Chapter 254: Allison's eyes flashed coldly as she looked at Colton.

"Mr. Stevens," she began, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "shouldn't you at least have the decency to keep your word? But then again, if you'd prefer not to admit it now, I'm sure the audience will only continue to grow."

"Exactly!" Rebecca chimed in. "So, I suggest you apologize quickly before this gets even more embarrassing."

Colton was caught off guard by Allison's unflinching resolve. Off to the side, Melany frowned.

"Allison, don't you think this is going a little too far? Colton was your husband, after all. Publicly humiliating him like this is a bit harsh, don't you think? Yes, he lost, but he made that bet in the heat of the moment."

Melany felt a knot of frustration tighten in her chest. She had been wary of the wager from the start and had wanted to stop Colton, but it involved the jade, and Colton's confidence had blinded him. In her heart, she had hoped—prayed—that he would defeat Allison. But he didn't even crack the top ten! What an embarrassment!

Colton's expression darkened. "Sometimes, it's better to leave a way out. Besides, there was an unexpected issue during the competition. It threw me off." He wasn't about to admit his defeat, not to Allison.

But Allison wasn't about to let him off so easily. "Oh, so you're still refusing to own up, Mr. Stevens?" Her tone wasn't even surprised. "After all, we've already tried to squirm our way out of a bet back in Athton. But this time, I'm not going to let you walk away unscathed. Fine, suit yourself. But when more people gather, it'll be fun to hear you explain yourself in front of a bigger crowd."

As their voices continued, more onlookers started to gather. With Rebecca egging them on, the crowd swelled by the second. Colton's pride was on the line. Apologizing now would be like handing over his dignity on a silver platter, but the longer he waited, the more he'd be ridiculed. The murmurs from those nearby were already beginning to gnaw at his patience.

Melany finally blurted, "Allison, can't you show a little compassion?"

Allison met her gaze with a calm smile. "I'm afraid that's not something I can offer either of you."

With more eyes on him, Colton clenched his jaw. He knew there was no way out.

"Enough already!" he snapped. "I'll apologize!"

Colton knelt. "I'm sorry. I underestimated you." His only thought was to get through this ordeal and disappear as soon as possible.

But before he could even comprehend what was happening, Allison had snatched a megaphone from Rebecca and was already amplifying the moment.

"There's no need to make such a spectacle, Mr. Stevens," she called out, her voice booming through the megaphone. "Since you're offering…" Allison raised the megaphone to her lips. "If you offer a sincere apology, I'll be gracious enough to let bygones be bygones."

Colton, stunned, didn't have time to process the swift turn of events before the crowd's attention zeroed in on him.

"Wait, isn't that Colton Stevens, CEO of the Stevens Group? Is he really kneeling? To Ms. Clarke, no less? Weren't they married once? I heard them bet earlier. Colton swore he'd kneel if he lost. I didn't expect Ms. Clarke to be so formidable! Losing isn't the shameful part; it's his refusal to accept defeat that's cringe-worthy."

The murmurs only grew louder, and with each passing second, Colton's face drained of color. This was a level of humiliation he had never known.

"Allison!" Melany quickly rushed to his side, helping him to his feet. "You did this on purpose!"

Allison simply shrugged, her expression unbothered. "What else would you expect?"

Colton seethed, fists clenched at his sides. The growing crowd now included reporters, their cameras flashing, capturing his humiliation from every angle.

"You'll regret this!" he spat through gritted teeth, storming off with Melany close behind, not waiting for Allison's response.

Rebecca burst into laughter, unable to contain herself. "Running away already? What a sore loser!"

Allison's eyes narrowed as she watched them leave. "I assumed Colton or Melany might have been behind those rule-breakers, but now… it seems they aren't clever enough for that."