Chapter 181
Kellan, as CEO, faced a mountain of tasks after only a few days away. Once he was sure Allison was well, he plunged back into his work.
Allison, however, had been bedridden for several days, regaining her strength. Feeling revitalized, her mind turned to the task at hand: sneaking around the Lloyd Mansion to find answers. But as she began planning, the door creaked open, revealing a small head peering through.
Allison was momentarily startled, but a smile quickly spread across her face. "Lorna, come here," she called warmly. Jim had taken Lorna to her room for a nap earlier, but now, wide awake and brimming with energy, Lorna stood there, shoeless.
Allison scooped the little girl into her arms, and Lorna snuggled in without hesitation. Allison glanced meaningfully at the rose garden. "Do you want to play in the garden for a while, Lorna?" she asked quietly. Lorna nodded silently.
"Alright then," Allison said with a quiet smile. "Let's go take a look."
The rose garden, in the southeast corner of the Lloyd estate, was unexplored territory for Allison. This seemed the perfect opportunity. The garden was a kaleidoscope of colors, overflowing with every imaginable rose variety from around the world. At its heart stood a glass greenhouse, shining like a hidden gem, complete with a whimsical small swing. The air was thick with the sweet, intoxicating fragrance of roses.
Behind the greenhouse, Allison spotted what looked like a hidden chamber, almost concealed by the dense foliage. It was so subtle it would be easy to miss. "Lorna, look at that," she murmured, strolling deeper into the garden, her fingers brushing the delicate petals. She plucked a rose and placed it behind Lorna's ear. They shared a quiet laugh, but the moment was interrupted by Jim's sudden appearance.
He bowed, blocking Allison's path. "Ms. Clarke, forgive me, but this area is strictly off-limits." Jim was aware of Allison and Kellan's close relationship, but this forbidden area, containing the remnants of Kellan's mother, was sacred and inviolate. No one had ever dared to enter. "Mr. Lloyd never lets anyone in here," Jim explained.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize," Allison said, with feigned innocence and raised eyebrows, as if just noticing her mistake. She offered a sheepish smile. "I must not have been paying attention."
Jim, unsuspecting, remained friendly. "Mr. Lloyd's never brought a woman here before, so no one outside the family knows about this area."
Allison was slightly surprised. A flicker of realization crossed her mind: Kellan didn't seem interested in women. Yet, in bed, he had always been relentless, seemingly possessing inexhaustible energy.
Without causing a scene, Allison decided to leave. "Lorna, shall we go get something to eat?" "Sure," Lorna readily agreed.
As dusk settled over Lloyd Mansion, night enveloped the estate. The maids, having worked tirelessly, retired to their quarters, leaving only the distant starlight and pale moonlight casting faint shadows.
Allison slipped silently through the rose bushes, easily locating the forbidden area. Her instincts told her the answers she sought were here. She removed a hairpin and used it to unlock the door.
The interior was a simple lounge, initially unremarkable. A few books, seemingly a woman's collection, were scattered about. The room contained a plush sofa, a delicate teapot on a table, and paintings on the walls. A framed photograph caught her eye.
Allison studied the photo. The woman radiated elegance and grace, her warmth making Allison feel enveloped in a spring breeze. Allison's instincts told her this was Kellan's late mother, and this was likely her private retreat.
She examined the photo closely, noticing with growing certainty that Kellan's mother did not resemble her own. "So, they aren't the same person after all," she murmured.
Her eyes fell upon a book on the bookshelf. She frowned and gently removed it. A thin photograph fluttered out. It was a group picture. Kellan's mother was with Kinslee and another woman—delicate features, a gaze as cold as winter frost. The three seemed close.
Allison froze, her heart pounding. "Mom…" she whispered, staring at the photo as if it might disappear. Her fingers trembled, her eyes welling up. There, in the photograph, was her birth mother. She never imagined her mother had known Kellan's mother, Gianna.
But the timing was significant. The year Gianna died, Kinslee fell ill, and her mother vanished. What dark secrets were hidden in that year? Allison took a deep breath, determined to find more answers.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps outside. She quickly returned the photo to the book and pressed herself against the wall, listening intently. The room was too small; anyone entering would see her immediately. She moved to the side, her thoughts racing. Her fingertips brushed against a small protrusion; instinctively, she pressed it. A barely audible click, and a cabinet door shifted, splitting the bookshelf to reveal a narrow, hidden passage. There was more to this room than met the eye! As the footsteps drew nearer, Allison slipped into the passage, disappearing into the shadows.