Allison hadn’t expected Ferdinand to be so down-to-earth, almost approachable, in the wake of all the drama. “Now that the competition is behind us, why don’t we take a little breather?” Ferdinand suggested, gesturing toward the elevator that led to the top-floor penthouse. The invitation hung in the air like an unspoken promise. The group-now four, accompanied by an entourage of guards-ascended to the penthouse, an island of luxury perched high above the bustling world below.
Once inside, Allison sank into the depths of a plush sofa, her eyes lingering on Kellan, who sat across from her. “I haven’t had the chance to thank you for stepping in earlier, Mr. Lloyd,” she began, her voice measured.
“Just doing my bit against injustice,” Kellan replied, his usual frostiness replaced with something warmer. His gaze rested on her for a moment longer than necessary, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. “Miss Clarke, you’ve surprised everyone. Who would’ve thought you were a legend in the world of perfumery?” There was curiosity in his words, though not without admiration.
Allison, equally intrigued by him, felt the pull of her own questions. She had stumbled upon him unexpectedly-the man she had been searching for. But with so many eyes and ears around, she couldn’t dive into the mysteries of Charisma Company or ask about the clues that led back to her mother, not yet.
Kellan’s voice broke through her thoughts. “I wonder if you’ve given any more thought to the proposal we discussed? My niece, upon hearing I was hunting for a talented teacher, seemed quite pleased-though she’s still not talking to me.”
His niece, lost in her own world due to her autism, had found solace in pottery. Kellan hoped a teacher might draw her out, even if just a little.
And yet, something more lingered in the air-his interest in Allison wasn’t purely professional.
Their last encounter in Athton still gnawed at him, the effects of the poison she had used lingering within him. Even his trusted physician couldn’t identify the source, let alone treat it.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand’s grin widened, sensing the subtle but undeniable chemistry between them.
Rebecca arched an eyebrow and glanced at him. “So, Mr. Blakely, do you have any food here?”
“Of course,” he responded smoothly. “Shall we visit the kitchen?”
The two exchanged amused looks before slipping out, leaving Allison and Kellan alone.
Before departing, Rebecca shot Allison a playful wink, as if to say, “I see what’s going on here.”
Allison couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, inwardly acknowledging that the same flirtatious energy hummed between Rebecca and Ferdinand.
“You know,” Allison said, leaning slightly forward, “I’m less interested in your niece’s pottery lessons than I am in how you came to know such an intricate art as the Charisma perfume, Mr. Lloyd.”
Kellan took no offense at the shift in conversation. Instead, he smiled, a genuine expression crossing his face. “My grandmother was my teacher.”
“Is she… still with us?” Allison’s brow furrowed, determination flickering beneath her words. She had been searching for so long that giving up wasn’t an option.
“If you’re hoping to meet her, I’m afraid it’s too late,” Kellan answered with a calmness that belied the gravity of his words. “Six months ago, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She’s forgotten most things now and is receiving treatment in a care home.”
A pang of disappointment rippled through Allison, but she managed to keep her expression measured.
“That’s truly unfortunate. I’ve always wanted to meet her, as I have such a passion for perfume. It looks like that dream is fading now.”
Kellan’s eyes darkened slightly, his tone taking on an edge. “Most of the people who want to visit her now are either looking to snatch at her fortune or put an end to her entirely.”
His grandmother, Kinslee Lloyd, was a revered figure, but her illness had left her vulnerable, and opportunists were circling like vultures. Some had even gone so far as to plot her abduction.
“As it stands,” he continued, “only close family are permitted to see her.”
The subtlety in Allison’s words hadn’t escaped Kellan’s notice. He sensed there was more to her inquiries than simple admiration for perfume craftsmanship-secrets cloaked in every question she posed.
Allison smiled faintly, extending her hand to Kellan.
“I’m looking forward to working with you, Mr. Lloyd. After all, as your niece’s future mentor, it seems I’m almost part of the family now. Perhaps one day I’ll get to chat with your grandmother during a moment of clarity.”
“Pleasure doing business with you.”
Kellan’s handshake was firm but unhurried. “You had your hesitations earlier, but now you’ve agreed because of my grandmother, right?”
Allison gave a slight nod, her eyes steady. Family was a powerful motivator, and she understood his guarded approach. “That’s right. Your grandmother’s work in perfumery is renowned, and I’ve always been drawn to her techniques. Whenever I encounter something I can’t quite master, it becomes an obsession. Her ability to balance contrasting scents, mixing warm and cool notes, is remarkable. I’ve tried, but I can never quite capture the same harmony.”
