?<strong>Chapter 578:</strong>


    “Not too long ago,” Allison replied, smiling as she steadied Reba, only to see Ferdinand approaching just behind her.


    “Well, well, look who’s here with Mr. kely! You better spill everything,” Allison teased.


    Reba rolled her eyes. “Family pressure. They’re pushing for an arranged marriage, so Ferdinand and I are on these ‘dates’ — though we’re hardly interested in each other. They’re watching us like hawks!”


    Allison followed Reba’s pointed nce. A short distance away, several bodyguards loitered in the shade, keeping an ever-watchful eye.


    Ah, she understood now: both were under heavy family pressure, forced intopany neither had chosen. Ferdinand, catching her look, gave a wry smile and raised an eyebrow at Ken.


    “So, Mr. Lloyd, is this why you hung up on me earlier? Here I thought friendship meant more than a date.”


    Ken met his gaze, unbothered. “And aren’t you on a date with Miss Green?” he replied smoothly. “Seems we both havepany tonight.”


    Reba rolled her eyes as she saw Ferdinand approach. “Mr. Lloyd, don’t twist things — I’m only putting up with this charade for the family’s sake,” she said with a teasing grin.


    Ferdinand shrugged. “Likewise, Miss Green. Trust me, I’m just ying the part.”


    They both shot each other a nce. The mutual disdain was evident.


    Allison was almostughing. “You two are honestly like an old, bickering couple.”


    “Lose the ‘couple’ part. We’re just bickering, thanks.” Reba shot back with a scoff.


    But then her gaze drifted andnded on a faint love bite on Allison’s neck — subtle but unmistakable.


    Reba’s eyes sparked with interest.


    “Oh, sweetheart, do tell — what’s going on with you and Mr. Lloyd?”


    Though whispered, the question didn’t escape Ken’s earshot. He observed Allison carefully, recalling her earlier words about needing time to ease into their new rtionship.


    Would she be open about it? But Allison’s response was simple and resolute.


    “Yes, Ken and I are dating,” she announced, her fingers threading confidently through his. “We just made it official yesterday, so I haven’t had a chance to tell you.”


    Her words struck Ken like a firework, a sudden spark of light and warmth in his chest. A soft smile yed on his lips as he watched her, savoring the moment.


    “Yes,” he echoed, lifting their joined hands slightly. “We’re a couple now.”


    Reba’s jaw dropped as she processed the unexpected confession. “Wait — what? You two? Together? Wow!” In fact, she had always felt there was something between them. She had pegged them both as oblivious romantics, thinking they’d take forever to act on anything. But now, here they were, officially together.


    A genuine smile softened her face, and she reached out, touching Allison’s arm with a warm squeeze. “Sweetheart, if Mr. Lloyd ever dares to break your heart, you know the Green family has your back. We’ll be there, pitchforks and all.”


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