With careful deliberation, Lorna accepted it and returned a quick smile as she showcased her work.
The smile took both Allison and Kellan by surprise. “Lorna, you are incredible!” Allison exclaimed, a touch awestruck by the girl before her.
When Lorna didn’t smile, she seemed distant, and there was a faint echo of Kellan in her features. But when she smiled, it shone brilliantly and warmly, like sunlight mixed with the fragrance of roses, a comforting glow. This little angel deserved more than to carry such burdens. Kellan was momentarily stunned before regaining his composure.
“Lorna, you just smiled, didn’t you?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion.
Although Lorna slipped back into her reserved nature, Kellan felt the warmth of tears prickling at the corners of his eyes.
Over the years, he had sought help from countless doctors – both at home and abroad – for Lorna’s autism, all to no avail. Even several pottery instructors had struggled to connect with her, facing her intense resistance.
She had always been ensconced in her own world, reluctant to engage with outsiders, let alone share her creations or feel any sense of pride.
This was the first time Lorna had let down her walls around a stranger. Even if it was just a fleeting moment, a smile and shared eye contact, it meant everything. Kellan could hardly recall the last time he had witnessed his niece smile like that.
Once Lorna and Allison wrapped up their work, Kellan extended a handkerchief to Allison.
“Thank you for your hard work, Ms. Clarke,” he remarked, recognizing the patience it took to manage a child. Even the slightest improvement felt like a flicker of hope.
Allison accepted the handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her brow. Noticing the logo, she quipped, “This is a limited edition, isn’t it? You must have some serious connections to get your hands on one of these. If I remember correctly, it’s valued at around three thousand.”
Kellan raised his eyebrows in surprise. “You’ve got a sharp eye, Ms. Clarke. Looks like you know a thing or two about these treasures.”
“I just spotted it online,” Allison replied casually, then added with a playful smile, “But it seems you’ve been hiding your indulgences, Mr. Lloyd.”
Kellan shrugged it off. “It was a gift from a business deal. Nothing worth getting too excited over.”
Their playful banter brought them a little closer, and Kellan found himself intrigued by Allison.
After the lesson, he escorted her out, giving instructions to the elderly butler along the way. “Lorna’s spent a good chunk of the day sculpting. Make sure someone brings her some snacks. She’s active and gets hungry fast.”
As Allison made her way down the stairs, she took in the villa. This was one of the private residences on the Lloyd estate, tucked away behind woods and designed to reflect its owner’s tastes. The place exuded a lived-in charm, bursting with personal touches. A tall display cabinet showcased an array of perfumes, including rare, discontinued gems from renowned perfumers, hinting at a deep appreciation for the craft.
Overhearing Kellan’s exchange with the butler, Allison couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. The world painted Kellan as a heartless figure, yet here he was, showing a surprising level of care for a child.
“Mr. Lloyd, there’s no need to escort me any further,” Allison said politely, turning to him. “I can find my way out.”
But as she turned, her gaze caught something – a necklace Kellan wore. He was dressed casually in a simple white shirt, the top button undone, revealing a necklace.
The necklace barely peeked out. The design – two intertwined serpents – looked eerily similar to a snake bracelet her mother had once worn. It seemed to belong to the same collection.
“I didn’t just come to see you off, Ms. Clarke. There’s another matter I’d like to discuss,” Kellan said, unaware of her subtle observation.
He spoke deliberately. “For years, I’ve battled relentless headaches. I’ve seen countless doctors, yet no one can pinpoint the source.”
His tone shifted slightly as he continued, “What’s peculiar is that the only relief I find comes from your perfume. The one you crafted by hand. It helps me unwind at night and improves my sleep. I’ve been on the hunt for Scarlet Snake for ages, and I never expected to find the perfumer right in front of me.”
Kellan chuckled to himself, recalling their first encounter when Allison had maintained a straight face while bluffing. He had detected the perfume’s scent and thought it might lead him somewhere. Who would have guessed that the creator was standing right there, leading him on such a winding path?
