Chapter 7:

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Rebecca’s fury was palpable as she yanked Allison into the lounge area. “That Mason idiot should’ve been tossed overboard to feed the fish!”

Even though it was Allison who had dealt with the sleazy guy, Rebecca’s rage seemed to be burning through her. She was practically spitting nails, cursing out the guy’s entire lineage.

“Calm down,” Allison said, her demeanor as cool as a cucumber as she handed Rebecca a glass of wine. “Don’t sweat it. There’s not a soul on this planet who can touch me.”

“Of course that loser couldn’t,” Rebecca replied, still simmering. “After all, back when you were out 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 before the banquet kicks off, and the night’s young. Don’t keep your handsome guy waiting too long.”

“Alright,” Rebecca said. “I’ve got someone keeping tabs on Charisma Company for you. If anything pops up, just give me a ring. And those eight cool guys are still hanging around. Feel free to choose one after the banquet.”

Allison chuckled. “Will do.”

She was about to head to the venue early to catch a glimpse of the elusive figure behind Charisma Company when two familiar faces came into view.

“Ms. Clarke, hi, I’m Melany Johnson.”

Melany, dressed in a simple yet elegant white dress, had soft curls fluttering in the sea breeze.

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“I’m here to apologize. If it weren’t for Colton and me having that argument and me storming off to another country, you wouldn’t be tangled up in all this.”

Her voice was soft, her fingers intertwined with Colton’s as if claiming him as her own. “But we’re truly in love.”

Allison propped her chin on her hand and asked, “So?”

It seemed to throw them for a loop; Colton looked taken aback by Allison’s calm indifference. He drew Melany closer, wrapping his arms around her.

“So stop playing these games to get my attention. I don’t know how you managed to cozy up to Rebecca or find me here, but this charade ends now!”

Allison let out a laugh.

“Games? Let’s not forget that I have already agreed to meet you in the courthouse and prepared divorce documents. No matter how low I might sink, I wouldn’t stoop to going back to someone I dumped.”

Her words were sharp, with an unmistakable edge. After all, Melany had vanished on her wedding day, fleeing abroad with a note claiming her parents had forced her to. Then, as if by magic, she reappeared just as the Stevens Group was on the rise. The timing was just too perfect.

Melany’s expression wavered, but she quickly masked it with a sorrowful face, her eyes welling up. “Colton, I was forced back then.”

But Colton wasn’t really there. His mind wandered, his gaze locked onto Allison like a moth to a flame.

Her demeanor remained aloof, yet her smile was a burst of sunlight. It was a side of her he’d never glimpsed before — Allison, a rose with thorns, alluring yet perilous, leaving him feeling… rattled.

“Don’t forget to go to the courthouse tomorrow morning,” Colton said, his eyes still fixed on Allison, searching for even a flicker of regret in her expression.

But there was none. The love and longing that once burned for him had morphed into icy indifference.

“Sure thing. Just remember to keep your promise, Mr. Stevens,” Allison responded with a nod.

She’d faced her share of heartbreak and disillusionment. But after weathering the storm so many times, she’d learned to rise above it, treating it like a fleeting nightmare.

And now, it was time to wake up.

Colton felt unsettled. He couldn’t fathom her cold indifference.

“By the way, Grandpa’s being discharged from the hospital the day after tomorrow. He insists on seeing you.”

Allison took a leisurely sip of her drink. “Oh? Anything else?”

The subtext was clear — if there was more to say, spit it out now. Otherwise, it’d be best to leave!

Colton fell silent, his frustration evident.

Melany, sensing his irritation, spoke up softly. “There’s nothing more, but I understand it’s hard to let go. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble to show up. You see, Colton and I genuinely care for each other, so I hope you’ll bless us. And perhaps you could grace us with your presence at the wedding.”

Allison saw right through Melany’s thinly veiled motive. Melany, aware of her tenuous hold, wanted to extend an olive branch to Allison, the ex-wife, to appear magnanimous.

But Allison had already repaid whatever debts she owed and had no reason to endure any further discomfort.

“There are plenty of fish in the sea, Miss Johnson. Though it seems like you’re clinging to this one,” Allison said as she rose, a sardonic grin curling her lips.

“As for the wedding, I’ll pass. I wouldn’t want anyone saying the ex-wife turned into the other woman. That would be a bit of a pickle for Mr. Stevens.”

She tipped her glass, letting the drink spill freely onto the floor.

“Oh, and best of luck. May you two enjoy a lifetime of—”

Colton’s face flushed with anger. “Don’t come crying to me later!”

With that, he stormed off, Melany trailing behind him. Allison headed straight for the VIP area to change for the evening’s affair.

But as soon as she closed the door behind her, a gun was pressed against her side in the darkness.

“Don’t make a sound!”

Allison remained perfectly still, her calm only growing in the shadows.

She couldn’t see his face, but the tense muscles in his arm and the heat radiating from his body spoke volumes about his danger.

Without a hint of fear, she said softly, “Your hand is trembling.”

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