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When they met again, her ex-husband tearfully begged for remarriage. However, the wheelchair-bound tycoon of business lore, rumored to be unable to walk, rose to his feet, clasping her hands tightly, "You are worthy of pursuing her?!"
=====
"I've filed for divorce. Four million should set you up for life." Colton Stevens impatiently walked over, his frustration almost palpable.
"It's our third wedding anniversary today, can't we at least finish this meal together?" Allison Clarke's face froze for a heartbeat. Her nails dug painfully into her palm as she fought to keep her composure.

Colton scoffed, his eyes cold and distant. "Even if we finish this meal together, I'll never love you. Besides, Melany's back. She's proud, and she won't stand for this whole situation."

A flicker of softness crossed his face at the mention of Melany Johnson, a warmth that had never been reserved for Allison, no matter how hard she'd tried.

She had bent over backward for him, cared for his parents, and sacrificed everything for years. But none of it had earned her more than a passing glance.

Melany was the one who held his heart--had always held it. She had walked out on him three years ago, breaking off their engagement and leaving for abroad.

Yet now, with a mere word from her, Colton had easily embraced her return and chosen to divorce Allison without a second thought.

Allison gripped the table's edge as if trying to steady herself against a sudden gust of wind. "Does your grandpa know about this?"

Colton let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Don't think you can hide behind Grandpa. He's in the hospital and can't handle any stress. My parents are on board with the divorce. In fact, Melany met with them just today."

Allison's heart sank, an icy chill creeping through her veins.

She had once been celebrated as a genius perfumer, renowned hacker.

For three years, she'd buried every trace of that brilliance, molding herself into the perfect housewife.

Just recently, she had secured a rare opportunity with Cobweb--the most elusive intelligence network--hoping to help the Stevens family clinch a crucial deal. A chance like that was nearly impossible to come by.

Yet now, it all seemed like a cruel farce.

"So, Melany's at your parents' place?" she asked, her voice brittle.

"Naturally." Colton smiled, his features softening as if the thought of Melany made everything brighter.

"They just had dinner. Melany's always gotten along with my parents. They've been singing her praises all evening -- saying how thoughtful and understanding she is."

"And you all knew she was coming back," Allison murmured, her voice thick with disbelief, "but left me in the dark." Her eyes glistened, the sting of betrayal cutting deep.

Thoughtful and understanding -- how ridiculous.

His parents used to make the same comments about her.

Colton shot her an impatient glare. "It wasn't on purpose. The butler just forgot to mention it. Don't start creating drama where there isn't any."

He looked at her then, truly looked at her, and for a moment, his expression shifted to one of disdain.

Allison had always been delicate, her skin flawless, and her features striking, especially her bright, clear eyes. But none of that mattered.

She was boring, and that was all. The ideal housewife, yes--everything he could have wanted in a caretaker for his parents--but living with her was stifling.

Allison ironed clothes and prepared meals with precision every day. Her routine was so predictable that Colton never had to wonder what she was doing.

She was the picture-perfect housewife--dutiful and entirely devoted to staying home. But he was beyond tired of it.

"And whether you accept the fact or not, you're leaving tonight." Colton hesitated, realizing how harsh he sounded. "You can move to Starfish Villas. Take the villa, it's yours."

He had done his research on Allison. She came from a modest rural background, dropped out of school early, and hadn't seen much of the world.

If it weren't for the fact that she had saved his grandfather's life, she would never have married into the Stevens family. In his mind, offering her the villa seemed more than generous for someone with her humble beginnings.

But Allison's face didn't show gratitude. Instead, she offered him a thin, cold smile.

"So, she's moving in now?"

Allison didn't care about the villa or the four million he offered. She could make far more as a top-tier hacker.

What hurt was being discarded after three years of loyalty.

Colton sighed and said, "The room on the second floor was always hers. Melany's back and has nowhere else to stay, so I told her she could move in. If you're still here, she'll feel uncomfortable."

Her silence was enough to annoy him, assuming she was unhappy with the deal. His frustration grew.

"Don't push it. You need to know when enough is enough."

He glanced at his watch, clearly counting down the time. "Now that I've lodged my divorce petition, we'll meet in the courthouse in a few days. You'd better make preparations and hire a lawyer..." He did not get to finish.

