Chapter 206: You!

Devin’s grin froze, his expression hardening as rage surged through him. Allison lifted a hand to her head, drawing a shaky breath. Her thin, wavering voice barely carried across the small room.

“Stop the theatrics,” she said. “Just hand over the photo.”

Suddenly, she faltered, swaying as if struggling to maintain her balance. “Give me the photo, and the money’s yours,” she murmured weakly, cracking open her suitcase to reveal meticulously arranged stacks of cash.

Devin’s eyes locked onto the money; greed was unmistakable in his gaze. He didn't even try to hide it. He glanced at Allison’s fragile stance, a sly smile spreading across his face as he realized the drug was working.

“Alright, I’ll give it to you,” he chuckled darkly, inching closer. His hand reached out, fingers grazing her arm as he leaned in.

This café belonged to a friend; Devin knew the private room had hidden cameras. If he played his cards right, he’d walk away with more than just the cash—he’d have leverage, footage that would give him complete control over Allison. With a smirk, he pulled out the photograph and waved it mockingly.

“Relax, Allison. You’re not looking too well. How about I keep you company for a while? We can get comfortable, and then maybe I’ll hand it over.”

His fingers brushed dangerously close to her chest, but then a flash of steel sliced through the air. Before he could react, a sharp pain shot through his hand. He glanced down in shock, seeing his severed finger on the floor, blood spurting.

The reality hit him like a tidal wave. “Ahhh! My hand!”

Allison twirled the gleaming knife between her fingers with the calm composure of someone handling a pen. Carefully, she plucked the photograph from his trembling grasp, ensuring no blood stained it.

“You… you bitch!” Devin stammered, his voice a strangled mix of agony and disbelief. He raised his uninjured hand, but his strength was already failing.

Allison regarded him with chilling indifference as she packed the money back into her suitcase. He couldn’t even bend down to retrieve his severed finger. Helpless and humiliated, he could only curse through gritted teeth.

“You never took the drug. You were playing me the whole time,” he spat. He’d fallen into her trap, but how had she swapped the coffee? Allison’s gaze bored into him, cold and unwavering.

“I warned you,” she said. “Mess with me again, and it won’t end with just words.” She waved the photograph tauntingly, then closed the suitcase with a decisive snap. “Next time we meet, it might not just be a finger you lose—it could be your head.”

Her voice, steady and almost too calm, sent a chill down his spine. He saw it in her eyes: she looked like she’d killed before, and she’d do it again.

Devin stood frozen, paralyzed by fear. He watched, powerless, as Allison turned and strode out of the room, photo and money in hand.

Panting, he glanced at his bloody finger on the floor. Rage and pain surged through him. Gritting his teeth, he snatched up the severed digit, wincing as the pain flared. With his unsteady hand, he dialed a number.

“Hello? You owe me some damn money,” he growled as Melany answered.

Her voice was clipped, laced with impatience. “Did you succeed? Why are you calling me now?” This useless man kept bothering her for money when the job wasn’t done.

“Succeed my ass!” he shouted, tears of pain and frustration mixing with his sweat. “That bitch Allison cut off my finger! Do you hear me? I’m sitting here bleeding, and you’re talking about…” Devin wailed, explaining everything.

Melany felt her annoyance flare at his stupidity. Before she could scold him, he interrupted: “Miss Johnson, this is your fault… if it weren’t for your orders…”

“Oh, shut up!” Melany snapped. “If you hadn’t been so greedy, none of this would have happened. Don’t blame me for your stupidity. But you can still salvage this,” she added. “A woman who dumps her old boyfriend for money and wantonly commits violence could create quite a scandal, don’t you think? Even someone like you should be able to pull this off.”

Devin paused, then gritted his teeth. “I know what to do.” In his rage and thirst for revenge, he completely ignored Sherman’s and Allison’s warnings.

Melany’s lips curled in anticipation. “Good. I’ll contact some reporters to give you a hand.” She was planning to give Allison a taste of her own medicine; after all, Allison had used the media to expose her and Colton’s scandals. Now it was payback time.