Chapter 79:

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Kellan had yet to speak, but the elderly butler behind him was visibly stunned by the revelation. “This necklace is the only keepsake left by Mrs. Lloyd. Long ago, she specifically stated that it was to be passed down to her daughter-in-law, as a symbol of the rightful lady of the house.”

Allison narrowed her eyes, surprised by the uncanny coincidence. Kellan’s mother’s keepsake mirrored the one her own mother had left her.

“This was indeed left by my mother.” Rather than answering directly, Kellan removed the necklace and, in a low, resonant voice, remarked, “Ms. Clarke, if you aspire to be the lady of the house, this necklace would suit you splendidly.” The old butler stood in stunned silence.

Was he dreaming?

He felt as though his heart might burst from the shock. It had been ages since he had seen Kellan wear such a relaxed smile.

Since Kellan’s return after years of isolation, he had been burdened with fragmented memories and deep-seated trauma. The butler could hardly remember the last time Kellan had cracked a joke.

In recent years, Kellan had seemed perpetually tense, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. But now, witnessing his easy banter with Allison, the butler noticed that Kellan appeared significantly more at ease. Even more surprisingly, Kellan was joking.

“Sir, you’ve never shown interest in those other women. Why are you so keen on presenting this necklace to Ms. Clarke today?” The old butler glanced upward, the sun shining brightly, yet an unsettling feeling lingered.

Kellan replied, “Because Ms. Clarke holds significance for me, and for Lorna.”

His demeanor was composed, making it impossible to decipher whether he was joking or speaking earnestly.

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Allison couldn’t read his thoughts, so she remained oblivious to the butler’s inner astonishment. Instead, she gazed thoughtfully at the necklace for a few moments, her emotions swirling like a storm.

The necklace’s design and material were an exact match for her mother’s bracelet.

After years of scouring the dark web, she recognized the craftsmanship as one of a kind. Could Kellan’s late mother be connected to her own?

The thought sent shivers down her spine, prompting her to swiftly dismiss it.

“If this is so precious, I simply cannot accept it. As for the perfume collaboration, I’ll consider it over the next few days.”

Kellan didn’t press the matter further, calmly stowing the necklace away, though an inexplicable sense of regret washed over him. “Let’s go. I’ll walk you out.”

Troubled by everything, Allison drove off the moment she entered her car.

Kellan quietly watched her leave, only coming to his senses after her car vanished from sight. When he turned back around, he was taken aback to see the butler wearing a look of immense satisfaction, as if witnessing his son finally discovering love. In an unexpected move, Kellan felt compelled to clarify, “We’ve known each other for quite a while. That was merely a jest.”

The butler knew better; something had shifted. He couldn’t help but smile even brighter.

One was offering a necklace, while the other was refusing it. If there was something brewing between them, it was their affair to manage.

“Why share this with me, sir? I understand. We’ve all navigated these waters.” The butler gave him a knowing glance, as if he genuinely comprehended the situation. “Your taste is impeccable, but Ms. Clarke seems wary when it comes to matters of the heart. If you wish to win her over, it may take some extra effort.”

Kellan’s tone grew serious. “We are really just friends at this moment.” Yet, as he spoke, memories of that night flooded his mind. They had been intertwined in a way that was both intoxicating and addictive.

Even he struggled to define what he felt for Allison at this point.

All he knew was that whenever her name crossed his mind, his heart raced like a runaway train.

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