Allison ended the call and sat back in her seat, finally wrapping up any loose ends in the vi.


    As her hand cradled her head, preparing for a short break, her phone screen lit up with a new message.


    He unlocked the phone and saw that it belonged to Emanuel Welsh.


    “Allison, how am I going to survive without you? When will youe back to Athton to visit me?” A crying cat emoji followed,pleting her dramatic plea.


    A smile spread across Allison’s face.


    Keanu was always serious and stoic, while Emanuel had the energy of someone half his age.


    He was always up to date with thetest fashions and trends.


    Whatever young people adored, Emanuel embraced without hesitation.


    Before Allison could even think of a response, her phone began vibrating wildly as Emanuel called her directly.


    “Allison! You’ve abandoned this poor old man, rotting away in a quiet, lonely town? It’s been three years and you always dodge my invitations with your ‘busy, busy, busy’ excuses.


    I’ve been wasting away! You don’t even know how many people take advantage of me now that you’re not around to keep them in line.


    ”


    Allison instinctively moved the phone away from her ear, letting Emanuel''s rant reach its dramatic crescendo before returning it to her ear.


    What if people took advantage of him? Emanuel, who had built a reputation for being more cunning than others, was not exactly the most cunning.


    If anyone took advantage of others, it was him.


    But despite all hisints, Emanuel was like a naughty child: he loved jokes and getting attention.


    “Come on, Emanuel, who dares mess with you? Don’t they know you have a legion of students and apprentices spread all over the world? They would be petrified imagining someoneing after them with a carving knife.


    ”


    Emanuel snorted, more irritated than actually annoyed.


    “You don’t understand.


    I’m getting older.


    In my day, I could work non-stop for days.


    Now my hands are stiff and every pot, every sculpture… it feels like I’m repeating myself.


    There’s no emotion, no spark.


    The same thing over and over again.


    ”


    Art wasn''t just about talent, it was about inspiration.


    And that spark can be dulled by the hustle and bustle of life.


    Still, Allison knew Emanuel well enough to sense that wasn''t the root of his restlessness.


    He quickly moved on.


    ?Plus, there''s this guy.


    He won''t leave me alone, he keeps showing up like a stray cat I can''t get rid of.


    I swear I''ve tried everything to get rid of him.


    ?


    Allison raised an eyebrow.


    If Emanuel hadn''t kicked him out yet, he probably enjoyed hispany, even if he''d never admit it.


    Now that she no longer had to deal with Colton''s household chores, and hadn''t seen Emanuel in a while, Allison nced at her phone and quickly did the math.


    "Okay, I''lle visit you on Saturday.


    "


    Emanuel''s mood changed instantly.


    “Really? Don''t kid me, Allison.


    You''ve stood me up before.


    ”


    "I''ll be there.


    There''s no turning back.


    "


    After reassuring her a little more, he ended the call.


    As she made her way home, her thoughts began to swirl.


    Although Reba had been more than generous in offering her a ce to stay, Allison knew she couldn''t depend on her forever.


    Reba already had enough to deal with in her own life, and Allison''s extended stay would only add to that burden.


    The money Colton had given him – the four million and the vi – was but a drop in the ocean when it came to his real needs.


    It barely covered the costs of maintaining the hackerwork he had built.


    Her real assets, the funds and properties distributed by Vrining, had been tied up and frozen since she had walked away from that life.


    She was ready to leave it all behind when she married Colton, to settle into a simpler life.


    But life rarely goes as nned.


    Now, he needed to unlock those frozen assets.


    When Allison finally arrived at Reba''s house, she headed to the private room that had been reserved for her.


    Closing the door behind him, he quickly walked to the bookshelf and pressed a hidden button.


    Four hidden screens emerged from the walls, casting a soft blue glow over the space.


    With great precision, Allison navigated to a hidden website and initiated a series ofmands to regain ess to her secure ount.


    Her fingers moved quickly, entering passwords and executing lines of code.


    Screens filled with streams of data, and the code flowed seamlessly as she unlocked hidden reservations.


    IDs were changed, identities were verified, and secure pages were essed.


    It all happened in the blink of an eye.


    In the dimly lit room, bathed in the cold glow of the screens, Allison''s face reflected the same coldness.


    Her expression was focused, distant and devoid of emotion.