Chapter 252: The crowd gasped in unison, rising to their feet as their eyes fixed on the spot where the advertising boards had stood. How could the organizers have overlooked such a blatant safety hazard? Complaints rippled through the stands, growing louder as tension mounted.
Amid the chaos, Allison, mid-slide, saw the two skaters who had fallen. The advertising board, which should have been securely anchored, hung precariously, causing their disastrous fall. The height of the drop, combined with the speed of the event, could easily have resulted in catastrophic injuries, or worse. If not for Travis's timely intervention, Allison knew she could have been seriously injured, or killed.
But what gnawed at her was the mystery: Why would a stranger risk his life for her? She was certain of one thingโTravis wasn't just any stranger. He knew her.
As the chaos unfolded, Allison approached him, her gaze locked on his goggles. "Who are you, really?" she asked, a growing sense of familiarity tugging at her. She frowned, gazing up at the man. His imposing six-foot frame loomed over her, his identity concealed beneath layers of gear.
In a low, measured tone, Kellan responded, "Ms. Clarke, it seems our paths cross again." At that moment, there was no longer any point in Kellan hiding. Given Allison's sharp instincts, she would have figured it out soon enough. "I would appreciate it if you could keep this between us," he requested.
Allison's mind raced as the pieces clicked into place. So, Travis Rivera was Kellan. Despite the voice modulation, the steady, authoritative presence could only belong to Kellan. The fact that he casually asked her to keep it a secret confirmed her suspicions.
"I see," she replied, nodding thoughtfully. "I appreciate the help. If not for you, things could have gone south very quickly."
It wasn't just Kellan's intervention; it was also Allison's quick thinking and their remarkable coordination that had averted disaster. Without it, the outcome could have been much worse.
As the debris was cleared from the track, the judges, after a brief deliberation, decided to resume the competition. However, the earlier mishap had rattled most of the athletes. Only Allison and Kellan seemed unfazed, racing with unwavering focus as if nothing had happened.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Allison crossed the finish line in first place, leaving spectators speechless. "She nearly got knocked off the track, but she sped up toward the end like nothing had happened! And Travis came in second! Who would've thought? If I'm not mistaken, Lemonade is actually that Allison who's been all over the newsโdivorced Colton, joined the Lloyd Group, and now this! Wow, she's unstoppable! A top-tier perfumer and a speed demon! Meanwhile, Colton didn't even make the top ten!" Word spread quickly that Colton had bet Allison that the loser would have to kneel in front of everyone.
This was about to get really interesting! Overhearing the whispers, Colton stalked off the track, his face a mask of bitterness. No one had expected his humiliating performance, and the sting of defeat festered like an open wound. But what gnawed at him most was the fact that Allison, once again, had bested him. Not only had she surpassed Travis, the three-time champion, but she had secured the top spot for herself. The more Colton dwelled on it, the more his frustration built.
With the crowd abuzz in the background, he marched toward Allison, determined to salvage his pride. "If those two hadn't fallen, I wouldn't have been thrown off my rhythm," he said, his voice sharp and cold. "This race doesn't count. We need a rematch."
But Allison wasn't listening. Her mind was elsewhere, consumed with thoughts about the two men who had crashed. They didn't move like professional skaters; their approach was too calculated. Assassins? Perhaps. But if they were, would they have been so easily thwarted? Colton's voice grated on her nerves, snapping her back to the present.
"Mr. Stevens, have you said enough? Please, move aside. I've got a medal to collect!" Her words hit him like a slap. Colton opened his mouth, ready to lash back, but something in Allison's demeanor stopped him cold. That frosty indifferenceโit was the same attitude she'd adopted since their divorce. While everyone else tiptoed around him, Allison had no qualms about cutting him down to size, time and time again.