Chapter 7
Rebecca’s fury was palpable as she pushed Allison into the living room.
“That idiot Mason should have been thrown overboard to feed the fish!”
Even though it was Allison who had taken care of the sleazy guy, Rebecca's rage seemed to burn inside her.
She was practically spitting nails, cursing the guy's entire lineage.
“Calm down,” Allison said, her attitude as cool as a cucumber as she handed Rebecca a glass of wine.
“Don’t worry.
There’s not a soul on this planet that 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 ahead of time to take a look at the elusive figure behind Charisma Company when two familiar faces appeared.
“Mrs.
Clarke, hello, I’m Melany Johnson.
”
Melany, dressed in a simple but elegant white dress, had soft curls that fluttered in the sea breeze.
"I'm here to apologize.
If Colton and I hadn't had an argument and I stormed off to another country, you wouldn't be involved in all this.
"
Her voice was soft, her fingers entwined with Colton’s as if claiming him as her own.
“But we’re really in love.
”
Allison rested her chin on her hand and asked, "So?"
This seemed to take them aback; Colton seemed surprised by Allison's calm indifference.
He pulled Melany closer and put 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 let out a laugh.
“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 go back to someone I left.
”
Her words were sharp, with an unmistakable edge.
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 all too 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 really there.
His mind wandered, his gaze fixed on Allison like a moth to a flame.
Her demeanor was still distant, but her smile was a burst of sunlight.
Allison, a rose with thorns, seductive but dangerous, leaving 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 in her expression.
But there wasn't.
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 already faced many disappointments and disillusionments.
But after weathering the storm so many times, she had learned to overcome it, treating it as a passing nightmare.
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, spit it out 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 really 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 tenuous position, wanted to extend an olive branch to Allison, the ex-wife, in order 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 as she stood up, a wry smile curling her lips.
"As for the wedding, I'll pass.
I wouldn't want anyone to say that 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 all your 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 pinned her against her side in the darkness.
«Don't make 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 he was in.
Without a hint of fear, she said softly, “Your hand is shaking.
”