Colton''s confidence crumbled as he took in Ken''s icy demeanor.


    In that instant, the cockiness he had carried moments before vanished.


    He suddenly remembered Ken''s reputation: a man not to be betrayed.


    Colton had first heard about Ken years ago.


    While dining out for a business meeting, he witnessed a man being dragged out of a restaurant and dumped out onto the freezing cold street, soaked and shivering.


    Colton’s supplier, watching with a mix of disdain and sympathy, had muttered, “Of all the people to offend, I had to pick that devil.


    ”


    Coltonter learned that Ken had ordered the man to be repeatedly dunked in subzero water in the cold winter, a brutal and cold-blooded act.


    The man''spany, once a fiercepetitor, disappeared from Ontdale soon after, vanishing without a trace.


    “Just because business isn’t going well doesn’t excuse ourck of decorum.


    We overstepped our bounds today,” Colton said, his breathing in gasps as he recalled Ken’s cruelty.


    With the image of the man’s fate vivid in his mind, Colton tried to salvage the situation.


    “We won’t take up any more of your time, Mr.


    Lloyd.


    ”


    But Mny wasn’t about to let him go that easily.


    She bit her lip and stepped forward.


    “Mr.


    Lloyd,” she began softly, her voiceced with mock regret, “it’s our fault.


    We shouldn’t have wronged Allison.


    If you’ve heard any exaggerated rumors that may have clouded your judgment, let me apologize on Colton’s behalf…”


    Before he could finish, Ken''s chuckle cut through the air.


    His lips curved into a smile, but his eyes remained as cold as ever.


    “What are you to apologize on behalf of someone else?” His voice dripped with disdain.


    “Even the Stevens family doesn’t have the right to offer me an apology.


    ”


    The words stung like a p, and Mny froze.


    The innocent, demure act that had always worked with others had no effect on Ken.


    “And as for the rumors,” Ken continued, his tone colder than before.


    “Considering that Miss rke is Emanuel Welsh’s esteemed teacher, I would naturally choose to believe her over the likes of you.


    ”


    Colton’s mind spun.


    Allison? The teacher of world-famous potter Emanuel Welsh? It was too absurd to believe.


    But Ken seemed utterly convinced.


    As Colton red at Mny, her words took root in his mind, further cementing his prejudices.


    He was now certain that Allison was behind all of this, plotting to ruin his ns.


    The coincidence of his presence here felt like a test.


    “Mr.


    Lloyd, you’re being lied to,” Colton protested, his voice gaining strength.


    “How can Allison be Emanuel’s teacher? No one knows her better than I do.


    You’re making up a ridiculous story, and sooner orter the truth wille out.


    ”


    Allison, unfazed, met Colton''s gaze and spoke calmly.


    "What if it''s true?"


    “If that’s true, then I owe you an apology,” Colton replied, unwilling to back down.


    “An apology won’t suffice,” Allison replied sharply.


    “In Athton we follow local custom.


    When someone’s reputation is ndered, the apology must be made on one’s knees, with three bows.


    Do you dare?”


    Colton smirked, his confidence unwavering.


    “What is there to…?”


    Colton was so sure of himself because he had meticulously dug into every detail of Allison''s past.


    There was no denying that she came from a modest rural background.


    Abandoned by her biological parents in the dark days of her childhood, she had been left on the doorstep of an orphanage like an unwanted package.


    She hadn''t even made it out of high school.


    Instead, Allison had been barely surviving on a barren ind.


    If fate hadn''t intervened in the most unlikely of ways, leading her to save Keanu, she would never have entered the Stevens family circle.


    How could someone like her possibly have ties to Emanuel, the famous master potter?


    Emanuel''s reputation was rock solid, forged over decades.


    He had always been a rebellious soul, rebellious to authority in his youth and disrespectful to elders.


    His art reflected his proud and solitary nature: untouchable, aloof and undeniably brilliant.


    Even now, in hister years, it was impossible for him to have be so feeble-minded as to make a clueless young girl his teacher.


    “But if you’re not Emanuel’s teacher and you’ve been deceiving everyone,” Colton looked at Allison and continued, his voice full of contempt, “then you should get on your knees and apologize to everyone here…”


    Before he could finish his petnt sentence, the kitchen door mmed open and a gray-haired old man stormed out, fury etched in every line of his face.


    "Who is this fool who talks such nonsense?!"