?<strong>Chapter 473:</strong>


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    “Because you’re strong enough.”


    Maybe in another life, if things had been different, they could have been something more.


    “This perfume is important to me,” Allison said softly. “Let’s see how it goes. Who knows? It might just seed.” She kept a measured distance from Ken, her posture respectful, her voiceposed.


    Across the long mahogany table, their eyes met briefly. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave,” she said, her tone polite and professional, as if they were nothing more than colleagues.


    Ken stayed silent, watching her go.


    The room fell eerily quiet as the door clicked softly behind her, leaving him alone with the storm inside. On the surface, Ken appearedposed. But with Allison gone, the tightly wound emotions inside him began to unravel. The restraint he had clung to felt suffocating.


    To Allison, he probably didn’t matter at all.


    But Ken couldn’t let go.


    He knew himself too well — he was a man without a moralpass. His hands were stained with blood, and if he truly wanted something — or someone — he would stop at nothing.


    Even Ferdinand had once said that Ken was the type of man who would destroy what he couldn’t have, willing to burn everything in his path.


    Yet with Allison, all that certainty copsed.


    His logic, his ruthlessness, his aloofness — they all disintegrated in her presence. He was helpless against the pull she had on him.


    For now, he forced himself to remainposed, restrained, and endlessly patient.


    But Ken wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold the line between control and chaos.


    At that moment, Ferdinand was on the phone with Ken, the impatience in his voice unmistakable. “Come on, it’s been days already. Haven’t you made any progress?”


    Ken, already irritable, sounded more sullen than usual. “Mixed signals don’t sit well with me. Besides, it doesn’t seem to work on her.”


    For Ken, this was bing nothing short of torture.


    Ferdinand clicked his tongue in mild frustration. “Doesn’t work? That can’t be right. Maybe keep an eye on her for a few more days. And if nothing changes, just ask her outright.”


    “I should have known better than to ask you for advice.” His harsh words stung.


    Ferdinand could practically picture it—Ken loosening his tie in irritation, his expression as cold as a winter wind cutting through the room.


    Sensing a need to lighten things, Ferdinand switched to a cheerful tone. “Come on, man! I’ve never been in a rtionship either, but we’ve still got a few tricks left to try. Who knows? She mighte looking for you first…”


    Before he could finish, the line cut off with a blunt beep.


    Ferdinand was left in stunned silence.


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