Chapter 18
Colton had already lost his focus once tonight on the yacht.
If Allison had seemed like a fiery rose, riddled with thorns, that day, her calm composure now made her look like the moon shining outside: soft and luminous, but equally distant and cold.
Once the initial awe wore off, all that remained was a feeling of profound unfamiliarity.
The Allison he once knew never bothered to put on makeup, and her eyes had been warm and kind.
Now, those same eyes were cold, as if he were a stranger to her.
There was no trace of affection left.
Not even bitterness.
For reasons she couldn't quite put her finger on, an inexplicable irritation flared within Colton.
Noticing his distraction, Melany grew frustrated, her eyes flickering with a hint of jealousy.
“Lindy, are you okay?” Melany stepped forward, her hand gently stroking Lindy’s back as if to comfort her.
“Allison, whatever our differences are, we should work them out between us.
How can you treat Lindy like that? She’s our oldest daughter.
Aren’t you worried about upsetting her?” Melany glanced at Kaelyn, giving her a silent signal.
Kaelyn noticed immediately.
“Exactly, Miss Clarke! How can you be so inconsiderate? You’re an orphan and you don’t have any parents, right? If the Stevens family hadn’t taken you in, would you be living the life you’re leading now? Even after Mr.
Stevens divorced you, he didn’t leave you empty-handed.
You walked away with four million! And this is just for an invitation, right? But here you are, causing the lady all this pain.
It’s clear as day that someone like you can’t hold a candle to Miss Johnson’s grace!”
Seeing how they teamed up, Allison wasn't the least bit surprised.
Kaelyn was Lindy's loyal lackey, and without Lindy's approval, she wouldn't dare act so boldly with Melany.
Lindy coughed softly, pretending to be someone deeply hurt.
"I'm fine.
Allison has always been respectful.
She wouldn't do something like that.
"
Kaelyn quickly added, “The lady has been so kind to you these past three years.This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
Even after the divorce, she treated you like a family member and gave you that bracelet…”
“Ah, the bracelet.
” A sarcastic laugh escaped Allison’s lips.
“If I’m not mistaken, that bracelet is part of a game, right? And the other one should be wrapped around your wrist, Kaelyn.
Tell me, has Lindy treated you like her daughter too?”
"What nonsense you are talking!"
Kaelyn's face drained of color, her voice shaking as she stumbled over her words.
"Ma'am, don't listen to this lunatic.
I'll throw her out right now.
How can we allow someone like her to make waves in the Stevens family?"
Allison laughed, her voice calm but cutting.
“You talk so straight, but it’s too much coming from someone with sticky fingers.
Of all the things you could have stolen, you went for Lindy’s favorite bracelet.
”
Kaelyn's face paled even further, and Allison continued, "What's it like, sleeping surrounded by stolen jewelry? I bet that box under your bed is so full of stolen items it can barely be closed.
"
Kaelyn was in shock.
She had been so careful that she never imagined her little activities would be discovered.
Her legs nearly gave out as she stammered, “That… that’s ridiculous…”
But Lindy was quick to notice.
She grasped the situation with razor-sharp clarity.
“Get out!” Lindy snapped, her voice cold.
“I’ll deal with you later!”
“Lindy, please don’t get upset.
This isn’t worth it,” Melany quickly tried to calm her down, but panic crept into her tone.
She had invested so much, bribing Kaelyn, Lindy’s maid, just to get close to the Stevens family.
Now, with a few words, Allison had gotten Kaelyn kicked out.
Allison turned her gaze to Melany, offering her a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
“I don’t need anyone’s approval to take back what’s mine.
And considering that someone like me, an orphan with no ties, could still get the Webway invitation…” Allison’s voice was casual, almost indifferent, as she spoke in front of everyone.
“Once married into the family, you should at least be able to manage that.
So, Lindy, there’s no need to worry.
With such a resourceful new daughter-in-law, the Stevens family will reach even greater heights.
”
Melany was speechless.
She had set the trap for herself.
Allison's words were a carefully placed thorn.
If Melany couldn't contribute anything meaningful, she would never hold her own within the Stevens family.
The gossip would never stop, and she would be constantly compared to Allison, always at fault.
Just thinking about it made his blood boil.
But Lindy's eyes lit up and a knowing smile spread across her face.
“Of course, Melany’s parents are more than capable.
Not only will they support their daughter, but they will surely also help the Stevens family prosper.
So, Allison, think carefully: are you really willing to break all ties with us?”
His words contained both a veiled threat and a promise.
A threat and a clear challenge, directed directly at Allison, while putting pressure on Melany.