A gentle, unassuming smile curled on Allison’s lips. “But if you’re willing to mentor me, Kellan, that might save me a lot of trial and error.”
Kellan had always been a man who noticed the smallest details. His instincts were sharp, finely tuned to detect hidden motives, yet Allison remained an enigma-careful, composed, and never one to lay all her cards on the table.
She wasn’t foolish either. No need for a formal visit to his grandmother just yet. As long as she could find a way into their world, there were countless ways to unearth the truths she sought.
“You’re too modest, Ms. Clarke.” Kellan’s voice remained even, though the warmth of her skin lingered on his fingertips, and before he realized it, his fingers curled ever so slightly.
“I honor any deal I make, but gaining my niece’s approval won’t be simple. Children are rarely easy to win over. Perhaps you’d prefer to ask for something else instead?”
He shifted the conversation with ease, his tone casual yet deliberate. “Whatever’s within my power, consider it a token of gratitude-for saving my life that night.”
Allison raised a brow, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Which night are we talking about here? The cruise or the cave?”
Her voice was playful, hinting at something more unsaid. She took a step closer, shrinking the space between them, enough to blur the line between business and something personal.
Kellan could feel the warmth of her breath. Her lashes, long and delicate, fluttered as though they were brushing against his mind, leaving a subtle, stirring effect.
Before he could respond, she added, “So, anything I want?” Kellan instinctively broke eye contact, glancing aside.
His heartbeat faltered for a moment, unfamiliar with the way she unnerved him. No woman had ever affected him like this. “Of course, within reason,” he managed to reply. Allison’s smile widened, and the charged atmosphere dissipated as quickly as it had formed. She stepped back, the earlier closeness evaporating into the air. “I’ll keep that in mind. If I run into trouble, I’ll be sure to call on you first, Mr. Lloyd.”
In one seamless motion, Allison plucked a strand of hair from Kellan’s shoulder, hiding it in her palm with expert precision.
According to her intel from Cobweb, Kellan was around her age, and the timeline of his mother’s passing suspiciously matched her own mother’s disappearance. And his grandmother’s perfumery skills? Identical to what her mother had once mastered. There was a slim chance they might share more than just a business relationship-possibly even blood. That thought, while still speculative, left her unsettled. Yet any clue, no matter how far-fetched, was worth pursuing.
Just then, a knock interrupted them, and Kellan’s assistant entered with a respectful pause. “Sir.”
Sherman froze for a moment, his words caught in his throat as the sight before him made him pause. His boss, who was notoriously aloof around women, was standing unusually close to Allison. The air between them wasn’t businesslike-it felt almost… intimate.
For a moment, Sherman questioned what he was seeing. Was this the same woman who had discovered Kellan’s secret about faking his disability? Now, the tension between them seemed entirely different, more familiar than he had ever imagined possible.
Despite the questions swirling in his mind, Sherman regained his composure and cleared his throat, maintaining a respectful tone. “Sir, there’s a large crowd of media outlets waiting outside. Our car can’t even get through. Ontdale’s biggest TV network is there, along with two major international news outlets. They’ve been waiting for quite a while now.”
Sherman had never seen such a media frenzy. But when he thought about it, it made perfect sense. Kellan wasn’t just the CEO of the world’s most prestigious luxury brand; he was also the heir to the Lloyd Group.
And now that the news had broken that he was the CEO of Charisma Company, along with his alliance with the Everett Group in the perfume industry-any one of those headlines would have been enough to spark a media storm.
“Several outlets with ties to the Lloyd Group have also sent interview requests,” Sherman continued. “They’ve even mentioned that if you can’t do a full interview, a simple photo would suffice.”
“Well, it looks like Mr. Lloyd has his hands full, so I’ll step aside,” Allison chimed in with a warm smile. She casually grabbed her bag, her movements graceful as she discreetly tucked away the strand of Kellan’s hair she’d snatched earlier.
“Here’s to our future ventures!” Kellan paid no mind to Sherman’s words, his focus instead trailing after Allison as she walked away, deep in his own thoughts. It was a long moment before he blinked himself back to reality. His expression turned dark, inscrutable, before he finally muttered, “Get me the list of reporters.”
As Allison stepped out, Rebecca joyfully slung an arm around her shoulder.
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.