Chapter 212
Inside the quiet lounge, Kellan carefully applied ointment to Allison's wound with a pair of tweezers, his gaze unwavering. "I've told you before that you can leave these matters to me," he said.
It wasn't just a polite remark, he murmured, his voice low and measured, each movement precise. "So, Ms. Clarke, if you ever encounter another madman like that, don't worry about what the media or anyone at the company might say. I'll handle it. Getting hurt over something like this isn't worth it."
If Sherman hadn't called him earlier, Kellan would still be buried in paperwork. But as soon as he heard Devin had caused trouble again, he didn't hesitate to step in. He had to. No one had expected Devin to be carrying a switchblade.
Allison seemed indifferent, brushing it off with a slight shrug. "It's just a small cut, Mr. Lloyd. No need to worry."
Kellan's jaw tightened. "Yes luckily, it is just a small cut." He couldn't let the fear and frustration show on his face. Everything had happened so quickly. One wrong move, and Allison would have been… He cut the thought short. If Floyd hadn't intervened, that knife could have pierced her heart.
"Is it really necessary to put on medicine for such a tiny scrape?" Allison asked lightly, propping her chin on her hand. "I think you're overreacting. And bandages, too? Isn't that going a bit far?" Despite her teasing, she watched intently as Kellan reached for the gauze with practiced precision. For someone who usually wore such a cold mask, his touch was surprisingly gentle.
"It's necessary," he said quietly, lifting his gaze briefly to meet hers. "And it seems you never take good care of yourself." A flicker of something passed over his face as he wrapped her wound with deliberate care. Beneath his calm exterior, turmoil brewed. He thought about his legs, the truth he had kept hidden for so long. Maybe it was time to stop pretending.
Once the bandaging was done, Allison withdrew her hand and offered a small, appreciative smile. "I'll take better care of myself. Thank you, Mr. Lloyd."
Just then, the door swung open, and Floyd stepped inside. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of Allison smiling and laughing with Kellan. It was the first time he had seen her so relaxed. Floyd's gaze dropped, and a shadow of loneliness crossed his face.
Kellan and Allison's conversation flowed naturally, his quiet concern matched by her lighthearted banter. They seemed perfectly attuned to each other, as if no one else existed in that moment. From Floyd's angle, Kellan looked as though he was leaning in for a kiss. The air between them felt so intimate that it almost seemed wrong to intrude.
Floyd's fingers tightened briefly around the door handle, but he quickly composed himself and knocked. "I'm coming in." His familiar, gentle smile returned as he addressed them. "Allison's wound doesn't look too serious, but since I'm a doctor, why don't I take over the bandaging?" He stepped forward, already reaching into the medical kit for gauze and scissors.
But Kellan moved his wheelchair slightly, just enough to block Floyd's path. "Our company's first-aid kit may be basic, but these scissors are quite sharp. It wouldn't be good if you accidentally cut yourself. A doctor's hands are invaluable, after all. Let me handle it." The words were polite, but the intensity in Kellan's gaze carried a clear pressure. The atmosphere shifted, tension thickening. Floyd's smile slowly faded.
"I appreciate your concern, Mr. Lloyd, but unlike amateurs, I won't injure myself. I know what I'm doing," Floyd retorted.
Their eyes locked in a silent clash, a standoff of wills. Floyd's gold-rimmed glasses caught the light, reflecting a faint gleam, while Kellan's presence grew heavier, more oppressive. Without breaking eye contact, Kellan reached out and smoothly took the scissors from Floyd's hand.
"It's no trouble," Kellan said softly, though a storm lurked beneath his calm tone. Allison's eyes darted between them. "There's no need for both of you to play nurse. We're almost done here."
She took the scissors deftly, cutting the gauze with a quick, precise snip. "This will do," she said, looking impressed by Kellan's bandaging abilities.
Kellan remained silent, still caught in the moment when her fingers brushed against his palm. A tingling sensation spread from his wrist to his heart, causing it to skip a beat. He stared at the cold glint of the scissors, then thought of Devin's switchblade. He wasn't a good person, and he had never claimed to be. But he knew one thing for certain: he couldn't bear the idea of something happening to Allison. Not even the smallest injury.
"It's just a minor wound. It'll heal by the afternoon," Allison said, trying to dispel the tension. "Mr. Lloyd, you've practically wrapped me up like a mummy. I'd be fine even without all this."
Kellan's eyes flashed with a deep, unreadable light. "I'm just concerned about you, Ms. Clarke."