?<strong>Chapter 445:</strong>


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    Ken sat close behind Allison, close enough to catch the subtle scent of her hair.


    The wind howled past their ears, filling their senses with a rush of freedom.


    Behind them, Colton stood watching, his face unreadable, dark eyes following them into the distance.


    Half an hourter, at a quiet stop on a mountain road, Allison sipped from a bottle of water.


    “How are you feeling?” she asked, looking out over the vastndscape, lights from nearby houses twinkling below.


    The peaceful scene brought back memories of her childhood when she used to envy other kids who had ces they called home.


    “Not bad,” Ken replied, his face giving little away, though his tousled hair told a different story—wind-swept and wild, a stark contrast to his usuallyposed appearance.


    At that moment, he looked like Turbo shaking off the dust of the track, stripped of his usual pretense.


    Allison smirked but kept her thoughts to herself.


    They savored the unusual calm until Allison rose to go. Ken, breaking the silence, said, “You know, Ms. rke, the mysteries around you keep me intrigued.”


    Allison turned, a smirk ying on her lips. “Funny. I’ve been wondering about your secrets too, Mr. Lloyd.”


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    For a moment, Ken said nothing, his eyes narrowing in thought.


    They bothughed, sharing a mutual understanding.


    Their rtionship had always been a challenge, a game of uncovering each other’s secrets, with no rules or finish line in sight.


    “I’m always discovering new sides to you, Ms. rke,” Ken remarked, stepping just close enough to subtly block her way.


    His ck shirt was slightly unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of his corbones, giving off an effortlessly maic charm.


    The soft glow from his wristwatch flickered in the dim light as he took a step forward.


    “So, how manyyers do you think you’re still hiding from me?” he asked.


    The night breeze tousled Allison’s hair as she gave a casual shrug.


    “People have plenty ofyers, Mr. Lloyd. Nothing surprising about that.”


    She moved forward with a few unhurried steps. Ken, though initially advancing, instinctively stepped back, letting her pass.


    Their gazes met briefly, a silent exchange of wit.


    “Why don’t you stick around and keep guessing? I’ll be on my way,” Allison quipped.


    Before Ken could fully process the shift, Allison was already on her motorcycle.


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