Chapter 295
Even if Allison were dating a dozen other men, it wouldn't change my feelings. Being the third wheel doesn't bother me in the slightest.
No one could have predicted Gordon's extreme reaction. If it had been a joke, it could have been dismissed, but the sincerity in his eyes made it clear he was serious.
Allison pinched the bridge of her nose, stifling a sigh. She should have anticipated this rebellious streak from someone his age. At least this conversation was private; if the charity dinner guests overheard, it would ignite a scandal.
"Instead of wasting time," she said, a subtle edge to her smile, "why don't we head to dinner?" It was like a blade hidden in silk. "Unless, of course, you'd prefer a cold-water plunge."
Gordon obediently nodded. "Relax, I was only joking. I promise not to create a scene."
He followed Allison to the event, though the prospect of mingling didn't excite him. Kellan couldn't shake the feeling that Gordon was more than he seemed—a key to Allison's buried secrets.
Just as they neared the banquet hall, a man strode toward them, a broad smile illuminating his face. "Allison! I've been looking everywhere for you! How…" No longer in his white lab coat, Floyd, in a sleek suit, looked impeccably professional. His gold-rimmed glasses caught the chandelier's soft glow, casting a warm light on his face. However, when his gaze flickered to Kellan and then Gordon, a subtle shift appeared in his eyes.
"What kept you?" Floyd asked, his voice calm and smooth, his posture composed, though he kept a distance from Allison.
Before she could reply, Floyd's smile widened. "Ah, of course. You've never been one for the chaos of these events. You must have stepped out for some fresh air." In truth, his mind was elsewhere, wondering how yet another contender had appeared at Allison's side.
Allison smiled. "You always know me so well." It then dawned on her that the two men were strangers. Taking on the role of mediator, she introduced them gracefully. "By the way, this is an old friend of mine." She didn't mention Gordon's name; in Cobweb, most used aliases, and she didn't know his real identity.
Gordon, unfazed, tilted his head with a mischievous grin. "Nice to meet you. I'm Gordon Herbert. Recently returned from abroad."
His words, though casual, held significance. Allison raised an eyebrow; "recently returned" was a fabrication—Cobweb's headquarters were in Ontdale. Yet, Gordon had revealed his true name.
Floyd, engrossed in research in Leswington and Vrining, wasn't familiar with Gordon's background, but sensed his privileged upbringing. "I'm Floyd Pierce, representing the MDH Pharmaceutical Research Institute."
Kellan, with cool indifference, cut straight to the point: "If I'm not mistaken, your family holds considerable sway. Your father's the mayor, and your mother runs a business empire."
The unspoken implications hung heavy: Gordon, the sole heir to such a powerful family, had the clout to move mountains. It was widely known he'd been raised overseas; even the tabloids had never photographed him. His sudden reappearance in Ontdale was bound to stir curiosity.
"It seems you know my family quite well, Mr. Lloyd," Gordon replied, a faint chill in his voice. He didn't bask in his family's legacy; he preferred to distance himself from the Herbert name, rejecting the gilded cage his parents had created. "Now that introductions are over, I look forward to future discussions."
Kellan gave a noncommittal nod. "Sure."
Floyd offered a measured smile. "I'd be interested in that."
Their exchange was civil, but the tension between them was palpable, like an impending storm.