Chapter 291

"Allison, didn't you say you'd come see me?" The young man stepped closer, his sapphire-studded sleeve shimmering under the chandelier light as he slowly removed the mask concealing his face. His tousled hair framed strikingly bright eyes, now brimming with unspoken grievance. He looked like a forlorn puppy as he gazed at her.

"Who would've thought you'd rather wear your own design to this dull gala than come find me to hang out?" His words alluded to a promise Allison had made to visit him at the Cobweb.

Allison paused, her expression shifting. She recognized him instantly: Gordon Herbert. Her frown deepened. "What are you doing here?" They had never met in person; their only interactions were through the Cobweb. She vaguely recalled mentioning a visit, but with recent pressures, it had slipped her mind. Even without seeing his face, their conversations had made his identity clear.

Allison's expression grew cold. She hadn't anticipated being tracked down by one of her subordinates. Sensing her wariness, Gordon quickly explained, "I wasn't stalking you, I swear. I didn't dig for information. I was already attending this charity gala, and when I saw you in that fishtail skirt… I knew it was you."

He'd always fantasized about his enigmatic leader's appearance, imagining someone serene and ethereal, with a presence as calm and unshakable as her voice. But her stunning beauty had taken him aback. The fishtail skirt, a detail she'd mentioned, had given her away. Because others were nearby, he'd avoided calling her "Boss," opting for "Allison." He couldn't hide the flicker of excitement beneath his calm exterior; they had finally met.

"If I wanted to track you down, I wouldn't have waited this long," he added, trying to ease the tension.

Allison's cold expression remained unchanged. Still, Gordon smiled, unfazed. "You're incredibly mysterious. Not just to me—probably even Mr. Lloyd would have a hard time digging up anything on you." There was pride, almost admiration, in his voice. He was, undoubtedly, her biggest fan.

Allison remained cautious, though his explanation was plausible. Gathering information on her within the Cobweb was nearly impossible, a fact she'd ensured as its founder by meticulously encrypting every detail of her identity.

"It's not just the fishtail skirt, is it?" Her gaze sharpened. "I didn't expect our first meeting to happen like this. It's… unexpected, to say the least." Allison disliked surprises. Gordon might be her top employee, but his easily securing an invitation to this gala suggested more to him than met the eye.

"You're really sharp," Gordon admitted with a sly grin. "But no, it wasn't just the dress. The serpent bracelet you're wearing is another giveaway. It's unique—something only we would know." He spoke with a knowing smile, a challenge aimed at Kellan. Unlike Kellan's cold demeanor, Gordon exuded warmth and enthusiasm.