Rebecca’s fury was palpable as she shoved Allison into the living room.
“That idiot Mason should have been thrown overboard to feed the fish!”
Although Allison had handled the sleazy man, Rebecca’s rage burned fiercely within her. She practically spat nails, cursing the man’s entire lineage.
“Calm down,” Allison said, her demeanor as cool as a cucumber as she handed Rebecca a glass of wine. “Don’t worry. There’s not a soul on this planet who can touch me.”
“Of course that loser couldn’t,” Rebecca replied, still simmering. “After all, when you were on missions in Qairyn, you were dealing with real, hardened criminals, not these pathetic excuses for human beings.”
Allison said, “So take a deep breath. There’s still half an hour until the banquet starts, and the night is young. Don’t keep your handsome boy waiting too long.”
“Alright,” Rebecca said. “I have someone watching the Charisma Company for you. If anything comes up, call me. And those eight cool guys are still hanging around. Feel free to pick one after the banquet.”
Allison chuckled. “I will.”
He was about to head to the location to scout the elusive figure behind the Charisma Company when two familiar faces appeared.
“Mrs. Clarke, hello, I’m Melany Johnson,” said Melany, dressed in a simple yet elegant white dress, her soft curls fluttering in the sea breeze. “I’m here to apologize. If Colton and I hadn’t argued and I hadn’t stormed off to another country, you wouldn’t be involved in all this. But we’re truly in love.” Her voice was soft, her fingers intertwined with Colton’s, as if claiming him as her own.
Allison rested her chin on her hand and asked, “So?”
This took them aback; Colton seemed surprised by Allison’s calm indifference. He pulled Melany closer, wrapping his arms around her. “So stop playing these games to get my attention. I don’t know how you managed to get close to Rebecca or find me here, but this farce is over now!”
Allison laughed. “Games? Let’s not forget that I’ve already agreed to meet you in court and have prepared the divorce papers. No matter how low I stoop, I wouldn’t stoop to going back to someone I left.” Her words were sharp, undeniably edged. After all, Melany had disappeared on her wedding day, fleeing abroad with a note claiming her parents had forced her. Then, as if by magic, she reappeared just as the Stevens Group was booming. The timing was suspiciously opportune.
Melany’s expression faltered, but she quickly masked it with a pained face and tear-filled eyes. “Colton, then I was forced.”
But Colton wasn’t truly present. His mind wandered, his gaze fixed on Allison like a moth to a flame. Her demeanor remained distant, but her smile was a burst of sunlight. Allison, a rose with thorns, seductive yet dangerous, left him feeling agitated.
“Don’t forget to go to court tomorrow morning,” Colton said, his eyes still fixed on Allison, searching for even a glimmer of regret. But there was none. The love and longing that once burned for him had turned to icy indifference.
“Of course. Just remember to keep your promise, Mr. Stevens,” Allison replied with a nod. She had faced many disappointments and disillusionments. But after weathering so many storms, she had learned to overcome them, treating them as passing nightmares. And now, the time had come to wake up.
Colton felt uneasy. He couldn’t understand her cold indifference. “By the way, Grandpa will be leaving the hospital the day after tomorrow. He insists on seeing you.”
Allison took a calm sip of her drink. “Oh? Anything else?” The subtext was clear: if there was anything else to say, say it now. Otherwise, it would be best to leave.
Colton fell silent, frustration evident. Melany, sensing his irritation, spoke softly. “There’s nothing more, but I understand that it’s hard to let go. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gone to all that trouble to come. You see, Colton and I truly love each other, so I hope you’ll bless us. And maybe you can honor us with your presence at the wedding.”
Allison saw through Melany’s thinly veiled motive. Melany, aware of her precarious position, wanted to extend an olive branch to Allison, the ex-wife, to appear magnanimous. But Allison had already paid off all her debts and didn’t have to put up with any more trouble.
“There are plenty of fish in the sea, Miss Johnson. You seem to be holding on to this one, though,” Allison said, standing up, a wry smile curling her lips. “As for the wedding, I’ll pass. I wouldn’t want anyone to say the ex-wife became the other woman. It would be a bit of a problem for Mr. Stevens.”
He tilted his glass, letting the drink spill freely onto the floor. “Oh, and good luck. I hope you enjoy it… for life.”
Colton’s face turned red with anger. “Don’t come crying to me later!” With that, he stormed off, Melany trailing behind him.
Allison headed straight to the VIP area to change for the evening. But as soon as she closed the door behind her, a gun pressed against her side in the darkness.
“Don’t make a noise!”
Allison remained perfectly still, her calm only growing in the shadows. I couldn't see his face, but the tense muscles in his arm and the heat radiating from his body spoke volumes about the danger. Without a hint of fear, she said softly, “Your hand is shaking.”