Ken had yet to speak, but the elderly butler behind him was visibly stunned by the revtion.


    “This ne is the only memento Mrs.


    Lloyd left behind.


    Long ago, she specifically dered that it was to be passed on to her daughter-inw, as a symbol of the rightful mistress of the house.


    ”


    Allison narrowed her eyes, surprised by the strange coincidence.


    The memory of Ken''s mother was identical to the one her own mother had left her.


    “Indeed, this was left by my mother.


    ” Instead of answering directly, Ken removed his ne and, in a low, resonant voice, said, “Miss rke, if you aspire to be thedy of the house, this ne would suit you splendidly.


    ” The old butler fell into stunned silence.


    Was I dreaming?


    She felt like her heart was going to burst from the shock.


    It had been ages since she had seen Ken sport such a rxed smile.


    Since Ken''s return from years of istion, he had been burdened with fragmented memories and deep-seated trauma.


    The butler could barely remember thest time Ken had cracked a joke.


    Over the past few years, Ken had always seemed tense, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.


    But now, watching him joke around with Allison, the butler noticed that Ken seemed much calmer.


    Even more surprising, Ken was joking.


    “Sir, you have never shown any interest in those other women.


    Why are you so keen to present this ne to Miss rke today?” The old butler looked up, the sun was shining brightly, but an uneasy feeling lingered.


    Ken replied, “Because Miss rke means something to me and Lorna.


    ”


    His demeanor was calm, making it impossible to tell whether he was joking or serious.


    Allison couldn''t read his thoughts, so she remained oblivious to the butler''s inner wonder.


    Instead, she stared thoughtfully at the ne for a few moments, her emotions swirling like a storm.


    The design and material of the ne exactly matched her mother''s bracelet.


    After years of trawling the dark web, he recognized the craft as unique.


    Could Ken''ste mother be rted to his?


    The idea made him shudder, so he quickly dismissed it.


    "If this is so valuable, I simply cannot ept it.


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    As for the coboration with the perfume, I will consider it in theing days.


    "


    Ken didn''t insist further and calmly put the ne away, although an inexplicable feeling of regret came over him.


    "Let''s go.


    I''ll go with you.


    "


    Worried about everything, Allison left as soon as she got into her car.


    Ken watched her in silence, onlying to when the car disappeared from view.


    When he turned, he was surprised to see that the butler had an expression of immense satisfaction, as if he were witnessing that his son had finally discovered love.


    In an unexpected move, Ken feltpelled to rify, “We’ve known each other for quite some time.


    It was just a joke.


    ”


    The butler knew something had changed.


    He couldn''t help but smile even wider.


    One offered a ne and the other refused it.


    If there was something between them, it was their business.


    “Why are you sharing this with me, sir? I understand.


    We’ve all navigated these waters.


    ” The butler gave him a knowing look, as if he truly understood the situation.


    “Your taste is impable, but Miss rke seems wary when ites to matters of the heart.


    If you want to win her over, you may have to try harder.


    ”


    Ken’s tone turned serious.


    “We’re just friends right now.


    ” Yet as he spoke, memories of that night flooded into her mind.


    They had been intertwined in a way that was both intoxicating and addictive.


    Even he had a hard time defining what he felt for Allison at that moment.


    All she knew was that every time his name crossed her mind, her heart raced like a runaway train.