Chapter 249

Even Melany hadn't expected it. Despite Allison's recent cold and heartless facade, Colton still harbored some care for her.

Allison was blunt, her tone unflinching. "I don't care what any of you think. Falling for the wrong person and getting torn apart because of it—it's all behind me now." There wasn't a trace of hesitation or sadness in her voice, as though she had shed the weight of her past. Although, she added with a slight edge, "Some people seem to think they know me inside and out. Too bad they're not mind readers!" Her thoughts flickered to that winter day when she had tried to cheer up Colton by taking him ice skating. He had seemed to soften at first, the two of them skating in unison. But then, out of nowhere, without a word, Colton had told her to "Get lost!" and shoved her onto the ice. From that moment, Allison swore off extreme sports entirely, as if the memory had left a deep, unhealed scar in her mind.

Now, however, those wounds had begun to scab over. Colton no longer haunted her thoughts. When Rebecca suggested signing her up for the competition this time, Allison hadn't resisted as she had years ago. She embraced the challenge, welcoming the new chapter in her life. Then, as though something humorous struck her, she chuckled. "Some people do look like fools now. If they had any sense, they'd stop running their mouths. Who knows, I might even pity them."

Rebecca, ever the actress, adopted a high-pitched, teasing tone. "Exactly! Mr. Stevens is practically a charity case now. Allison, darling, you should go easy on him and stop rubbing salt in the wound." She then mimicked Melany's saccharine voice: "Oh, sweetheart, do you think I'm too soft-hearted?" Allison chuckled at her friend's antics. "What am I supposed to do with you? But yes, Mr. Stevens does seem rather pitiful. He might just lose his precious heir status soon…"

Though Allison's words were delivered lazily, almost casually, they cut deep, each syllable driving a dagger into Colton's chest.

"Allison!" Colton's fleeting guilt was wiped clean by his anger. "Do you dare compete with me? If I win, you'll return the family heirloom!" His words came through gritted teeth.

"And if you lose?"

"If I lose, the heirloom is yours!" Allison replied coolly. "Mr. Stevens, you're treating me like a child. No matter the outcome, you won't actually lose anything. How is that fair?" Allison sneered, her composure unshaken.

Rebecca, always ready to escalate things, threw in her own suggestion. "Exactly! If you lose, why not kneel and beg for forgiveness in public? How about that?" Her words dangled like bait.

Silence stretched between them as Colton considered her words. He hadn't forgotten that time in Athton when he had knelt, humiliated, to beg for forgiveness after a failed bet.

Melany, on edge, wondered what was really going on. She suspected Allison was out for blood, fueled by some twisted combination of jealousy and hate. How else could their paths have crossed so conveniently? Yet, the way Allison carried herself—calm, collected, unbothered—made Melany pause. Was there something they didn't know? But before she could voice her concerns, Allison spoke again. "Oh, I forgot. You've done this before, haven't you? Knelt, begged, the whole pitiful display. No wonder you're hesitant. It must have left a bit of a psychological scar."

Rebecca's laughter bubbled over. "Well, if you can't stomach it, don't play. Just stop pretending you're tough when you might be the weakest one here."

Colton's frustration had no outlet. His face darkened, and his voice dropped to a low growl. "What do I have to fear? Just because I've been busy with work and haven't competed recently doesn't mean I've lost my edge. I still participate in extreme sports. I won't be bested by someone with your limited experience!" The reason Colton agreed so readily was simple: he had watched Allison skate before. Graceful, yes, but slow, always struggling to keep up. She had never had the training he'd had. Beating her would be a walk in the park.

Allison's lips curled into a sly smile. "It's a deal, Mr. Stevens. Just don't try to back out later."

"You better not back out either!" Colton retorted, storming off with Melany by his side, his fury barely contained.

Melany hesitated, then leaned in closer to him. "Colton, don't you think Allison seems a bit… too confident?"

"She's always been stone-cold, never shows fear," Colton replied, his eyes narrowing. "Even if she's picked up a few tricks, she can't beat me." In competitions like this, where every second mattered, Colton trusted his skill. He'd been the best before; there was no way Allison could outpace him now.

"That's good." Melany wrapped her arms around him warmly. "Colton, once we secure the Ruby Jade, we'll keep it safe. You know Keanu's getting older, and it's too easy for someone to take advantage of him." Her words were a subtle nudge, a reminder of the stakes. They had to win today, secure the heirloom, and lock in Colton's position against the other heirs.

Colton's eyes hardened. "I will win. No matter the cost!"