Chapter 88:

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As soon as Colton and Melany were gone, a quiet calm settled in. Kellan, ever composed, turned to his assistant Sherman with a steady gaze. “Something came up at the office. Go take care of it.”

Sherman hesitated, confusion flickering across his face. Hadn’t everything been handled already?

But the second he met Kellan’s sharp, unyielding gaze, he knew better than to protest.

“Got it!” Sherman chirped. He quickly scurried away, and as he did, Allison casually reached into her bag, retrieving a wet wipe to clean her hands.

“Thanks for the help, Mr. Lloyd,” she said, her voice smooth as silk.

“No big deal,” Kellan replied in his usual calm tone. They walked in sync toward the basement parking, their footsteps echoing softly.

The silence between them wasn’t awkward; on the contrary, it was comfortable, like they’d done this a thousand times before.

“Are you really just going to let that opportunity slip through your fingers?” Kellan finally broke the silence. “The Everett Group is the biggest name in advertising worldwide. They could be a valuable asset, you know.”

He knew Allison wasn’t one to follow the rules by the book.

It didn’t seem like her to let Colton have an easy way out, especially not when such a prize was on the line.

A subtle smile played on Allison’s lips, her expression carrying an air of mystery. “I always keep my promises, Kellan. But whether Colton can actually secure a deal with Mr. Blakely? That’s entirely up to him. I refuse to lift a finger to help.”

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The opportunity with the Everett Group held weight for the Stevens Group, but for Allison, it was just another card in her hand — one she didn’t mind discarding, not with the bigger picture she had in mind.

Besides, this matter involved Kellan. He had stepped in on her behalf, and while Allison knew he wasn’t one to shy away from conflict, things could get messy if tensions flared. People would inevitably start whispering behind their backs.

The last thing she wanted was to drag the Lloyd family into these legal battles.

Moreover, she hated owing favors.

Kellan didn’t need to hear her say it to know what was going on in her mind. He could always read her, and now, it was clear to him that she wasn’t giving up the opportunity out of any sense of duty.

“So, you’re pretending to go along with Colton’s wishes on the surface, but secretly, you’re setting him up for failure,” Kellan remarked in an all-knowing tone.

“I know Ferdinand; he might seem easygoing, all smiles and chit-chat, but once you cross him, that’s it. He’ll never work with you again.”

Given Ferdinand’s influence, one knew better than to trifle with him. The Everett Group had immeasurable power, capable of controlling the global narrative at Ferdinand’s whim. His instincts were sharp, and his strategic mind was leagues ahead of the average.

People in public relations always wore a friendly face, but behind closed doors, they were ruthless. They had the ability to destroy someone’s reputation with a single well-timed article.

“You catch on fast, Mr. Lloyd.” Allison smiled, appreciating the ease that came with talking to someone who understood without needing explanations. “I spent three years with Colton. The man’s completely oblivious. Probably because Mr. Blakely was too polite the last time they met. Even when he dropped Colton from the deal, he did it so smoothly. Colton probably thinks they’re still on good terms.”

But in reality, everything pointed to one fact: Ferdinand couldn’t stand men like Colton—shortsighted, reckless troublemakers who only cared about quick wins. Those types might enjoy immediate gains, but they’d never succeed in the long run.

“Even if Colton takes my spot,” she added with a knowing smirk, “who knows what will happen once the funding gets complicated? If things go south, it’ll all blow up in his face.”

Kellan smirked, his eyes gleaming with admiration. “You really are something, Ms. Clarke.”

Today, she had not only openly confronted Colton but had also set a trap for him. Her finesse was nothing short of impressive.

A satisfied smile curled on her lips as she looked at Kellan appreciatively. “Either way, I owe you. Thanks for stepping in today, Kellan,” she said sincerely. “If I had to handle those two clowns alone, things might’ve gotten a little… messy.”

Kellan raised an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes at her playfully. Was this woman serious? She always played the role of the damsel in distress, as though she weren’t the one orchestrating the whole thing.

In fact, Kellan had a feeling that if he hadn’t intervened today, Colton and Melany would have faced something far worse.

“Oh, drop the act,” he teased, though his tone carried a hint of sharpness. “Anyway, if you really want to thank me, why don’t you help me get rid of that poison? We’ve crossed paths enough times, and we’ve been through a lot together. Why is it so hard for you to trust me?”

Allison gave him an incredulous look, raising her hands in feigned innocence, as if playing dumb.

“What on earth are you talking about? Do I look like someone who’d be walking around poisoning people?” She let out a soft, teasing laugh. “Oh, that? That was a joke. I only gave you vitamin candy. Vitamins are good for you, you know? Wait a second. You didn’t actually think I was serious, did you?”

Where would she even find poison in that cave? There was no point in carrying poison around when she went out.

Allison never saw herself as the type to surrender. If it came down to the wire, she’d fight to the last breath. And if she did go down, she wouldn’t go alone.

Kellan blinked, briefly thrown off by her casual confidence, before realizing he’d been played. But instead of anger, a grin tugged at his lips.

“So, you’re just going to tell me all this upfront, huh? And you’re not worried I’ll snap? You must trust me more than I thought.” As he spoke, he casually pressed the elevator button, as though they were merely discussing the weather. “Need a ride home?”

“No, thanks.” Allison made a show of twirling her car keys in front of him. She knew he wasn’t offering her a ride out of courtesy; obviously, he just wanted an excuse to find out where she lived. “I’ve got my own ride, Mr. Lloyd. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you. Besides, we’re not close enough for rides home, are we?”

“Aren’t we?” Kellan arched a brow, his voice dipping low. “Have you already forgotten that night?”

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