Secrets Of The Neglected Wife: When Her True Colors Shine
Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Allison had no intention of accepting the bracelet.

As a high-end designer, she had a priceless jewelry collection.

Besides, she wasn't naïve enough to overlook the subtle weight behind Lindy's words.

With a silky-smooth smile, she changed the conversation effortlessly.

I heard Melany earned your approval as soon as she returned.

Colton told me he even had dinner with you and that you gave him your blessing.

That's how they ended up renewing their engagement, no.

Even with Lindy's usual poise, her expression fell slightly.

To Lindy, Allison was the smartest, hands down.

But being an orphan and without important connections, no matter how good-looking and capable she was, Allison didn't contribute much.

He didn't expect his son to be foolish enough to brag about those things in front of Allison.

As for Melany, well, she had returned from abroad with a good severance package and a family business that had become a successful farming empire.

She could, at least, support Colton in his endeavors.

But someone as cunning as Allison is much harder to control.

Lindy sighed, the sound of a chess player conceding a small defeat in a larger game.

I'm just a woman.

I have been away from company affairs for a long time.

In the end, I can only count on my son.

He made a small, calculated pause.

Melany is not as capable as you, and even after the divorce, you will always be family to us.

You're like my daughter, you know.

But if Colton's heart isn't in it anymore, there's not much that can be done.

Allison's smile widened, but it was a smile sharper than a snake's fang.

Lindy had a masterful way of talking.

twist the narrative.

Despite having kept Allison in the dark, he spun the situation as if he were a benevolent figure, as if he had been saving Allison from the disaster of a loveless marriage.

It was pure manipulation, wrapped in jokes.

Today, Allison saw it more clearly than ever.

There is no need for sentimentality, Allison said, in a polite but cold tone.

I'm a bit of a clean freak.

Now that Colton and I are divorced, I prefer to keep things clean.

Prolonging the matter is not my thing.

In addition to visiting Keanu today, I'm also here to disinvite the Cobweb event.

He had decided to quit the game.

The courtesy dance was over.

Allison's voice was firm, but the edge was unmistakable.

Since you consider me a daughter, let me meet Keanu.

Lindy's smile tightened and her previous warmth froze like a pond in winter.

Keanu is busy right now.

There's no rush, she replied, her voice colder and the temperature of the room dropping with her.

You received Spiderweb's invitation, and for that, the Stevens family is grateful to you.

But let's be honest.

What's the point of holding on to her? Without the last name Stevens behind you, you really think getting that invitation was a no-brainer.

Unlike Colton, Lindy knew how to keep her cards close.

He understood how critical Cobweb's intelligence network was to the company's survival.

"I truly have your best interests at heart, Allison," Lindy added with the air of someone offering a favor rather than a threat.

You don't have a family and holding on to that invitation isn't going to help you.

Why don't you hand her over and do us all a favor? Who knows? If you ever get in trouble, we might be able to protect you.

We all win, don't you think? You're still young.

Don't close every door on yourself and make things harder than necessary.

Although Allison had expected Lindy's veiled threat, it still gave her a cold shiver.

Three years of service, years spent at Lindy's side, preparing remedies for her when she was bedridden, taking care of her.

And this was the gratitude she received.

But Allison had always harbored a stubborn streak deep within her.

He raised his eyes, with a smile full of sarcasm.

The Stevens family can protect me.

Lindy looked at her, but something changed.

For the first time, she saw an edge in Allison's eyes that she hadn't noticed before.

Sharp, like glass ready to pierce even the thickest facade.

If Cobweb had actually extended that invitation for the Stevens family, Allison's voice remained calm, almost too calm, “I wouldn't have needed to get involved in the first place.

” There was a a slight hint of mockery in his words, and Lindy sensed it.

And even if it were for you, the name on the invitation is mine.

Now that Colton and I are divorced, the Stevens family has no claim on her.

Lindy nearly choked on her tea and her outward calm collapsed for an instant.

She hadn't anticipated that Allison would best her so easily.

A storm formed behind Lindy's eyes as she searched for a solution.

Cobweb was the largest intelligence network in the world.

Without them, the Stevens family would be blind, stumbling around in the dark while Ontdale publicists danced circles around them.

If only.

If only Colton had understood what was at stake before the divorce.

At that moment, the sound of the front door opening cut the air.

Mr.

Colton Stevens and Ms.

Johnson are back! Kaelyn's voice sounded from the hallway as she flung open the door.

Melany walked in, clinging to Colton's arm, with a syrupy smile.

Thank you.

But as soon as they entered the living room and saw Allison, they froze as if they saw a ghost from a past life.

Colton's eyes blinked in surprise.

It could be the same woman he had known so well.

There she was, in a simple green dress, no jewelry, but radiating an undeniable glow.

His appearance was more impressive now than on that luxurious cruise ship.

And those eyes, cold and distant.

They stirred something in Colton, something he couldn't understand, but that shook him more than he dared to admit.

.

.