?<strong>Chapter 566:</strong>


    As the Ferris wheel climbed higher, colored lights from the city outside painted a soft glow across his face, sharpening his features against the shadows that enveloped him.


    Allison’s voice broke through the quiet, her tone calm and steady. “Mr. Lloyd, look at you now. You’re in a position where you can shape your life however you please. Most people, once they’re grown, end up raising themselves all over again. So, I’d say you’re doing pretty well.”


    Beyond the Ferris wheel, moonlight wrapped the hills in a gentle silver glow.


    Ken looked up, his eyes meeting hers. “It’s that hope,” he said softly. “That’s what pushes me to be better.”


    Now, he had something—or rather, someone—he truly wanted to protect, right in front of him.


    A hint of a smile touched Allison’s lips as a thought urred to her. “Mr. Lloyd, I’ve been curious about something. How does a man as bold as you have a fear of the dark?”


    Ken’s lips twitched in a chuckle, but he dodged the question.


    Instead, he suggested, “Ms. rke, if you’re really that curious, why don’t we make it interesting? Truth or dare. If you win, I’ll tell you.”


    His smile softened the hard edge he usually wore, adding anguid allure, almost a gentle seduction.


    Allison propped her chin on her hand. “What, Mr. Lloyd, haven’t you gambled enough today? Aren’t you the least bit afraid of losing to me?”


    “When ying with you, Ms. rke… there’s no such thing as enough,” he replied.


    “Well, then you should be careful,” she teased. “If I win, I might make some absurd demand. I could ask you to jump right out of this Ferris wheel!”


    Ken’s gaze deepened, as dark as the still night beyond them. “Fine by me. If that were my fate, I’d probably live on in your memory forever.”


    Whether it was Gordon, Floyd, or any other man, none could leave a mark as indelible as a dead one.


    To Allison, it seemed half a jest, but there was something almost solemn in his voice, like a confession disguised as a joke.


    “Let’s keep it simple,” she said finally, leaning back thoughtfully. “Rock-paper-scissors decides the winner. And if the winner chooses truth, they get to ask for a secret.”


    “Agreed,” Ken replied.


    They started, and in the first round, the irony yed out: Ken, the one who’d suggested the game, lost right away!


    Allison’s eyes twinkled as she looked at her winning scissors hand.


    “Thank you, Mr. Lloyd. I believe that means I win!”


    Ken gave a resigned sigh. “A deal’s a deal. So, Ms. rke, are you going to make me jump?”


    “Nothing so dramatic. I’d rather not be haunted by the Lloyd family,” she replied with azy smile. “I’ll go with truth. Tell me why you’re afraid of the dark.”


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