Colton couldn't speak, his mouth hanging open in a stark expression of defeat. He stood, a picture of humiliation, acutely aware that no physical pain could compare to the public ridicule he'd face if this mess became known. People would tear him apart, mocking the man beaten by a woman. Kellan's considerable influence meant any business allies sympathetic to the Lloyd Group would surely distance themselves from the Stevens Group. The damage was already done.

"Is Mr. Stevens okay with this little arrangement?" Allison asked, her voice cold yet casual. "After all, you only took a few hits, and in return, you get the coveted opportunity to work with the Everett Group—the very reason you dragged yourself here today, isn't it?"

Her indifference was sharp, then she jabbed at Lindy. "You and Lindy, what a pair of fools. But at least you got what you wanted. I bet she'd be proud of her precious little boy, still under his mommy's thumb."

Allison knew Lindy and Colton's manipulative game all too well. Lindy didn't care about Colton; she merely used him. With a satisfied smile, Allison pulled out her phone, recording the pathetic scene unfolding before her.

"I'll give you three seconds. Whether you agree or not, I don't care. Three, two…"

At the final count, Colton, furious to the point of near-fainting, gave a small, reluctant nod. The Everett Group deal was too valuable to refuse. Though speechless, his rage burned like wildfire. He was in no position to defy Allison, not with Kellan at her side. But in his mind, he plotted his revenge, envisioning ways to make her suffer unimaginably.

Meanwhile, Melany felt a surge of panic. "Allison, don't you think you're taking this too far? Just because you got a deal doesn't mean you're untouchable," Melany snapped, frustration boiling over. She'd come to sabotage everything, to show Lindy that Allison couldn't be trusted. Seeing her plan fail so spectacularly, she seethed. "This is too much!"

Allison replied nonchalantly, "Oh? So you don't want the chance after all?"

Colton's eyes widened; he shook his head furiously. Melany, seething, could only mutter, "We… want him."

Thinking of Lindy's manipulative, contemptuous face, Melany tasted the bitterness of defeat. Allison laughed softly, her laughter laced with mockery. "You want it? And this is bullying to you? Honey, this is just the appetizer."

Kellan calmly put away his phone, the recording safely stored. "As I said before, I'm not one to forget a grudge. Betray me again, and I'll be asking for another round. Stay out of my way if you want to keep things civil."

Kellan's voice, laced with dry humor, cut through the tension. "Melany, instead of standing there pretending to be the victim, maybe you should take Colton to the hospital. Maybe they can save some of his fingers. After all, it would be awkward if Colton had to sign contracts with a hand full of deformed fingers."

Allison giggled, briefly imagining Colton awkwardly signing contracts with a mangled hand. Melany blushed, tears welling in her eyes. "You… you two…" she stammered, her usual tactic of crying failing her.

Neither Kellan nor Allison cared about her tears. Kellan remained impassive; Colton, writhing in pain, was in no condition to comfort her.

Wiping away her tears with a snort, Melany moved to support Colton. "Come on, Colton. Let's go to the hospital. You need to think this through; you can't just swallow your pride for a deal."