Allison had no idea that some were eagerly awaiting her downfall. With a quick, practiced movement, she twisted Danny's other wrist, breaking it as easily as the first.
"You seem to have trouble understanding simple instructions," he commented coldly. Without hesitation, he struck him directly on the head with the glass in his hand.
Crash!
Glass shards and tequila rained down on him, mixing with the blood that immediately flowed from his forehead. Allison's expression remained stone-cold.
"Wake up and get out!"
Danny screamed in agony as he collapsed, soaked and humiliated. His face was a mess of blood, tears, and snot; his shattered wrists left him helpless.
"Psycho! Do you even know who I am?" he spat between gasps, his eyes blazing with venom.
"What are you doing standing there?" he shouted to his crew. "Beat her to death!"
A group of muscular thugs approached Allison, grinning like wolves.
"Now you've really messed up," one sneered. "You've pissed off the heir to the Mason family. They own the Cloudland Hotel in Ontdale. Even if you drop dead right here, they've got enough money to make you disappear."
Bottles were raised, the air thick with the threat of violence. Before anyone could react, Allison snatched a bottle from one of the men, slammed it on the table, and pressed the serrated edge against Danny's throat.
"So the Mason family has the money to cover it, huh? Tell me, how much is your life worth?" Her tone was calm, but the smile on her lips was icy.
Feeling the bottle's edge bite into his skin, Danny stammered, "You think you can… God, no! Help me! Please, I'm sorry!"
A thin line of blood ran down his neck. Danny's face turned ghostly white. This woman was crazy.
Satisfied, Allison dropped the bottle and kicked him to the ground. Turning to the cruise ship's steward, who had rushed in, she said with calm authority, "Take care of this mess. And make sure I never see anyone from the Mason family on board this ship again."
Danny, seeing the steward, assumed his rescue had arrived. With renewed arrogance, he stood up.
"Who do you think you are to order them around? My family has interests in this cruise line," he snapped, pointing angrily. "Well? What are you waiting for? Get her off!"
By then, a large crowd had gathered. At the railing, Colton frowned, while Melany whispered, "What if Miss Clarke gets kicked off the cruise?"
Before she could finish, the situation took an unexpected turn. The cruise director immediately ordered security to restrain Danny and his thugs. Then, to everyone's surprise, he bowed to Allison, his voice full of respect.
"Yes, ma'am."
Danny, restrained and livid, shrieked, "Are you all blind?!"
The manager's response was calm. "Ms. Clarke is the major shareholder of this cruise line. Anyone who disrespects her is no friend of ours." The crowd gasped. No one had expected the woman before them to be the largest shareholder of the prestigious Royal Princess cruise ship.
"This this has to be some kind of mistake!" Danny's face drained of color. He frantically bowed his head, pleading, "I'm so sorry, ma'am. I didn't know Please have mercy! My family we're partners" But the damage was done.
Allison's stiletto heel dug into Danny's toes with a slow, deliberate twist, the sound of crunching bones audible. Then, she casually tossed a black card onto the floor.
"You're right," Allison said, her voice as cold as a glacier. "Money can solve some problems. And the Mason family? The Royal Princess will stay away from you from now on."
The impact of her words hit Danny like a bolt from the blue. He was so stunned that the pain in his fingers faded into the background. All he could think about was the mess he had created. His grandfather had been very clear: strengthen ties with the Royal Princess. Now, he had not only ruined the business deal but faced a far worse fate at home.
Even Colton, leaning on the railing, stood frozen in disbelief, while his wealthy friends went from shock to amazement.
"Wait, are you saying that Colton's wife is the largest shareholder of the Royal Princess? I remember she was an orphan. How did she get so much money? This ship cost over $200 million to build!"
"Look, that's Rebecca, the only daughter of the Green family. Is Allison hanging out with her? She must be taking advantage of Rebecca for all she's worth."
"Most likely. The Green family's property empire is huge. Investing in the Royal Princess is probably just a drop in the ocean for them."
Melany sighed softly. "I envy Miss Clarke for having such a steadfast friend. I've been abroad for three years and, apart from you, haven't had any friends."
Colton snorted, irritated. "Ha, someone like her probably doesn't have any real friends. She's probably fooling the Green family, just like she's been fooling my grandfather."
His frustration warred with his affection for Melany. He couldn't shake the feeling that Allison had changed, or perhaps he was seeing her in a new light. He fought through his mixed emotions, grabbing Melany's hand.
"From now on, you will never be alone. I will always be by your side, and you will make many new friends."
Melany smiled softly, her fingers intertwined. "That sounds wonderful. By the way, Colton, your grandfather is being discharged the day after tomorrow. He specifically asked to see her. Maybe we should go and extend an invitation? And I would very much like to meet Miss Clarke to offer my apologies. Would that be okay with you?"