Chapter 32:

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Colton’s confidence crumbled as he took in Kellan’s icy demeanor. In that instant, the bravado he carried moments ago vanished. He suddenly remembered Kellan’s reputation—a man not to be crossed.

It was years ago when Colton first heard about Kellan. While dining out for a business meeting, he witnessed a man being dragged out of a restaurant and thrown into the freezing street, soaking wet and shivering. Colton’s supplier, watching with a mix of disdain and sympathy, had muttered, “Of all the people to offend, he had to pick that devil.”

Colton later learned that Kellan had ordered the man to be dunked in sub-zero water repeatedly in the cold winter—a brutal, cold-blooded act. The man’s company, once a strong competitor, disappeared from Ontdale shortly afterward, vanishing without a trace.

“Business not going well doesn’t excuse our lack of decorum. We overstepped today,” Colton said, his breath shaky as the memory of Kellan’s ruthlessness resurfaced. With the image of that man’s fate vivid in his mind, Colton attempted to salvage the situation. “We won’t take up any more of your time, Mr. Lloyd.”

But Melany wasn’t ready to let go so easily. She bit her lip and stepped forward. “Mr. Lloyd,” she began softly, her voice laden with feigned regret, “it’s our fault. We shouldn’t have wronged Allison. If you’ve heard any exaggerated rumors that might have clouded your judgment, let me apologize on Colton’s behalf…”

Before she could finish, Kellan’s chuckle cut through the air.

His lips curled into a smile, but his eyes remained as cold as ever. “What are you to apologize on someone else’s behalf?” His voice dripped with disdain. “Even the Stevens family doesn’t qualify to offer me an apology.”

The words stung like a slap, and Melany froze. The innocent, demure act that had always worked on others did not affect Kellan.

“And as for rumors,” Kellan continued, his tone colder than before. “Considering that Ms. Clarke is the esteemed teacher of Emanuel Welsh, I would naturally choose to believe her over the likes of you.”

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Colton’s mind reeled. Allison? The teacher of the world-renowned potter, Emanuel Welsh? It was too absurd to believe. But then again, Kellan seemed utterly convinced. As Colton glared at Melany, her earlier words took root in his mind, further solidifying his bias. He was now certain Allison was behind all this, scheming to ruin his plans.

The coincidence of her presence here felt like proof.

“Mr. Lloyd, you’re being deceived,” Colton protested, his voice gaining strength. “How could Allison possibly be Emanuel’s teacher? No one knows her better than I do. She’s spinning a ridiculous tale, and sooner or later, the truth will come out!”

Allison, unfazed, met Colton’s gaze and spoke calmly. “What if it’s true?”

“If it’s true, then I’ll owe you an apology,” Colton shot back, unwilling to back down.

“An apology won’t be enough,” Allison replied, her tone sharp. “In Athton, we follow local customs. When someone’s reputation is slandered, the apology must be made on one’s knees, with three bows. Do you dare?”

Colton smirked, his certainty unshaken. “What’s there to—”

Colton was so sure of himself because he had meticulously dug into every detail of Allison’s past. There was no denying it—she hailed from a modest, rural background. Abandoned by her birth parents in the bleak days of her childhood, she had been left at an orphanage’s doorstep like an unwanted parcel.

She hadn’t even made it past middle school. Instead, Allison had scraped by on a barren island, barely surviving by sheer grit. If fate hadn’t intervened in the most improbable of ways, leading her to save Keanu, she never would have set foot in the Stevens family’s circle. How could someone like her possibly have any ties to Emanuel, the world-famous pottery maestro?

Emanuel’s reputation was solid as a rock, built over decades. He had always been a rebellious soul, bucking authority in his youth and showing little respect for his elders. His art reflected his proud and solitary nature—untouchable, aloof, and undeniably brilliant. Even now, in his twilight years, there was no chance he had grown so feeble-minded that he would make a clueless young woman his teacher.

“But if you’re not Emanuel’s teacher and you’ve been pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes,” Colton looked at Allison and continued, his voice dripping with scorn, “then you ought to kneel and apologize to every single person in this room…”

Before he could even finish his smug sentence, the kitchen door burst open, and an old man with a shock of gray hair stormed out, fury etched into every line of his face.

“Who’s this fool spewing such nonsense?!”

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