From afar, they looked like the perfect couple. But beneath the surface, both were playing their own game.
As soon as Allison stepped out of the Stevens family’s villa, she dialed Gordon, her voice cutting through the line with an icy edge. “Any sign of Keanu yet?”
Earlier, she had been too preoccupied to notice the blatant lies, but she didn’t have the time to dwell on the fact that she had fallen for them. Keanu’s health, on the other hand, was no small matter.
Gordon quickly skimmed through his records and hurriedly reported his findings. “Mr. Stevens is in Etron. Looks like he’s actively avoiding the rest of the family, spending time on his own. He’s perfectly healthy-no medical issues to report.”
Gordon chuckled in amusement. “Not only is he fine, but he’s rather spry for his age. He even signed up for a skiing trip!”
Allison let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. At least Keanu was well-that was all that really mattered. She guessed he’d gone abroad out of frustration with her divorce from Colton.
With a resigned sigh, she accepted that some things just weren’t meant to be. She and Keanu, despite everything, were never destined to be family.
Back home, she began to pack. Rebecca, as always, was a step ahead, organizing everything as though they were preparing for some grand event. Allison rubbed her temples in mild frustration. “I’m just moving, not evacuating. Why does it feel like we’re preparing for the end of the world?”
When Allison had moved into the Green family’s villa, she hadn’t brought much, but now it seemed her belongings had multiplied during her time there. Rebecca had gone so far as to pack unopened kitchenware.
“I’m just worried about you living alone, and really, it’s not that much,” Rebecca responded, unbothered, her hands quick as she double-checked the boxes. She was only doing this out of concern for Allison’s well-being, and she wasn’t going to let the latter move unprepared.
“All right, but just so you know, everything here is from me. If you try to refuse, I’ll get angry!” Before Allison could argue, Rebecca called her over to help load the car. “Come on! I’m helping you move whether you like it or not!”
When they arrived at the house near Muisvedo, Allison understood exactly what Kellan had meant when he said the home security was “top-notch.” It was ironclad.
The villa was an impenetrable fortress, nestled comfortably among towering skyscrapers. The entire area was dotted with high-end private clubs-the kind only the rich and famous could afford-which was why security was so tight. Most people wouldn’t even be able to set foot on this street.
The villa itself was grander than Allison had imagined. Luxurious touches adorned every corner, from the elegant neoclassical facade to the pristine fountain in the yard, a miniature replica of the one at Bellagio. In a word, the place could easily be mistaken for a royal palace.
“Three hundred a month for this?” Rebecca quirked an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. She’d assumed the rent was for a high-end apartment-not a villa fit for royalty.
“Isn’t Kellan supposed to be some kind of business genius? Why’s he offering such a terrible rate on his own property? No one’s going to believe he’s renting this place for just three hundred bucks!”
Allison rolled her eyes, already dialing Kellan’s number. “Stop it. He’s just doing me a favor because of his niece,” she replied, brushing off Rebecca’s playful jabs as she listened to the line ring. As soon as the call connected, she came to her senses and blurted, “Thank you, Mr. Lloyd. I’m at the property, and the rate you gave me is truly a steal.”
With a chuckle, Kellan’s voice came through casually, “What are you thanking me for? If anything, I should be thanking you for the medicine. Anyway, are you free tonight? I’d like to take you out for dinner.”
Allison heard Rebecca’s audible gasp beside her. Rebecca tugged at her sleeve, her expression saying more than words ever could: You still think there’s nothing going on between you two?
Trying not to laugh, Allison cleared her throat. “Mr. Lloyd, you’ve already done so much with that generous discount. I couldn’t possibly impose on you more. Really, it was no trouble at all…” Her laugh was soft, attempting to gently decline his offer.
But Kellan wasn’t so easily brushed aside. Twirling a small gadget between his fingers, he leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face. “It’s not just about dinner,” he began, the amusement in his voice undeniable. “I forgot to mention that the villa’s equipped with the latest security system. Any intruders will trigger an alarm that notifies the Lloyd Group. The only catch is, the control panel is with me. I’ll need to drop it off.”
Allison paused. It was a good excuse-a very good one. She bit her lip, knowing she couldn’t wriggle out of this one. “Then, I suppose I’ll see you this evening, Mr. Lloyd.”
As soon as she hung up, Rebecca burst into a wide grin, practically bouncing on her heels. “Well, looks like dinner’s on Mr. Lloyd tonight!”
She looped her arm through Allison’s, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Come on, hurry up and finish unpacking! We’ve got just enough time to go shopping for a new outfit. It’s been forever since we had a girls’ day!”
Allison smiled, realizing how long it had been since she’d taken a break from work. “Okay, okay,” she said with a grin.
After gathering everything they needed for their outing, Allison and Rebecca headed to the SKP mall near Muisvedo. To their surprise, a brand-new Chanel store had opened.
