“I have a niece,” Kellan began, his voice softening. “She’s incredibly bright and charming, though she has autism. Her sole passion is pottery.”
Allison noticed the fleeting softness in Kellan’s usually steely expression as he spoke of his niece. It was a rare glimpse of tenderness from the man known for his ruthlessness, and it stirred a complex mix of emotions within her, leaving her momentarily unsettled. As an orphan who had always navigated life alone, Allison found herself unexpectedly reflecting on her own experiences in light of Kellan’s vulnerability.
“I’ve seen your talent, Ms. Clarke,” Kellan continued, his tone still as cool as a business negotiation. “I’d like you to teach my niece pottery. In exchange, I can offer you substantial assistance.” He spoke with a clinical detachment, as though discussing a mere business transaction rather than matters of life and death. “My resources could be of great help. No matter how skilled you are, some things require a more official touch, don’t you agree?”
Allison’s brow furrowed. She was acutely aware of the Lloyd family’s extensive influence in both the business and political spheres. Their aid could indeed open many doors for her.
With a smirk, Allison crossed her arms. “So, is this your roundabout way of pleading for your life?”
“Not exactly.” Kellan met her gaze with a sharp, knowing look as if he could see right through her. “You weren’t aiming to kill me, were you? If you had truly wanted me dead, you would have acted without hesitation. Your moment of indecision gave you away. Since we’re both cautious, why not collaborate? It could be mutually beneficial.”
“You really don’t know when to quit, do you? Quite the businessman,” Allison remarked, her tone indicating a reluctant agreement.
With a deft motion, she reclaimed the blade from him and, with a flick of her wrist, tore the bandages around his hand.
“Let me handle that wound as a gesture of goodwill,” she offered.
Kellan eyed the small bottle she produced, raising an eyebrow. Did this woman carry a full medical kit with her? It was impressive how she seemed to have everything she needed on hand.
“You’re a man with an army of bodyguards. Of course, you don’t carry these things around. But I’ve always been in the habit of being prepared. It’s a survival instinct for people like me,” she replied with a hint of amusement.
“Open your mouth,” Allison instructed, gently gripping Kellan’s chin and placing a red pill in his mouth as she applied the ointment and rewrapped his hand. Her movements were precise, and her intuition seemed almost telepathic, as though she were in tune with his thoughts.
Carrying bandages and medicine had become more than just a precaution for her; it was a deeply ingrained habit, born from years of survival.
“What is this?” Kellan asked, swallowing the pill. Though he suspected it was an antibiotic, his curiosity got the better of him.
“Poison,” Allison said with a mischievous smile, her eyes glinting with a touch of humor.
Kellan’s body tensed in shock.
Allison chuckled, noticing his slightly stunned expression as she packed up her supplies. “Ever heard the saying, ‘Better safe than sorry,’ Mr. Lloyd? How can I be sure your niece even exists? And what if you decide to send your guards after me once we’re out of here? It would be a shame to save you only to be betrayed later.”
She flashed him a reassuring smile. “That’s why I gave you the poison – to add a layer of trust to our deal. Don’t worry, I have the antidote.”
Kellan leaned back with a lazy grin, amusement gleaming in his eyes. “Now that I’ve been properly poisoned, perhaps you can tell me: who are you?”
He wasn’t sure how many times this woman could astonish him. With her cold, detached exterior, Allison had an edge that was both sharp and unyielding. She wasn’t just calculated; there was something almost primal about her.
Carrying bandages and medicine made sense for someone focused on survival, but poison?
That was something entirely different. No one had ever dared to push Kellan this far or put him in such a precarious situation.
His heart raced uncontrollably, adrenaline surging through him. It was a thrill not even the most extreme sports could match.
This was fascinating. What kind of life had shaped Allison into the person she was today?
“I’m just an ordinary person,” Allison said, her voice carrying an air of nonchalance.
Kellan, despite knowing full well that he had just ingested poison, maintained his calm demeanor. His lack of anger or threats only piqued Allison’s curiosity further. She spoke with a straightforwardness that matched the gravity of their situation. “We’re both sharp as tacks, so let’s just pretend none of this ever happened.”
