Chapter 247: Kellan adjusted his mask when a commotion on the field caught his attention. Narrowing his eyes, he was surprised to see Allison, who had been taking time off, present at the event.

Turning to the newly arrived Ferdinand, Kellan remarked, "It seems you're quite cozy with that Green family girl."

Ferdinand shrugged and smiled casually. "Mr. Lloyd, don't tease me. You know my father is obsessed with setting me up with someone from the Green family practically every other day. But all that matchmaking nonsense? It's way over my head. I wasn't exactly in the right frame of mind last time, and I offended Miss Green. I've been meaning to apologize, but she already blocked and deleted me."

Kellan smirked faintly. "No surprise she stepped on you."

Ferdinand rolled his eyes, silently cursing Kellan's infuriating nature. It was a wonder anyone, especially Allison, tolerated him. "Dude, you should keep that mask on. That smile of yours is downright creepy!" Their playful banter was typical; neither took it seriously. "By the way, Ms. Clarke seems pretty chummy with you. Why didn't you step in when she got into that mess earlier?"

Ferdinand shook his head, already knowing the answer. "Ah, right. You're cold as ice. No wonder all the women in Ontdale steer clear of you. You don't know how to be proactive."

Kellan's face remained indifferent; his voice was slow and lazy. "Sometimes, jumping in just gets you smacked down, like what you just witnessed." He'd kept the secret of his leg injury under wraps for years, even competing under a pseudonym. Though he'd recently revealed it, he hadn't fully disclosed everything. Now, more than ever, he knew Allison and Rebecca could handle things without his intervention.

Ferdinand smiled teasingly. "Is that so? Then explain why you're always asking me to help Ms. Clarke with her problems. Seems like you're not far from getting caught in the crossfire yourself!" He left the thought hanging, amused by Kellan's evasiveness, wondering when his heart would finally yield.

Inside the arena, Allison was suited up and ready for action. Though she had competed internationally, this was her Ontdale debut. Colton, also geared up, glared at Allison from across the field.

Rebecca, impatient and irked, muttered, "Why does that idiot keep staring at us? Makes me want to gouge his eyes out!"

Allison replied coolly, "No need for that. It's not worth getting your hands dirty. Men like him—you give them attention, and they cling like glue." Her words dripped with irony. For three years of marriage, Colton had barely given Allison the time of day. Yet, post-divorce, he seemed fixated on her.

Before Allison could finish, Colton, fuming from being ignored, lost his composure. "Allison, I'm not here to take what's not mine. If you have any decency left, return the jade." He couldn't decide if it was the jade or Allison that gnawed at his conscience. All he knew was that her gaze unnerved him, shaking his confidence.

Allison let out a soft, mocking laugh. "If the jade belongs to the Stevens family, I'd gladly return it to the rightful heir. But tell me, are you really the heir?"