Chapter 84:After all, the events of so many years ago had been buried under the sands of time, and trying something now was like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.

Colton had no solid evidence, only his suspicions, and it was undeniable that Allison had once rescued the Stevens family from ruin.

Back then, he had felt as helpless as a leaf caught in a storm, and when the contract finally arrived, he felt like a life preserver thrown to a drowning man.

Still, Colton stood his ground, his voice cold and unyielding.

I won't deny that you did a lot for the Stevens family, but let's not forget that you chose to do it, he said, although the ghosts of old rumors flitted through his mind.

The whispers of that time still lingered: rumors about how the Lloyd Group had cast aside Allison.

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Kellan himself had kept her waiting, tied up in meetings all afternoon, before finally granting her an audience.

Only Kellan's assistant had been privy to their conversation, leaving everyone else in the dark about what had really happened.

Gossip spread and people found it hard to believe that a simple bottle of perfume had sealed such a deal.

Some said Allison had knelt for hours in Kellan's office, while others speculated how she got the contract.

Colton added: I haven't forgotten your generosity, which is why I made sure the divorce settlement reflected that.

Beside him, Melany let out an exaggerated sigh, her tone dripping with false sympathy.

Allison, you can't keep bringing up what you did.

No matter how much you sacrificed for the Stevens family, you can't use it to barter for favors.

That would bring shame to the family name, no.

His words were laced with venom, though he tried to maintain an innocent façade.

And back then, you were just a housewife.

You weren't even involved in business.

I doubt you even knew how to read business reports.

So what did you do to impress Mr.

Lloyd Business is not like blending a fragrance.

You're seriously suggesting that you got that deal just because of your looks.

Melany's words were sharp, directed directly at Allison, belittling her with every sentence.

Mistakes are mistakes, no matter the result.

Just because things went your way doesn't mean the way you did it was right.

Every word was a thinly veiled accusation, implying that Allison's success all those years ago had come at a questionable cost, and Kellan had played a role in it.

Allison's eyes narrowed to slits of ice, but before she could reply, Kellan's expression darkened and his brow arched in deadly amusement.

Miss Johnson, you have a great talent for telling stories.

If she's so attached to her tongue, she should be careful what she says, or I could make sure she becomes food for the beasts.

Melany turned her head toward him, her body trembling under the weight of his chilling gaze.

Kellan watched her like a predator watches its prey, his cold gaze enough to chill the blood in her veins.

His hands balled into tight fists as he tried to steady his breathing.

Mr.

Lloyd, I haven't said anything inappropriate.

I would never…how could I spread unfounded rumors.

Melany stammered, her voice shaking.

Kellan giggled softly, a sound lacking warmth and full of mocking amusement.

It seems that you have a talent for getting into other people's private affairs.

Since you like attention so much, I wouldn't mind if all of Ontdale saw how you snuck into a married man's life, sneaking through his door while his wife was still around.

His voice was quiet, almost too casual, as he supported the chin in hand.

Or, if that's not enough for you, you could let the world witness the most intimate chapters of your story with your foreign ex-husband.

Photos included, of course.

I am sure that everyone would be fascinated by such an exhibition.

His tone was calm, firm, as if he had always known what skeletons were in his closet.

Melany was left speechless.

Under the crushing weight of his gaze, he had no strength to continue arguing.

He knew his hands were far from clean, and with Kellan's huge influence in the media, especially after his recent alliance with that top-tier marketing company, he had the power to twist the truth as he pleased.

One order from him and her reputation would vanish like leaves in the wind.

But more than that, she realized that Kellan could ruin her on a global scale if he wanted to.

Their secrets would not only be revealed in Ontdale; he could expose her to the whole world.

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