Chapter 282: Then it's a deal.

Allison figured it was nothing more than a wager with no clear end in sight. After all, she possessed a treasure trove of secrets that Kellan would never fully uncover. Even the Cobweb operatives had failed to glimpse her life after she left school. Once she finished discussing the necklace, she shifted to another topic.

Lorna had a stroke of luck since the accident. Floyd mentioned that with another six months of treatment, she could nearly be her old self. But after everything she'd been through, she might not regain the same vibrancy as her peers.

Kellan reclined on the sofa, legs crossed. His thin lips were slightly pursed, revealing faint marks—evidence that he'd been bitten—along with lingering traces of blood.

"That's more than enough for me," he replied earnestly. He had never imagined Lorna would regain her speech. As he slipped the necklace back around his neck, he could still feel its warmth from Allison's touch.

Kellan had always been unpredictable. In recent years, his temper had soured, largely due to chronic headaches. This turmoil often left those around him trembling in fear. Yet, amidst it all, Allison's faint scent brought him unexpected calm. He was acutely aware of Allison's desire to meet his grandmother.

After discussing Lorna's situation, he broached another subject. "Grandma has been in the nursing home for a long time. Her moments of clarity are becoming rare. If you're interested in learning about the past, Sherman can escort you there," Kellan said matter-of-factly. "I've already informed them. You can visit without any issues."

"Thank you, Mr. Lloyd," Allison replied.

Allison felt utterly drained, especially after their recent kiss. It was as though he had drained her energy, leaving her exhausted. Holding steady, she took a sip of her tea.

"I hope her Alzheimer's can be cured," she said. "It might lead me to find out what happened to my mother." Her tone was calm, almost stoic. Years of crushing disappointments had taught her the value of managing expectations. Yet, after searching for so long, she finally caught a glimmer of hope. Perhaps she would uncover someone who knew her mother, and that thought brought her solace.

Setting down her teacup, she asked, "But why not bring her home for treatment? Why send her to a nursing home?" Her curiosity lingered. Why would the Lloyd family choose to send a sick elderly woman to a nursing home? Regardless of how well-managed it was, it could never rival the comfort of home and family.

Considering Kellan's sensitive and cautious nature, wasn't he worried about potential kidnappings? Rumors had long circulated about attempts to kidnap his grandmother for ransom.

"Grandma's situation isn't like Lorna's. After all, she is…" Kellan paused, his dark eyes growing ice-cold. "She is my father's mother." He insisted she stay in the nursing home from the outset. "I have no idea what he told her back then, but whenever she was brought home, she would become agitated."

Truthfully, if Kellan hadn't held significant shares and run his own companies, Brook would have likely let his illegitimate son, Hoyt, take over. To Kellan, he had been fatherless for a long time. Plus, bringing Grandma home for treatment would lack the professional equipment and staff to provide proper care, even surrounded by family. Kellan often found himself preoccupied with company affairs, leaving little time to care for Lorna, let alone his grandmother. So, it made sense to leave professional care in the hands of those who could provide it properly.

Allison grasped this immediately. She didn't press him about the darkness in his eyes when he mentioned his father. Every family had its shadows. She nodded, replying, "I will do my utmost to help your grandmother recover."

Kellan said nothing more. "I trust you." He turned his gaze out the window, lost in thought. Allison couldn't help but steal a glance at him. He lowered his eyes, buttoning his shirt, looking distant. Yet, his scabbed lips held a tinge of vulnerability.

It was hard to reconcile the image of him losing control over her words—claiming they were business partners—misinterpreting her intention as a desire to distance herself from him.

Allison studied Kellan's well-built physique under his fitted shirt and remarked thoughtfully, "You performed exceptionally well at the racing competition. No one would ever guess you had been in a wheelchair for years. You must have often participated in these competitions in private, right?" Though it was a question, her tone carried an air of certainty.

"It's merely a hobby," he replied. "I didn't perform exceptionally well. My younger brother is a real racing prodigy. I can't hold a candle to him." As Kellan mentioned his biological younger brother, his demeanor softened, and the tension eased.

"But I didn't expect you to be so impressive, Ms. Clarke."

Allison was taken aback, wondering if she had overthought the situation. However, his tone carried a warmth that was hard to ignore.

"Two competitors caused a ruckus that affected your performance. If they hadn't intervened, Mr. Lloyd, you would have claimed the championship."

"I was just lucky," she said modestly.

Neither of them revealed much as they tested the waters, circling each other like wary lions. The wager seemed to have begun, though it was clear neither was willing to fully reveal their strategy. They were evenly matched in skill, each holding back just enough to keep the other guessing.

"You were the champion, Ms. Clarke. I am convinced," Kellan said with a casualness that masked the intensity of the moment. When their eyes locked, Kellan felt the unspoken tension between them. They were playing a game of chess, each move calculated, each striving to unveil the other's secrets. The thrill of anticipation simmered in the air, a delicate dance of hidden cards and untold truths.