Chapter 20:

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Keanu had lived long enough to see through every type of person who crossed his path.

With a sharp edge to his words, he quipped, “Miss Johnson, let’s not pretend. The Stevens family wasn’t some grand name in your eyes. I know that’s why you dropped the engagement and ran off to marry abroad. You almost turned us into a joke! And now, you waltz back in. Funny, isn’t it? Now that we’ve risen, you’re interested again. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”

Keanu didn’t mince words, delivering his scolding without restraint.

“You think you can fool me? I’d rather leave everything to Allison than let you get your hands on even a dime!” Melany’s face drained of color as Keanu’s words hit their mark. Colton instinctively pulled her close.

“She had her reasons back then. We were apart for three years, and now we can finally be together. How can you stand in the way of that? And you know what? She’s not after my money. Her family even wants to invest in the new business. All they want is for us to be happy. Grandpa, you’re being unfair to her.”

As Colton spoke, his gaze briefly flicked to Allison. She sat there, unbothered, almost detached, as if this had nothing to do with her. The sight of her calm demeanor only fueled his frustration.

Keanu’s temper flared. “Don’t you dare mention these last three years! You’re ungrateful! A fool, that’s what you are. You have no idea who truly cares for you!”

Keanu couldn’t understand how his grandson could be so blind when he had been so shrewd all his life. His fury was palpable as he glared at Colton.

“When you were sick, it was Allison who stayed by your side, day in and day out. And when our company was on the brink, who do you think faced Kellan? That man’s as unpredictable as a thunderstorm, yet she went alone to save our company. Do you think we’d be where we are today without her?”

Keanu’s voice faltered as the memory of those days stirred something deep. Everyone in town knew Kellan’s temper, but Allison, as young as she was, had somehow managed to handle him. There were whispers that she had knelt outside his office for hours, waiting to make her case.

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Keanu never thought the day would come when Colton, after everything Allison had done, would treat her like this.

His heart ached with a bitter mix of sorrow and rage. “Ever hear the saying? Ingratitude never goes unpunished.”

Colton, his tone turning cold, shot back, “I haven’t forgotten what she did for the family. That’s why I gave her four million and a villa. She’s got more than enough to live comfortably for the rest of her life.”

He knew he owed her something, but in his eyes, he’d already repaid that debt.

“Allison was a good woman, sure, but you can’t force me to love her now.”

As if sensing the weakness in his argument, Colton glanced at Allison and added, almost pleadingly, “I know you love me, but I just don’t feel the same way. You can’t twist my arm into loving you, and whatever game you’re playing with Grandpa, it won’t work. I’m staying with Melany, no matter how much you try to drive a wedge between us!”

Allison’s voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it. “Drive a wedge? I haven’t even said anything.” To say she wasn’t hurt would have been a lie, but after the divorce, she had distanced herself from the memories. Now, she found the situation almost absurd.

Maybe it wasn’t Colton she had loved all those years, but the version of him from a time long past — the one who had been full of life, passion, and sincerity.

Colton caught the flash of anger on her face, though she quickly masked it. It felt like a slap in the face. “Take the money and go. I’m never going to be with someone like you…”

Before he could finish, Keanu’s patience snapped.

With a swift motion, he raised his cane and brought it down hard on Colton’s back.

The sharp sound of the strike echoed through the room. Keanu’s anger had boiled over. He struck without holding back, and Colton crumpled to his knees. Melany tried to rush forward, but the butler blocked her path, his face expressionless.

“Miss Johnson, this is a family matter.”

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