through dimming vision. she saw the freezer door kicked open, Kaden rushing toward her. 

Hannah woke in their bed, piled under what felt like every blanket in the house. Kaden sat beside her, his expression a mixture of guilt and exhaustion. 

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I never imagined Phoebe would do something like this.” 

Hannah leaned against the headboard, her face still pale. “Let me guess–I can’t press charges this time either?” 

Kaden was silent for a moment. “I’ve already punished her.” 

Hannah raised an eyebrow. “How exactly?” 

He hesitated, sounding almost embarrassed. “She had to skip dessert.” 

Chapray 

After a long moment, she said softly, “Good to karne 

Kaden searched her face. “You’re not forkout? 

Hannah met his gaze, her eyes fired but clear. “Oh, I’m Autom. But then think- Chace bad fo something wrong, I wouldn’t have had the heart to put him efter. That’s what loving some does, I guess. You can’t bear to discipline your sister, just like I could have with Chace 

Kader’s expression transformed instantly. 

He stood abruptly, something flashing in his eyes–anger mingled with something that looked almost 

like hurt. 

Hannah watched him, genuinely confused by his intense reaction 

She waited for him to speak, but he just stood there, jaw tight, before finally forting out “Could we not mention him anymore? 

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