Allison's eyes remained fixed on Colton's slack jaw, completely ignoring Melany, who seemed like mere background noise.

"Funny, Mr. Stevens," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "how quick you are to spread rumors. It almost makes one wonder if you envy those who close deals using morephysical assets. Could it be that you're still stinging from rejection? Perhaps when you tried, no one took the bait?"

Her lips curved into a cold smile; her gaze pierced him.

"I'm not surprised all your partners are ancient relics," she continued. "You can't seem to handle younger, more attractive men, can you? You assume everyone shares your trashy tastes."

She mocked Allison, but Allison felt no need to defend herself. Defending herself had become tedious, especially to those who'd already judged her. Instead, she reveled in returning their toxic games, letting them stew in their own filth. People's opinions of her were merely reflections of their own twisted minds. Colton's assumptions only revealed the ugliness festering in his heart.

"Urgh" Colton groaned, trying to speak, but only muffled, pained sounds emerged. Noticing the knife in her hand was dangerously close to her tongue, Allison moved it slightly upward, a jolt of terror shooting down her spine. Her eyes widened in panic, silently pleading for Melany's help. But Melany remained frozen, a statue of fear.

"A-Allison You're crazy!" Melany stammered, her voice shaking as she backed away.

She watched in horror as Allison stood, each step deliberate, slow, and heavy with the inevitability of a coffin lid closing. Colton's desperate eyes meant nothing to her anymore. Self-preservation had kicked in. Melany stumbled over her words, trying to sound authoritative but failing miserably.

"Get away from me! What are you thinking? Are you seriously planning to murder someone in broad daylight? There are cameras everywhere. You won't get away with this!"

Her threats sounded like the moans of a scared little girl—utterly ridiculous to Allison.

"Relax," Allison replied, tilting her head. "I'm not doing anything drastic. I'm just having a little fun, giving you two a taste of your own cowardice. It's funny, isn't it? The loudest barkers are often the worst biters."

Colton's eyes turned steely, his tone hardening. "You want in on the Everett Group deal, don't you? Well, here's my proposal: smother that inflated pride, really swallow it, and maybe I'll take it into account." He let out a cold, disdainful laugh. "Money doesn't move me, but watching you two grovel? That's priceless."

As she stared at Colton, she realized the boy who'd once promised to marry her was gone, replaced by a sorry excuse for a man. Memory loss had robbed her of her past, but what remained was a thoroughly disgusting man.

Out of the corner of her eye, Kellan, who had silently observed the entire ordeal, wore a look of amused fascination. The way Allison had moved earlier—precise, sharp—hadn't changed. Allison was still the same: determined, demanding. She might play the part of an ordinary woman, but beneath the surface, her true nature was as sharp as ever. And it suited her. A gem as bright as hers wasn't meant to be soft. She was made to cut.

"Miss Clarke, why bother losing your position at the Everett Group for trash like them?" Kellan's voice dripped with condescension as he leaned casually on her hand. "Let them take you to trial. I'll ensure you have the best legal team in town. Trust me, Colton will be the one paying your damages when I'm done."

He wasn't bluffing. With his resources, winning would be easy, and turning the affair into a scandal dominating headlines for weeks would be even easier.

Allison sighed, her frustration evident. "Let's just leave it. A business isn't worth the effort. They're already pathetic enough."

Turning to Kellan, she added a mocking note to her voice. "Do you really think Mr. Stevens, with all his pride, would dare show his face after a woman beat him up?"

His words were salt on an open wound. His tone was light, but the sting was unmistakable. "He has nothing left. If anyone finds out, they'll laugh at him."

Colton sat there, his jaw hanging awkwardly, his eyes burning with fury and humiliation.