“Who knew you had such a knack for spotting talent, Mr. Lloyd?” Allison teased with a light laugh. “Most people choose their perfumes based on the brand, but you pick them based on the artist.” She hadn’t anticipated such a twist, but knowing her perfume could ease someone’s pain was gratifying.
Whether it was the formula or the technique that made the difference, she couldn’t quite tell.
“I’m genuinely interested in inviting you to join Charisma Company,” Kellan stated, his gaze steady. “With your skills, we could elevate the brand to new heights. Naturally, I’d be more than willing to pay handsomely for any perfumes you create.”
The collaboration he proposed was more than appealing. Charisma Company had already soared in the market, bolstered by media exposure and Kellan’s influence. Investors were flocking, driving the company’s stock higher.
If Allison came on board, it would be mutually beneficial. But for Kellan, her presence held even greater significance.
“Mr. Lloyd,” Allison chuckled softly, her tone light yet playful, “We’ve crossed paths so often now, and I’d like to think we’re friends. If my perfume can help with your migraines, that’s wonderful news for me as a perfumer. How could I possibly charge a friend for that?”
She added a teasing lilt to her voice and casually pointed at the necklace around his neck.
“Besides, why complicate things? I admire your necklace – it’s truly beautiful. Why not just give it to me as payment?”
This keeps the sentence structure and meaning intact while improving the flow. Let me know if you’d like further adjustments!
Kellan had yet to speak, but the elderly butler behind him was visibly stunned by the revelation. “This necklace is the only keepsake left by Mrs. Lloyd. Long ago, she specifically stated that it was to be passed down to her daughter-in-law, as a symbol of the rightful lady of the house.”
Allison narrowed her eyes, surprised by the uncanny coincidence. Kellan’s mother’s keepsake mirrored the one her own mother had left her.
“This was indeed left by my mother.” Rather than answering directly, Kellan removed the necklace and, in a low, resonant voice, remarked, “Ms. Clarke, if you aspire to be the lady of the house, this necklace would suit you splendidly.” The old butler stood in stunned silence.
Was he dreaming?
He felt as though his heart might burst from the shock. It had been ages since he had seen Kellan wear such a relaxed smile.
Since Kellan’s return after years of isolation, he had been burdened with fragmented memories and deep-seated trauma. The butler could hardly remember the last time Kellan had cracked a joke.
In recent years, Kellan had seemed perpetually tense, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. But now, witnessing his easy banter with Allison, the butler noticed that Kellan appeared significantly more at ease. Even more surprisingly, Kellan was joking.
“Sir, you’ve never shown interest in those other women. Why are you so keen on presenting this necklace to Ms. Clarke today?” The old butler glanced upward, the sun shining brightly, yet an unsettling feeling lingered.
Kellan replied, “Because Ms. Clarke holds significance for me, and for Lorna.”
His demeanor was composed, making it impossible to decipher whether he was joking or speaking earnestly.
Allison couldn’t read his thoughts, so she remained oblivious to the butler’s inner astonishment. Instead, she gazed thoughtfully at the necklace for a few moments, her emotions swirling like a storm.
The necklace’s design and material were an exact match for her mother’s bracelet.
After years of scouring the dark web, she recognized the craftsmanship as one of a kind. Could Kellan’s late mother be connected to her own?
The thought sent shivers down her spine, prompting her to swiftly dismiss it.
“If this is so precious, I simply cannot accept it. As for the perfume collaboration, I’ll consider it over the next few days.”
Kellan didn’t press the matter further, calmly stowing the necklace away, though an inexplicable sense of regret washed over him. “Let’s go. I’ll walk you out.”
Troubled by everything, Allison drove off the moment she entered her car.
Kellan quietly watched her leave, only coming to his senses after her car vanished from sight. When he turned back around, he was taken aback to see the butler wearing a look of immense satisfaction, as if witnessing his son finally discovering love. In an unexpected move, Kellan felt compelled to clarify, “We’ve known each other for quite a while. That was merely a jest.”
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.