Colton’s voice dripped with cold disdain. “Mr. Lloyd, you may not know the whole story. Allison once saved my grandfather’s life, and then used that to marry me. She’s nothing more than an uneducated orphan who didn’t even finish middle school. How could someone like her understand something as intricate as pottery? Don’t be fooled by her act.”

Melany, always his shadow, shook her head pitifully, playing along. “Colton, that’s not fair. Allison’s been through a lot. And, well… she just got divorced. I mean, before the divorce…” Melany paused, then continued, “Never mind, I’m not going to get into that. But you’ve only been separated for a few days, and she already seems to be moving on.”

“All she’s ever had is her looks,” Colton snapped, his disgust palpable. “And now that she’s alone, she can’t bear the thought of fighting. What’s her plan? She’s climbing the ladder again, of course, and this time she’s fooled Mr. Lloyd with her lies.”

Allison’s hands stilled as she lifted her head, meeting his words with a blank stare. It was hard to hide her disappointment. It was one thing to realize someone had flaws; it was another to see them turn downright ugly.

Years ago, she’d saved Colton’s grandfather by pure chance. Back then, she’d clung to the hope that he would remember their bond. As children, they’d escaped kidnappers together, and he’d promised, “Someday you’ll be my wife, Allison.” She was the only one who’d kept that memory alive. Later, learning he had a lasting love, she’d walked away silently, believing their paths would never cross. But when Melany fled an arranged marriage and went overseas, Keanu pleaded with Allison to save his family. She agreed, stepping in where no one else could. Now, after three long years, Colton seemed to enjoy dragging her name through the mud.

A soft laugh escaped her lips. Any feelings she might have had for him died at that moment. Kellan, sitting nearby, sensed the change in her but remained silent. He knew Allison didn’t need pity; she was strong enough to stand on her own.

“Every piece of pottery in our house was made by me,” Allison said, her voice sharp but devoid of anger. “But I didn’t expect you to know that. You barely spent any time there, and when you were, you didn’t notice anything.”

“And as far as social climbing goes,” she continued, “I could never surpass Melany, even if I tried.”

Colton was momentarily taken aback. This wasn’t the reaction he expected. Allison wasn’t nervous or defensive; she wasn’t even angry. On the contrary, she was calm—too calm—making his earlier insults seem childish.

The truth was, Allison had never kept anything from him. But for three years, Colton had treated her as if she didn’t exist. In his mind, she was shallow and conniving, so why would she have noticed the changes in her house? Eventually, Allison had stopped trying. Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the clay she was working on had wobbled slightly.

“Is there anything else you wish to say?” he asked, meeting her gaze, his eyes cold as winter frost. What had been a peaceful day had been marred by her intrusion.

Colton was speechless. Allison had always been soft with him, easy to overlook. He’d never seen her like this: confident, distant, untouchable. Her presence weighed on him, making the air seem heavier.

Melany, meanwhile, still felt the sting of the slap Allison had given her earlier. The faint red marks were barely concealed under her makeup.

Kellan, watching, couldn’t resist adding his own scathing comment. “Mistaking a diamond for a piece of glass… It’s laughable how someone can throw away a treasure and hold on to something worthless.” His gaze shifted to the clay. “Allison doesn’t need to climb anyone’s ladder. She could build her own, and once she does, you won’t even have a foot on the first rung.”

Kellan’s low, high-pitched tone sent a chill through the room. “So either you spit out what you came here to say, or get out. Stop pretending you matter.”

He returned to his work, unwilling to let his day be ruined further.