“Look, a new shop!” Rebecca’s eyes lit up as she spotted the elegant storefront. “Let’s check it out.” Without waiting for a response, she strolled inside, her gaze immediately locking onto the gown at the center of the display.
“That’s haute couture. I remember seeing it on the runway. What do you think?”
Allison nodded, her expression calm but intrigued. “It’s stunning.”
It was Chanel’s signature piece of the season, crafted from luxurious satin that shimmered like liquid silk. Rhinestones sparkled along the hem, and a massive ruby – famously known as the Mermaid’s Tear – was embedded in the chest piece, a gem that had recently made headlines after its high-profile auction. Dresses like this were rarely seen in stores. Whoever owned this boutique had powerful connections.
“This one,” Allison said simply, handing her card to the saleswoman.
The saleswoman hesitated, her gaze flickering between the gown and Allison. “Miss, that’s a custom piece…”
“I know,” Allison began, but before she could finish, someone shoved her aside.
“This dress is perfect. Wrap it up for me.” A woman in oversized sunglasses pointed at the gown as if it were already hers. “It’ll suit my daughter beautifully.”
Rebecca’s eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Excuse me? Ever heard of ‘first come, first served’? We were looking at that dress.”
Rebecca couldn’t stand when people tried to walk all over her, especially when Allison actually wanted the gown. She turned to the saleswoman, her voice sharp. “Didn’t you hear? We were here first.”
The woman, Francene Deleon, slowly lifted her sunglasses, eyeing them both with disdain. “Just the two of you?” she scoffed. “You must be lost. Even the saleswoman doubts you can afford it. Why don’t you take a two-hour cab ride to the wholesale market? You might find something more… suited to your style there.”
Rebecca glanced down at her outfit and understood the saleswoman’s hesitation. She had been pulling long shifts at her father’s company, dressed in nothing more than a plain white blouse and black skirt. Hardly runway-worthy.
As for Allison, her wardrobe was filled with custom pieces, often designed by her personally, making it impossible for most people to recognize their value.
Rebecca smirked, her tone biting. “At least we don’t look like new money. By the way, those earrings you’re wearing? They’re from three seasons ago-Futuristic Technology, wasn’t it? They clash terribly with your outfit. Instead of throwing insults around, maybe you should focus on improving your own sense of style. Wouldn’t want anyone laughing at you.”
She turned back to the saleswoman, her patience wearing thin. “And you-what are you waiting for? Do I need to explain the basics of customer service? Honor the first customer who asked.”
But the saleswoman didn’t move. Instead, she slid Allison’s card back across the counter, her voice cold. “You two should stop causing trouble. You can’t just flip through a few fashion magazines and expect to jump social classes.” Then, she turned to Francene and bowed obsequiously. “Ma’am, would you like this dress?”
Francene laughed coolly, standing taller as if the situation had only affirmed her superiority. “See that? Some people dress the part, but they’ll never truly belong. No matter how fancy their words, they can’t cover up their cheapness.” She waved a dismissive hand. “I don’t have time for this. Wrap it up and tell me how much it is.”
She was already thinking of how perfect this gown would be as a wedding gift for her daughter, a piece that would cement her status in her future in-laws’ eyes.
“Ma’am, you don’t need to worry about them,” the saleswoman chimed in with a grin. “We get several people like this every day. They just look but never buy. They always say they need to think about it when it’s time to pay. I’ve seen it all before. Don’t let them ruin your mood.”
The saleswoman’s eyes filled with disdain as she continued, “I wonder when people like them will learn. If you can’t afford it, don’t bother stepping inside.”
The moment Rebecca caught wind of the saleswoman’s snide remarks, a fiery spark ignited in her eyes. “Who the hell do you think you are, talking down to people like that?!” she snapped, her sharp voice slicing through the air. Never in her life had she been so blatantly disrespected. Glancing up at the store’s sign, she pursed her lips in dissatisfaction and immediately called over the mall manager.
“What the hell’s going on with your mall these days? Has the Green family suddenly become unwelcome here, or have you just been hiring people without a shred of proper training?” she demanded, her tone icy.
The manager immediately broke into a nervous sweat. Wiping his forehead, he sputtered out apologies like a frightened mouse. “I’m terribly sorry, Miss Green. That store is new, and the hiring was rushed. It seems the staff training was inadequate. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of this right away!” Within moments, the store manager rushed out, his eyes locking onto Rebecca as if his life depended on it. Plastering on a warm, almost desperate smile, he hurried over to greet her. “Ah, Miss Green! What an unexpected honor-“
Rebecca cut him off abruptly with a sharp, bitter laugh. “Oh, I’m ‘Miss Green’ now? Wasn’t I just a poor nobody a second ago? In all my years, no one has ever dared insult me to my face. You must be quite proud of your training.”
The saleswoman’s face went deathly pale, her confidence crumbling in an instant. “B-boss,” she stammered shakily, “I-I didn’t mean to…”
She had completely misjudged these two women, mistaking their simple appearance for insignificance. Now, with her job on the line, she stood frozen in horror.
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.