Chapter 200: Upon their arrival at the restaurant, Floyd leaned his chin on his hand, taking great care as he served Allison a te of food with a flourish.


    Allison, I recall you had quite the affinity for celery back when we were in Vrining.


    Do you remember those days at the street stalls? Youd munch on celery like it was candy, and a lovely girl strolled by, saying you looked like a rabbit.


    As the memories flooded back, a helpless smile danced across Allisons face.


    How do you still remember that? I was just on a vegetable kick back then because your meat dishes were nothing to write home about.


    You tried whipping up a hometown specialty for me and almost turned the kitchen into a bonfire.


    We nearlynded ourselves in hot water.


    She teased him, How can you still have the nerve to bring that up? Laughter and ease hung in the air between the two, creating a bubble that seemed to exclude everyone else around them.


    Ken, seated nearby, listened intently to their nostalgic tales experiences that felt foreign to him and a growing irritation simmered within.


    He managed to put on a calm facade, though his insides churned.


    Ms.


    rke, given how chummy you two seem, I cant help but be curious about your rtionship.


    If her exes were as dim-witted as Colton, it might actually be good news.


    But the sly man across from Ken responded with a chuckle, Why dont you take a wild guess? Allison met Kens gaze with aposed smile.


    Mr.


    Lloyd, what do you think our rtionship is? Ken clenched his fists beneath the table, striving to maintain hisposure, but his mind was a nk te.


    Floyd, unfazed, added with deliberate casualness, You cant figure it out from how well we get along? Regardless of our closeness, we live in two different countries now, so weve drifted apart a bit.


    Ken raised his gaze and stated, Im also a good friend of Allison now.


    I can look after her just fine, so you dont need to fret.


    He didnt even realize how peculiar his words sounded.


    Is that so? Then Im relieved, Floyd replied, arching an eyebrow.


    Ken was indeed a possessive man, though he himself hadnt fully recognized it yet.


    Allison set her fork down and met his gaze.


    So, aside from being friends, is there anything else between you and me, Mr.


    Lloyd? Her deep stare was enchanting, effortlessly drawing people in.


    He stifled the flutter in his heart and lowered his eyes, concealing his feelings.


    And… we are business partners.


    She slowly withdrew her gaze.


    Indeed.


    With that response, a swirl of indescribable emotions washed over her.


    Absentmindedly, she poked her fork into the celery, creating tiny holes.


    He had thought he might have feelings for her, but he only saw her as a friend and a business associate.


    Perhaps that was for the best.


    The rest of the meal felt vorless to all three of them.


    Floyd nced at the gathering clouds outside and suggested, Allison, where are you staying? How about I give you a ride home? No need, Ken interjected coolly.


    My ce is quite far from hers, and we need to attend to somepany matters tonight.


    Allison frowned and asked, Whats going on with thepany? A security breach.


    I just got the news.


    Why does this keep happening? The memory of thest incident lingered in her mind, and she turned to Floyd.


    You should head back.


    I need to go to thepany to address the server issue.


    Floyd nodded.


    Its all good.


    You go ahead.


    You have your career to tend to, and Ill always support you.


    Ken suddenly realized that Floyd had a knack for seizing every opportunity to impress Allison.


    With a sour expression, he snatched up his car keys and headed to thepany alongside Allison.


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