Chapter 140:
Late into the night, after Kellan had wrapped up the last of his paperwork, he noticed a soft glow still coming from the lab.
He didn’t need to guess who was burning the midnight oil.
It was always Allison.
“You’re working late again, Ms.
Clarke,” Kellan said as he pushed the door open and walked in, frowning instinctively.
Allison was focused entirely on her computer, but she looked tired.
She hadn’t slept well last night, and here she was working late again.
“Staying up too late isn’t good for your health.”
Allison didn’t even bother glancing up, recognizing him immediately by the sound of his voice.
She swiftly tucked away a small USB drive, then stretched and turned her gaze toward him.
“And what about you, Mr.
Lloyd? Seems like we’re both in the same boat, burning the candle at both ends.”
She lazily stretched, finally peeling her eyes away from the screen.
Kellan handed her a cappuccino.
“The company’s auditing the accounts, and perfume orders have been flooding in, so I’ve been swamped.
I made you a shareholder, so it’s on me if you push yourself too hard.”
“Don’t worry about me,” she replied, taking a long sip of the coffee without hesitation.
“I just got carried away working on some fragrances.
Lost track of time, that’s all.”
Her words were only half true.
She had indeed been blending perfumes, but most of her time tonight had been spent hacking into Marc’s computer, copying hidden files, and attempting to access his main server.
Fatigue was starting to settle in, heavy like a thick fog.
“Thanks for the concern, though,” she added with a smile.
Allison had always been a lone wolf, and with the lab staff still not fully vetted, she wasn’t about to let her guard down.
The sharks hadn’t shown their teeth just yet, but she knew it was only a matter of time.
Kellan sat in his wheelchair, watching her pack up the lab equipment.
After a moment of silence, he said,
“Come on, I’ll give you a lift home.”
“No need.
It’s not raining, and my car’s just down in the underground garage.
I parked close this time.”
“It’s no trouble.
I’m heading that way,” Kellan responded, his tone steady.
Upon hearing this, Allison looked up, casting him a peculiar glance
“But the Lloyd estate and Muisvedo are in opposite directions.
Pretty sure you’re not heading my way.”
Classic Kellan! He effortlessly spun lies without skipping a beat.
Kellan didn’t flinch; he remained cool as ever under her scrutiny.
“Actually, I have business in Muisvedo.
So, it’s on the way.”
“Is that so?” Allison mused.
“Well, if that’s the case, I won’t argue.” After all, refusing now would only feel awkward.
Besides, she was here to build trust with Kellan, wasn’t she? Grabbing her bag, she flicked off the lights and prepared to leave.
“But Mr.
Lloyd,” she added.
“Why don’t you head down first? Lots of eyes around here, even this late.
You can wait for me in the garage.”
“Ms.
Clarke,” Kellan replied.
“You’re being overly cautious.
No one’s around at this hour.” He leaned back in his wheelchair, a subtle but chilling authority radiating from him.
“And if someone does want to start a rumor, I have ways of making them regret ever being born.”
Allison smiled.
“Just trying to avoid unnecessary drama, that’s all.
I’ll be down in a bit.”
“Fine,” Kellan replied, his face a mask of indifference, though something unreadable stirred behind his eyes.
“I’ll wait for you in the garage.”
Even as he wheeled out, Kellan’s thoughts were tangled.
Allison always kept a certain distance, like she was holding something back.
Last time, she insisted he not drive her, and now here she was again, keeping him at arm’s length.
It made him curious.
No, more than that — it made him want to figure her out.
Maybe he was even beginning to enjoy this strange push-and-pull between them.
Ten minutes later, Allison headed downstairs.
From the shadows of the first floor, Marc quietly emerged.
He watched her step into the elevator, his lips curling into a sneer.
“Allison, this is your last night here,” he muttered under his breath.
He was determined to see her out of Charisma for good!
.
.
.