Chapter 36:

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“Colton!” Melany’s voice quivered, her eyes welling up with tears that painted a picture of deep humiliation. Gone was her usual softness, replaced by a pitiable beauty that anyone would want to protect. Her tears were a call for comfort, yet Emanuel was back in his house, clutching his prized tea set. Allison stretched and yawned with a detached air, while Kellan savored the unfolding drama. Only Colton, with a heart full of concern, moved to offer her solace.

Melany murmured, “In my heart, you are a true man. Even if you’ve been deceived, you shouldn’t have to kneel. You need to keep your pride.”

Colton’s emotions churned with a mix of bitterness and anger as he watched his beloved plead with Allison.

“Ms. Clarke,” she began, her voice strained. “Even though you and Colton are divorced, some dignity should be preserved, especially as he represents the entire Stevens family. I know I’ve wronged you, and I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me. I’m willing to kneel in his place.”

Melany poised herself to kneel.

“Though we were the ones who wronged you first, you’ve kept this hidden for three years. Perhaps you simply dislike me, but I hope that after kneeling before you today, you’ll reconsider making things difficult for us.”

Allison raised an eyebrow, almost applauding Melany’s brazen maneuver. What a master of shamelessness. Melany and Colton had lost a bet, yet they were trying to frame and guilt-trip others with tears and a kneel. If Allison didn’t know Melany’s true nature, even she might have felt a pang of sympathy.

Just as Melany’s knees were about to touch the ground, Colton grabbed her by the arms, shielding her as if she were being unjustly attacked.

Fury simmered in Colton’s eyes as he spat out, “Allison, I usually don’t lower myself to your level, but you’ve crossed the line! You’ve clearly set us up. For three years, you never mentioned your pottery skills or that you were Emanuel’s teacher! Were you planning this humiliation all along? Aren’t you afraid of the consequences?”

gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs﹒𝚌o𝗺 is where stories live

“I mentioned my interest in pottery a long time ago,” Allison responded calmly. “You simply didn’t believe me, or perhaps never paid attention, just like that ceramic dog I gave you.”

Colton’s memory flickered to the shattered ceramic dog, and his confident accusation wavered. A twinge of guilt crossed his face as he met Allison’s crossed arms and indifferent gaze.

“I’m genuinely curious about how someone can be so ungrateful like you,” Allison said, her tone laced with curiosity.

Colton’s fleeting sense of guilt evaporated. “You!”

Kellan chuckled softly. While everyone claimed he had a sharp tongue, Allison’s ability to counter was even more impressive.

Still, Colton’s fault in this situation was undeniable. Colton’s face flushed with anger as he struggled to find a retort.

“At the end of the day, this is all a misunderstanding. We were once married. Must you be so unforgiving? My grandfather always said to leave room for future encounters. You might need my help someday. After all, I am the CEO of the Stevens Group…”

It was a bet made in the heat of the moment, but Colton’s elevated status prevented him from kneeling so easily.

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