Chapter 294: The night was quite stunning, and the sea equally alluring.

"Are you planning a late-night swim?" Kellan's voice, unhurried and casual, drifted through the air as he looked up, his obsidian eyes reflecting an endless depth. But beneath the lazy tone lay a silent warning.

Kellan was more convinced than ever that Allison and this young man were more than just acquaintances, though the nature of their relationship remained veiled in secrecy. Allison's behavior around strangers was consistently courteous yet carefully guarded. She was polite, but a subtle wariness always marked her demeanor. Around people she knew, however, her body language softened slightly. It wasn't something most would notice, but Kellan had learned to observe such nuances. And it was glaringly obvious that Gordon was no stranger to her. Something was hidden between them, a secret impenetrable to outsiders.

"Swimming, huh?" Gordon finally acknowledged Kellan's presence. He was all too familiar with the unspoken rivalry between men, but intimidation wasn't in his nature. "Actually, I was hoping Allison could give me a few swimming lessons, but alas, I have a banquet to attend."

Neither man had bothered with introductions; neither particularly cared for the other's name. What existed between them wasn't curiosity, but an unspoken contest. Gordon had long known Kellan—the renowned president of Charisma Company, the man who controlled Ontdale's luxury market. But so what? He'd known Allison far longer than Kellan. And in his eyes, his family's influence was as formidable as the Lloyds'.

For the first time, Kellan found himself facing someone much younger and more defiant. Gordon, unlike Floyd, pushed limits relentlessly, never backing down. Kellan, however, suppressed his feelings, choosing to say nothing inflammatory in Allison's presence. This was not only out of courtesy but also out of respect for her freedom of choice. Whether her friends harbored ulterior motives wasn't for him to judge; it was her decision.

Yet, Allison wasn't one to let things slide easily. "Quit the act! If you don't know how to swim, no one does."

"Well, you swim better than I do," Gordon said with playful resignation. "If I could have the honor of personal coaching from you, I'd have no regrets left in life." He ignored Kellan's quiet but intense gaze. In fact, back when he was at Cobweb, Allison had occasionally asked him to investigate matters concerning the Lloyd family. Since then, Gordon had been particularly attuned to Kellan's presence, recognizing him as both wealthy and attractive—a rival worth taking seriously.

Then, unexpectedly, Kellan chuckled softly. "So, you're fond of Ms. Clarke, are you?" he asked, his tone as sharp as a knife.

The question, though surprising, didn't faze Gordon. "Of course I am. Only a fool wouldn't be. A woman as remarkable and captivating as she is bound to attract attention, but I suppose that's only natural. The men around her… well, I'm sure their only function is to please her."

The jab, thinly veiled as sarcasm, was aimed directly at Kellan. But Kellan's face remained impassive, cool as stone, though his eyes held a sharper glint.

"Is that so? It's unfortunate, then, that Ms. Clarke already has a companion for the evening."

Rather than being deflated, Gordon's grin widened. "So what? The best thing a man can offer is his ability to be… inclusive."