Chapter 243
Kellan's voice, low and smooth as velvet, carried an alluring undercurrent as his eyes lingered on Allison. Though his face remained calm as still water, his hand unconsciously clenched. Allison responded with a wry grin.
"Oh, I believe you," she said. "After all, Mr. Lloyd, you've pointed out before just how valuable I could be to your grandmother and Lorna."
Beyond the surface, Allison was so tightly woven into the fabric of Charisma Company that any scandal involving her would significantly impact its value. Her seemingly offhand comment served as a reminder—more to herself than to him—that she needed to remain vigilant around this enigmatic and dangerously unpredictable man. Their connection, after all, was merely a practical alliance. Yet, despite knowing this, she couldn't ignore the strange quickening of her pulse whenever he spoke. This was unusual. People like them, well-versed in calculated detachment, didn't usually get entangled in emotions after something as fleeting as a one-night affair.
After a short pause, she quickly added, "That said, I should thank you, Mr. Lloyd, for showing up today just in the nick of time."
"It was nothing," Kellan replied, his eyes dark, as if suppressing thoughts best left unspoken. The soft, cooling evening breeze brushed their faces, while the dim streetlights cast long, thin shadows. For a brief moment, the shadows intertwined, mimicking the closeness of lovers. Kellan's gaze drifted from the intertwined shadows. He understood that Allison's words were meant to reinforce a boundary between them.
Glancing upward, he remarked casually, "My grandfather had only a passing connection with Keanu. But now that my condition is no longer a secret, it's only fitting that I pay my respects. Besides, in the Lloyd family, we're always surrounded by wolves. Expanding one's network never hurts in a place like this."
Kellan's reasoning was sound, his words hinting at the complexities and power plays within wealthy circles.
"I see," Allison responded, her smile forced.
Walking side by side, a heavy silence settled between them—a silence that felt almost comforting in its unspoken understanding. Allison still clutched the brocade box, her emotions in turmoil. For someone like her, who possessed the strength to face almost anything, this feeling of being cared for was foreign, something she wasn't accustomed to. The Ruby Jade inside, crafted with care and affection by an elder, was more than just a gift; it was a symbol meant to empower her with confidence.
Noticing her gaze on the box, Kellan broke the silence. "Even though you and Keanu aren't bound by blood, the bond you share is probably deeper than what most families can claim."
"He truly treated me like his own granddaughter," Allison admitted, her voice softening as she took a deep breath and gazed at the starlit night sky. "But I always knew I didn't belong with the Stevens family."
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Kellan's face. "Keanu wouldn't mind that. He just wants to see those he cares about happy—much like you."
Allison smiled in return. "Even though someone in your family may have ill intentions, I know your grandmother and Lorna only wish for your happiness and freedom."
It was true—Allison and Kellan were very much alike. They wore their coldness like a shield, but beneath it lay a fierce loyalty to the few they held dear. Her words about freedom tugged at Kellan's memory, recalling the night he'd revealed his most vulnerable secret to her. Even his surrender to a silicone mannequin seemed something Allison instinctively understood. Both had chosen to pretend nothing had happened afterward. That night, Allison had whispered something similar, urging him to stay true to himself and ignore the suffocating expectations of others.
Kellan's eyes grew serious. "You're right."
When they reached the parking garage, the moment to part lingered. Unexpectedly, they both spoke at once.
"This weekend… I…" Their words collided, and Kellan broke into a rare, helpless smile.
"Ladies first, Ms. Clarke."
Allison laughed, the tension easing. "I have some commitments next weekend, so I won't be able to teach Lorna. I thought I should let you know in advance."
"Quite the coincidence," Kellan responded smoothly. "I was planning to take Lorna out next weekend myself. I was actually going to suggest you take a break."
"Perfect," Allison said, waving goodbye. "Then I'll skip next weekend and see you the week after."
She didn't think much of it. Rebecca had recently signed her up for a competition, and she needed the time off to focus. Now divorced, Allison was intent on reclaiming her life. If her days with the Stevens family had been about playing by the rules, now she sought the freedom to write her own.
"See you, Ms. Clarke," Kellan replied, watching her drive away. Long after she disappeared from view, he stood lost in thought, contemplating the uncertain path ahead.