?<strong>Chapter 797:</strong>


    Once the bodyguard left, Allison gently rapped on the study door.


    A robust voice from within greeted Allison before she had a chance to speak. “Come in. The bodyguard’s filled me in.”


    “I mean no harm,” Allison responded in a hushed tone as she pushed the door open.


    Inside, Mollie was seated at her desk. The only source of light came from a dim deskmp, casting a soft glow and giving the room a moody ambiance. Mollie’s features were sharp and somewhat spectral under the light, and her eyes were steady as she watched Allison in silence.


    “Please, have a seat, youngdy.”


    “Thank you.” Allison settled into the chair across from her, taking a moment to absorb the scene.


    Mollie wasn’t thumbing through a book as Allison had expected, but instead seemed lost in a photo album. Her eyes carried a wistfulness that spoke of deep-seated grief, as if she were miles away, lost in memories of a cherished past. It was clear that Mollie was grappling with a profound sadness, the kind that lingers and refuses to let go, possibly tied to a face or a moment captured in the album before her.


    Allison carefully reviewed the detailsid out before her, then lifted her eyes to meet Mollie’s.


    “Mollie, what I said outside the door earlier wasn’t true.”


    Before she could finish, Mollie smiled and cut her off. “Miss, I know you were spinning tales. Given my husband’s health, he’s hardly the phndering type.” Mollie held her gaze steady, a cool detachment radiating from her. Her daughter’s conception through in vitro fertilization had been a testament to their struggles.


    “If you think you can scare me into silence with these tales, I’d advise you to think again and leave while you can.” Her voice was soft, but carried a razor-sharp edge. “You’re too young to y these games here.”


    Her words sliced through the air with unexpected ferocity.


    Allison hadn’te here with deceit in mind. In silence, she slipped off her emerald ring.


    “Just a moment before I go, please take a look at this.” Mollie’s eyebrows knitted together slightly at the request.


    The dim lighting masked the item in Allison’s hand. With a quick twist of themp dial, the room brightened, revealing the deep green glint of the ring.


    “This is…”


    A shiver ran through her.


    Mollie reached out swiftly, her fingers enclosing the ring. After examining it closely, her fingers clenched. “This ring belonged to my daughter! How on earth did it find its way to you?”


    .


    .


    .