Colton had already lost his focus once that evening on the yacht. Allison, who had seemed like a fiery rose, riddled with thorns, earlier that day, now possessed a calm composure that made her seem like the distant, cold moon: soft and luminous, yet utterly remote. Once the initial awe subsided, only a profound sense of unfamiliarity remained. The Allison he knew never wore makeup; her eyes had been warm and kind. Now, those same eyes were cold, as if he were a stranger. Affection—even bitterness—was absent.

An inexplicable irritation flared within Colton for reasons he couldn't quite grasp. Noticing his distraction, Melany grew frustrated, her eyes flickering with jealousy.

"Lindy, are you okay?" Melany stepped forward, gently stroking Lindy's back. "Allison, whatever our differences, we should resolve them. How can you treat Lindy like that? She's our oldest daughter. Aren't you worried about upsetting her?" Melany subtly signaled Kaelyn, who immediately understood.

"Exactly, Miss Clarke! How inconsiderate! You're an orphan with no parents, right? If the Stevens family hadn't taken you in, would you be living this life? Even after Mr. Stevens divorced you, he didn't leave you empty-handed—four million! And this is just over an invitation? You're causing this woman pain. Clearly, you're no match for Miss Johnson's grace!"

Allison wasn't surprised by their alliance. Kaelyn was Lindy's loyal lackey; without Lindy's approval, she wouldn't dare act so boldly with Melany.

Lindy coughed softly, feigning deep hurt. "I'm fine. Allison has always been respectful. She wouldn't do something like that."

Kaelyn quickly added, "The lady has been so kind these past three years. Even after the divorce, she treated you like family and gave you that bracelet…"

"Ah, the bracelet," Allison laughed sarcastically. "If I'm not mistaken, that's part of a game, right? And the other one should be on your wrist, Kaelyn. Tell me, has Lindy treated you like a daughter, too?"

"What nonsense!" Kaelyn's face paled, her voice trembling. "Ma'am, ignore this lunatic. I'll throw her out! How can we let someone like her disrupt the Stevens family?"

Allison's calm but cutting laughter followed. "You talk tough, but it's rich coming from someone with sticky fingers. Of all things to steal, you chose Lindy's favorite bracelet."

Kaelyn's face went even paler. Allison continued, "What's it like, sleeping surrounded by stolen jewelry? I bet that box under your bed is overflowing."

Kaelyn was shocked. She'd been so careful; she never expected to be discovered. Her legs wobbled. "That… that's ridiculous…"

Lindy, however, grasped the situation instantly. "Get out!" she snapped. "I'll deal with you later!"

"Lindy, please don't get upset. This isn't worth it," Melany pleaded, panic creeping into her voice. She'd invested so much, bribing Kaelyn, Lindy's maid, to get close to the Stevens family. Allison had just dismissed Kaelyn with a few words.

Allison smiled thinly at Melany. "I don't need anyone's approval to reclaim what's mine. And considering that I, an orphan with no connections, could secure a Webway invitation…" Her voice was casual and indifferent. "Once married into the family, you should at least manage that. So, Lindy, don't worry. With such a resourceful new daughter-in-law, the Stevens family will reach even greater heights."

Melany was speechless. She'd set a trap for herself. Allison's words were a carefully aimed barb. If Melany couldn't contribute meaningfully, she'd never belong within the Stevens family. The gossip would be relentless; she'd constantly be compared to Allison, always found wanting.

The final paragraph needed significant context to make sense and was removed because it introduces a new character's perspective without prior introduction. The passage already ends with a complete thought.