Chapter 22:

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“Stop right there!” Colton’s voice boomed through the villa as he watched, in disbelief, while they stripped even the wallpaper from the walls.

He stormed inside, only to be greeted by a nearly barren space. The sofas were gone, the carpets removed, and even the grand crystal chandeliers had been taken down.

Years ago, Allison had handpicked every detail of this place, designing it meticulously to perfection. But now, it felt as if someone was erasing every trace of her. “Where the hell are the security guards?”

Colton’s face flushed with anger. “I pay them a fortune, and they can’t even keep the place safe for me?” As he fumbled for his phone, ready to call in reinforcements, the man leading the operation stepped forward, offering a courteous nod.

“I apologize, sir, but we’re not trespassing. This is all perfectly legal. Your ex-wife requested this, and we have full documentation. Everything’s being recorded by surveillance, so you’re welcome to verify the details anytime.”

Colton was at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected Allison to go this far.

Sensing his frustration, Melany wrapped herself around his waist, her voice soft and soothing. “Colton, don’t be upset. Allison’s probably just venting. I mean, you two were married. You should let her get it out of her system. A little decency never hurt.”

Her tone was sweet, but the smugness beneath it was undeniable.

“Besides, she’s an orphan. She took four million in the divorce, but after living like a society lady for so long, how can she go back to a simple life? Selling a few things is to be expected.”

Colton’s jaw clenched, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

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Sensing her moment, Melany added, “Honestly, it’s better to just let her have these things. You wouldn’t want to see her struggling, right?” Of course, the more they took, the better.

Melany’s eyes swept over the villa with satisfaction. The trick to keeping a man, she knew, was to quietly insert herself into his world. Once she became Colton’s wife, this place would be hers, and she would make sure it reflected her tastes from top to bottom.

After all, living in a space that had once belonged to another woman? That was unthinkable.

Colton’s brow furrowed, deep in thought. “I felt guilty toward her before, but this? She’s just showing her true colors, trying to claw her way into a life she never belonged in. Allison’s erasing the last bit of pity I had left. Even if she ends up penniless, I won’t feel a shred of remorse.”

As soon as those words left his mouth, the man in the suit gave Colton an odd look. He cleared his throat and answered a call, deliberately putting it on speakerphone.

“Ms. Clarke, everything has been arranged as you requested.”

Allison’s voice came through, calm and steady. “Good. Take the items to the auction house.”

Melany smiled, smugness oozing from her expression. “Looks like Allison’s got a little brains after all…” But before she could finish her thought, Allison’s cold voice cut through the air.

“And as I’ve instructed, auction anything that can be sold, and donate the proceeds directly to charity. As for the rest, destroy it. Don’t leave a trace.”

“Understood,” the man replied, his tone professional. He hung up politely, but the satisfaction on his face was unmistakable, while Melany’s smugness quickly turned to disbelief.

The others in the room, however, weren’t as composed. “Ms. Clarke is something else,” one of them chuckled. “That blue porcelain vase? Definitely antique. It could fetch a fortune, but she’s giving the money to charity.”

“Yeah, she said she didn’t want any of her things left in a ‘dirty place.’ Did you see that? Classy and generous.” Every comment felt like a dagger to Melany’s pride.

Just moments ago, she had confidently assumed that Allison was selling off everything to survive. But Allison wasn’t selling these things for her own gain. She was donating it all, and whatever couldn’t be sold, she was ensuring it would be destroyed — every trace of her life here, erased without a second thought.

Colton’s brow furrowed, deep in thought. “I felt guilty toward her before, but this? She’s just showing her true colors, trying to claw her way into a life she never belonged in. Allison’s erasing the last bit of pity I had left. Even if she ends up penniless, I won’t feel a shred of remorse.”

As soon as those words left his mouth, the man in the suit gave Colton an odd look. He cleared his throat and answered a call, deliberately putting it on speakerphone.

“Ms. Clarke, everything has been arranged as you requested.”

Allison’s voice came through, calm and steady. “Good. Take the items to the auction house.”

Melany smiled, smugness oozing from her expression. “Looks like Allison’s got a little brains after all…” But before she could finish her thought, Allison’s cold voice cut through the air.

“And as I’ve instructed, auction anything that can be sold, and donate the proceeds directly to charity. As for the rest, destroy it. Don’t leave a trace.”

“Understood,” the man replied, his tone professional. He hung up politely, but the satisfaction on his face was unmistakable, while Melany’s smugness quickly turned to disbelief.

The others in the room, however, weren’t as composed. “Ms. Clarke is something else,” one of them chuckled. “That blue porcelain vase? Definitely antique. It could fetch a fortune, but she’s giving the money to charity.”

“Yeah, she said she didn’t want any of her things left in a ‘dirty place.’ Did you see that? Classy and generous.” Every comment felt like a dagger to Melany’s pride.

Just moments ago, she had confidently assumed that Allison was selling off everything to survive. But Allison wasn’t selling these things for her own gain. She was donating it all, and whatever couldn’t be sold, she was ensuring it would be destroyed — every trace of her life here, erased without a second thought.

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