?<strong>Chapter 462:</strong>


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    Ken slid off his suit jacket and, with an air of distaste, took out a sanitizing spray, misting the ck chair with careful precision. When his eyes lifted again, they were coldly mocking. “Let’s make this in. Get out.”


    His tone left no room for arguing. The message was as blunt as it was final.


    Carole’s smile faltered, her perfect facade cracking. Saying nothing, she grabbed her bag, her reddening eyes cast down as she turned on her heel, her four-inch heels tapping sharply as she left.


    Ignoring the tension that hung in the room, Allison simply waited for Ken to finish signing, then stamped the document with a bright red seal.


    “With that, I’ll be on my way,” she said, gathering her things to leave.


    But Ken took a step toward her.


    “Ms. rke, aren’t you at all curious about my connection to that woman?”


    When Ken had first walked in, he had worried Carole might blurt out something indiscreet. But he noticed Allison had remained unfazed the entire time, even showing hints of amusement. It dawned on him — she didn’t care to know!


    Or perhaps, since parting that night, they had simply drifted farther and farther apart.


    “Curious? No.”


    Allison’s expression was unreadable.


    “After all, I can see you wouldn’t bother with someone so… simplistic.”


    It wasn’t a matter of trust in Ken. Rather, it was their fundamental simrity that she relied on.


    Her words seemed to slice through the charged air surrounding him.


    He responded slowly, “We were set up for an engagement as kids, but that’s long in the past. The engagement was called off, and I rarely cross paths with her now.”


    “Mr. Lloyd, there’s no need to rify.”


    “For me, there is.”


    Allison had the faintest impression—maybe it was just a fleeting thought—that he looked more dangerous than ever.


    As he leaned closer, his subtle woody fragrance filled the small space between them, carrying a hint of something assertive, almost predatory.


    At that precise moment, the door burst open again. “Ken, I brought you some lunch!” Carole announced with renewed enthusiasm.


    This time, she held something new—a pair of sizable lunch boxes.


    “After all, it’s been ages since west saw each other. And, my father thinks we should catch up, so why not over lunch?”


    As Carole strode in with a lunch box in hand, the curious eyes of employees just outside the door turned their way, already sparking murmurs. This was precisely the reaction Carole had hoped to stir. With the confident click of her high heels echoing, her expression grew more assured and rxed, as if her bond with Ken were something personal.


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