Kellan, who had been watching the drama unfold with lazy amusement, opened his eyes just enough to stroke a cat’s chin and casually remarked, “I particularly dislike people who don’t keep their promises. Perhaps now would be a good time for my assistant to review our contracts with the Stevens Group, just to ensure everything is in order.”
The threat was unmistakable, and Colton’s complexion drained of color in an instant.
The new luxury stores they had opened were collaborating with malls owned by Kellan’s company. A scandal could severely impact their brand, especially with investors watching closely.
“Colton, you really should learn to bow gracefully in these situations,” Melany advised with quiet wisdom, trying to defuse the tension. “Given that Allison has the backing of Kellan, the CEO of the Lloyd Group, it might be wise to consider the future…”
Gritting his teeth, Colton reluctantly acquiesced.
Slowly, he and Melany knelt down, the act feeling as if their knees were about to shatter under the weight of their humiliation.
A resounding thud echoed as they finally settled into their kneeling position.
Colton shut his eyes tightly and bowed his head, his voice strained as he muttered, “Sorry, we were wrong.” The words came through clenched teeth, dripping with reluctance and discomfort as if every syllable was a dagger.
Even the distant hum of mosquitoes seemed louder than their apology. Allison’s gaze remained coolly detached as she looked down at them. “I must be hearing things, or perhaps the illustrious CEO of the Stevens Group has lost his voice. Is that why your apology is barely a whisper?” Allison sneered, her tone dripping with disdain as she emphasized “CEO.”
“Don’t you dare push me…” Colton began, his voice laced with fury, but he was cut short by a cold, piercing stare.
Kellan, holding a cat close, fixed his gaze on Colton with eyes as dark and intense as a midnight storm.
Colton met that gaze and felt a freezing chill run through his bones.
“Sorry, we were wrong!” Colton blurted out suddenly, his face reddening as if he had been caught in the sun. His teeth nearly shattered from the effort to control his anger.
Even Melany, her eyes brimming with tears, bowed her head deeply in apology, all the while wishing she could rip Allison to shreds.
After they had performed three sincere bows, Allison finally eased back into her chair, methodically arranging her carving tools and treating Melany and Colton as if they were mere shadows.
“Now that you’ve finished, you may leave,” she said with an air of finality.
Melany rose, struggling to keep her composure. Having been pampered throughout her life, she had never faced such a humiliating situation. Despite her fury, she knew better than to lash out now.
She could hardly believe that Allison, of all people, had managed to gain Kellan’s support!
“Now that we’ve cleared up this little misunderstanding, surely you can let bygones be bygones, Allison. But speaking of bygones, you mentioned during the divorce that you had been with someone. When might we meet this person? If you’ve found your true love, we can all leave in peace.”
Her words were wrapped in a veneer of concern and generosity. Yet underneath, Melany was simply trying to provoke Kellan into disappointment with Allison.
“It’s just a gigolo, so what if I slept with him?” Allison replied bluntly.
“At least I had a wonderful night with him, unlike someone so unattractive and even disgusting that even the person they like is repulsive,” Allison remarked with a faint, sarcastic smile.
“You could have at least given us a heads-up about your wedding date. After all, it’s such an ill-fated day, hardly ideal for venturing out,” she continued, her voice dripping with disdain.
Melany’s anger flared, and even Colton was taken aback by Allison’s demeanor. “Well, Allison! You’ve really outdone yourself these past three years!” he yelled.
Kellan, who had been absently playing with a cat, seemed contemplative at Allison’s words. He furrowed his brow, recalling the woman from that night who had treated him as nothing more than a gigolo.
Melany, struggling to keep her anger in check, forced a smile so tight that her nails nearly drew blood. “I didn’t realize you had such little regard for propriety. But discussing such matters so openly is unseemly. Those who don’t know any better might think you’re the type of woman who flits from one man to another. If you ever wish to find a good man…”
Melany watched Kellan’s face closely, noting a shadow of contemplation. “Those picky elites still disdain such behavior, so Allison, perhaps it’s best if you temper your freedom a bit to avoid offending them.”
“Are you talking about those stubborn old fogies?” Allison replied with a hint of defiance before Kellan’s laughter broke out.
“A woman’s virtue isn’t measured by so-called chastity. What truly matters is character. For instance, people like you who stir up trouble and are eager to cause problems for others should have their tongues cut out to learn a lesson,” he said coldly.
Allison was taken aback by Kellan’s sharpness. She hadn’t anticipated such a severe reaction, though his principles seemed unwavering.
Kellan turned his gaze to Colton with casual indifference. “What do you think, Mr. Stevens?”
Kellan’s use of the title “Mr. Stevens” carried the same cutting sarcasm as Allison’s earlier remarks.
Both Colton and Melany understood this as a blatant threat, and they were too intimidated to respond. As they exited, simmering with silent fury, a cold breeze swept the back of their heads.
Melany’s eyes widened in shock as she saw a knife deeply embedded in the door. It was stuck into the wood, just inches away from her head.
Colton felt a sudden chill on his face and touched it to find fresh blood.
“You’re bleeding!” Melany shrieked, noticing her hair fluttering in the breeze.
In stunned disbelief, she realized her long hair had been shorn off.
“Ah!” Melany’s cries pierced the air.
Clang! Allison placed her neatly arranged tools down. Melany, weakened and trembling, backed away in terror as Allison approached her.
“Can’t we settle this? This is deliberate harm!” Melany protested.
Allison, her expression impassive, casually removed the file from the door. “Sorry, the incessant barking outside had me on edge, so I just tossed it out to scare the dogs,” she said, waving the knife in front of them without a trace of apology.
“If you use any more foul language next time, I’ll aim it right at your heads.”
“You’re insane!” Colton fumed, his face flushed with rage. “You’re a crazy woman!”
Before he could finish, Allison slammed the door shut, barely missing his nose.
She locked the door and wiped her hands clean as if she had touched something unspeakably filthy.
“Finally, some peace,” she muttered with a satisfied sigh.
“How could Allison be so ruthless? She did this on purpose! My hair is ruined…”
Melany’s eyes brimmed with tears as she clutched the shorn strands, feeling an overwhelming sense of loss. She had meticulously cared for her long, black hair to maintain her image as the epitome of gentleness and innocence, only to have it destroyed by Allison.
“She’s trying to kill me. I’m sure of it,” Melany wept, her sobs invoking a flood of sympathy.
Her tears were not just for show. She genuinely felt threatened, convinced that Allison might resort to murder.
“She’s not that skilled. Just calm down,” Colton soothed, rubbing her back while his own heart raced with fear.
The chilling breeze and the menacing intent seemed almost palpable, as if the knife had been aimed straight at his brain, ready to end his life. The eerie sensation left him drenched in cold sweat.
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.