Chapter 140:
Late into the night, after Ken had wrapped up thest of his paperwork, he noticed a soft glow stilling from theb.
He didn’t need to guess who was burning the midnight oil.
It was always Allison.
“You’re workingte again, Ms.
rke,” Ken said as he pushed the door open and walked in, frowning instinctively.
Allison was focused entirely on herputer, but she looked tired.
She hadn’t slept wellst night, and here she was workingte again.
“Staying up toote isn’t good for your health.”
Allison didn’t even bother ncing up, recognizing him immediately by the sound of his voice.
She swiftly tucked away a small USB drive, then stretched and turned her gaze toward him.
“And what about you, Mr.
Lloyd? Seems like we’re both in the same boat, burning the candle at both ends.”
Shezily stretched, finally peeling her eyes away from the screen.
Ken handed her a cappino.
“Thepany’s auditing the ounts, and perfume orders have been flooding in, so I’ve been swamped.
I made you a shareholder, so it’s on me if you push yourself too hard.”
“Don’t worry about me,” she replied, taking a long sip of the coffee without hesitation.
“I just got carried away working on some fragrances.
Lost track of time, that’s all.”
Her words were only half true.
She had indeed been blending perfumes, but most of her time tonight had been spent hacking into Marc’sputer, copying hidden files, and attempting to ess his main server.
Fatigue was starting to settle in, heavy like a thick fog.
“Thanks for the concern, though,” she added with a smile.
Allison had always been a lone wolf, and with theb staff still not fully vetted, she wasn’t about to let her guard down.
The sharks hadn’t shown their teeth just yet, but she knew it was only a matter of time.
Ken sat in his wheelchair, watching her pack up theb equipment.
After a moment of silence, he said,
“Come on, I’ll give you a lift home.”
“No need.
It’s not raining, and my car’s just down in the underground garage.
I parked close this time.”
“It’s no trouble.
I’m heading that way,” Ken responded, his tone steady.
Upon hearing this, Allison looked up, casting him a peculiar nce.
“But the Lloyd estate and Muisvedo are in opposite directions.
Pretty sure you’re not heading my way.”
ssic Ken! He effortlessly spun lies without skipping a beat.
Ken didn’t flinch; he remained cool as ever under her scrutiny.
“Actually, I have business in Muisvedo.
So, it’s on the way.”
“Is that so?” Allison mused.
“Well, if that’s the case, I won’t argue.” After all, refusing now would only feel awkward.
Besides, she was here to build trust with Ken, wasn’t she? Grabbing her bag, she flicked off the lights and prepared to leave.
“But Mr.
Lloyd,” she added.
“Why don’t you head down first? Lots of eyes around here, even thiste.
You can wait for me in the garage.”
“Ms.
rke,” Ken replied.
“You’re being overly cautious.
No one’s around at this hour.” He leaned back in his wheelchair, a subtle but chilling authority radiating from him.
“And if someone does want to start a rumor, I have ways of making them regret ever being born.”
Allison smiled.
“Just trying to avoid unnecessary drama, that’s all.
I’ll be down in a bit.”
“Fine,” Ken replied, his face a mask of indifference, though something unreadable stirred behind his eyes.
“I’ll wait for you in the garage.”
Even as he wheeled out, Ken’s thoughts were tangled.
Allison always kept a certain distance, like she was holding something back.
Last time, she insisted he not drive her, and now here she was again, keeping him at arm’s length.
It made him curious.
No, more than that — it made him want to figure her out.
Maybe he was even beginning to enjoy this strange push-and-pull between them.
Ten minutester, Allison headed downstairs.
From the shadows of the first floor, Marc quietly emerged.
He watched her step into the elevator, his lips curling into a sneer.
“Allison, this is yourst night here,” he muttered under his breath.
He was determined to see her out of Charisma for good!
.
.
.