The rain outside drummed steadily against the leaves, creating an almost hypnotic rhythm. The air grew colder and damper. After finishing her sentence, Allison wrapped her jacket tightly around herself and moved closer to the fire, seeking warmth.
Kellan noticed she was still wearing damp clothes, which brought back memories of their night together and stirred an unsettling feeling within him. “Of course, I’ll act like nothing happened,” he muttered, his tone reflecting a mix of irritation and resignation.
He had expected her to bring up their previous encounter, but her untroubled demeanor made him think again about the tip she had left on the nightstand. Her casual attitude toward the incident was infuriating. Kellan’s expression darkened as he opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, he realized Allison had already fallen asleep, her body slumped against the stone wall.
Her sleep was restless, likely a result of the adrenaline from their close call or the biting cold. In her dreams, she relived a harrowing escape from assassins in her teenage years.
Curled up instinctively, as though trapped in a nightmare, Allison soon felt a warm presence beside her. It was comforting and familiar, soothing her frayed nerves. She moved closer to the warmth, her brow relaxing as she sank into a deeper sleep.
By dawn, the first rays of sunlight gently woke her. Allison opened her eyes groggily, taking in her surroundings. As she shifted, something fell to the ground-it was a jacket. She recognized it as Kellan’s.
Kellan himself was seated near the cave entrance, his broad back shielding her from the wind. Allison couldn’t quite put a finger on her feelings; they were a tangled mess of confusion.
The rain had ceased, and as she stood up quietly, intending to call for help, she noticed Kellan’s flushed face and paused.
“You’ve got a fever,” she said, reaching out to rouse him.
Kellan, still injured and chilled from the previous night, was now running a high fever. Infections were a serious concern for him. “Probably,” he murmured, his voice hoarse and his skin burning to the touch as he slowly opened his eyes, revealing red streaks in the whites.
Allison frowned, planning to step outside to gather water to cool him down. But before she could move, a loud voice echoed in the distance-it was Emanuel.
“Over there! There’s a cave! I see Allison!”
Emanuel, though older, was still as sharp-eyed and quick as ever. He rushed toward them, nearly tripping over thorns in his path. When he finally saw Allison and Kellan safe and sound, tears welled up in his eyes. “Thank goodness you’re okay! When you didn’t return last night, I sent out a search party right away, and all we found was blood!” Emanuel’s voice wavered, relief and anger mixing in his words.
His frustration grew as he spoke. “The police caught a suspect with a gun, but that scumbag managed to escape! How can someone attack innocent people for no reason?”
Allison stayed silent, not wanting to add to Emanuel’s worries. Watching him discreetly wipe away his tears, she quickly shifted the topic. “I’m sorry. I lost all the bamboo shoots you worked so hard to dry.”
Kellan immediately took responsibility, his tone serious. “This is my fault. I dragged Allison into this. I’ll make it right…”
“Just forget it, wheel guy!” Emanuel interrupted, pulling them both into a tight hug, his eyes brimming with tears as he took in their injuries. “Forget the bamboo shoots. I’m just thankful you’re both alive!”
After filing their report at the police station, Allison and Kellan spent an additional three days in Athton, as Emanuel insisted on ensuring their full recovery. As they prepared to leave, Emanuel, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears, bid them farewell. “Take care, Allison, wheel monster!”
Though Allison was hesitant to part ways, she had pressing matters awaiting her.
Upon returning to the Green family home, Allison took a shower. As she dried her hair with a towel, she made her way to the secret room her best friend had designed. There, she retrieved a backup black phone and dialed a number.
The voice on the other end was initially stunned but soon turned melodramatic, dripping with disappointment. “Boss! You finally decided to call me! Have you forgotten about Cobweb?”
Allison’s response was curt. “I need you to look someone up.”
Gordon Herbert teased, “A lover, is it? You finally reach out after all this time just to give me work? Alright, who’s the lucky one?”
“Collect everything you have on Kellan Lloyd and send it to my computer.”
“Kellan Lloyd? The Lloyd Group guy?” Gordon, despite his playful tone, was quick and efficient. Within less than a minute, a decrypted file landed in Allison’s inbox. “His information is top-secret. Many have tried to dig up dirt on him.”
Allison didn’t utter a word. She examined Kellan’s file in silence.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.