Keanu had lived long enough to see through the various types of people he encountered. With a sharp edge to his words, he joked, “Miss Johnson, let’s not pretend. The Stevens family wasn't a big name in your eyes. I know that's why you abandoned the engagement and eloped. You almost made us a laughingstock! And now, you waltz back in. Funny, isn't it? Now that we've been 'resurrected,' you're interested again. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?”
Keanu didn't mince words, unleashing his scolding without restraint. “You think you can fool me? I’d rather leave everything to Allison than let you take a single cent.” Melany’s face drained of color as Keanu’s words hit home. Colton instinctively pulled her closer.
“She had her reasons,” Colton said. “We were apart for three years, and now we can finally be together. How can you come between us? And, she's not after my money. Her family even wants to invest in the new business. All they want is for us to be happy. Grandpa, you're being unfair to her.”
As Colton spoke, his gaze briefly shifted to Allison. She sat unfazed, almost indifferent, as if this had nothing to do with her. Her calm demeanor only fueled his frustration.
Keanu was furious. “Don’t you dare mention those three years! You’re ungrateful! A fool, that’s what you are. You have no idea who truly cares about you.”
Keanu couldn't understand how his grandson could be so blind, having been so shrewd his whole life. His fury was palpable as he glared at Colton. “When you were sick, Allison stood by your side, day in and day out. And when our company was on the brink of collapse, who do you think confronted Kellan? That man is as unpredictable as a thunderstorm, yet she saved our company single-handedly. Do you think we would be where we are today without her?”
Keanu’s voice wavered as the memory of those days stirred deep emotions. Everyone in town knew Kellan’s temper, but Allison, young as she was, had somehow managed to handle him. Rumor had it she’d knelt outside his office for hours, pleading her case. Keanu never thought the day would come when Colton, after everything Allison had done, would treat her this way. His heart ached with a bitter mixture of sorrow and rage. “Have you ever heard the saying? Ingratitude never goes unpunished.”
Colton replied coldly: “I haven’t forgotten what he did for the family. That’s why I gave him four million and a villa. He has more than enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life.” He knew he owed Allison something, but in her eyes, he’d already repaid that debt. "Allison was a good woman, sure, but you can't force me to love her now."
As if sensing the weakness of his argument, Colton looked at Allison and added, almost pleadingly, “I know you love me, but I don’t feel the same way. You can’t force me to love you, and whatever game you’re playing with Grandpa, it won’t work. I’m staying with Melany, no matter how hard you try to break us up.”
Allison’s voice was calm but sharp. “Try to break us up? I haven’t even said anything.” To say she wasn’t hurt would have been a lie, but after the divorce, she’d distanced herself from those memories. Now, the situation seemed absurd. Maybe it wasn't Colton she had loved all those years, but the version of him from a time long ago—the one full of life, passion, and sincerity.
Colton caught the flash of anger on her face, but quickly hid it. It was like a slap in the face. “Take the money and leave. I’ll never be with someone like you…”
Before he could finish, Keanu’s patience snapped. In one swift motion, he raised his cane and slammed it hard into Colton’s back. The sharp sound echoed through the room. Keanu’s anger had boiled over. He struck without holding back, and Colton fell to his knees. Melany tried to run forward, but the butler blocked her way, his face expressionless. “Miss Johnson, it’s a family matter.”