"I know what to do," Allison cut him off, her voice laced with disgust.

Her mind wandered back to a childhood memory--when she was blinded and in grave danger. A boy carried her on his back for three days and nights, saving her life.

That boy had said his name was Colton Stevens.

Now, three years after their marriage, that same boy was forcing her to leave.

Time had an uncanny way of warping people into strangers.

"I'll go," Allison said, snapping back to the moment. She stood up and looked at Colton firmly with detachment. "From now on, we owe each other nothing."

Colton let out a breath, relieved. "Good."

As if on cue, the housekeeper, Kaelyn Thorpe, appeared at the top of the stairs, struggling with a suitcase. "Sir, your parents called and said Ms. Clarke needs to leave right away, so I packed her things... Oh no!"

Before she could finish, she dramatically yelped and pretended to twist her ankle. Allison's suitcase tumbled down the stairs, spilling her belongings everywhere.

Chapter 2 Return
"Ms. Clarke, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!"

Kaelyn hurried down the stairs, her face a picture of exaggerated concern.

"Maybe you can just toss everything in a bag for now?" she added, hiding her disdain behind a sweet smile.

Kaelyn had always looked down on Allison, seeing her as nothing more than a poor country girl who'd shamelessly latched onto Colton for a better life.

Colton frowned in frustration. "You're so clumsy!" he snapped, glancing at the scattered clothes.

Allison's suitcase contained so little--a few clothes and hardly any jewelry.

She hadn't even spent much of the money he had given her over the years. She lived simply, frugally, and it was a reflection of how she had never tried to take advantage of her status.

But love couldn't be forced or faked.

"Melany's luggage takes priority. Just toss Allison's things in a storage bag," Colton added dismissively, eyeing the broken suitcase. "I'll have the housekeeper buy you a new one tomorrow."

Allison gave a faint, bitter smile. "That suitcase was the one I stole from the kidnappers when we were running for our lives. If it hadn't been for it, we would've drowned back then."

For years, she had taken care of that suitcase--just as she had taken care of their marriage. And now, like their relationship, it lay shattered.

Colton let out a cold laugh. "That story might fool my grandfather, but it doesn't work on me."

The memory of being kidnapped as a child was too vague, and he always doubted that Allison had been with him during that time.

Turning to Kaelyn, Colton raised his voice. "Hurry up and pack her things!"

"Yes, sir," Kaelyn eagerly began to gather Allison's clothes, but she deliberately stepped on them, dirtying them in the process.

With a sickly sweet tone, she mocked, "Ms. Clarke, Mr. Stevens' grandmother always says that people are like clothes. Once a person's clothes are stained, it doesn't matter how much you wash; the marks never truly fade."

Allison had always been kind to Kaelyn, even when she didn't have to be.

After all, Kaelyn was a distant relative of Colton's grandmother.

Years ago, when Kaelyn had made a blunder that nearly put the Stevens family at odds with Kellan Lloyd, the eldest son of the Lloyd family, it was Allison who had smoothed the waters.

She had negotiated a deal with Kellan, who was paralyzed, securing the critical land for the Stevens' commercial project.

Back then, Kaelyn had been grateful, almost humbled. But now, emboldened by the winds of change within the Stevens family, Kaelyn acted as if she had never bent the knee.

It all boiled down to one thing--Colton's grandmother's favor had drifted, and with it, so had the family's attitude.

"If clothes get dirty, you're right," Allison said, her eyes flicking to Colton, "they're impossible to clean completely." She shrugged, a casual finality in her voice. "So, I won't be needing them anymore."

She had never liked those bland, shapeless things anyway. They had never quite suited her.

For the first time, Colton looked at Allison as if seeing her through a new lens--her usual softness was now replaced with a sharp edge.

After saying that, Alison turned and walked away.

Stepping out of the villa, Allison dialed a familiar number.

When the call connected, her voice was calm, almost light. "Rebecca, I'm divorced, and I've moved out of his villa. My house and car are still in Vrining. Mind if I crash at your place for the night?"

On the other end of the line, Rebecca Green went from silence to squealing joy within seconds.

"Holy crap! You finally divorced that i**ot! Forget crashing--you're staying over for a party! A single's party!"

Even from a distance, Allison could hear Rebecca's exaggerated laughter bubbling through the phone. "If the folks at Cobweb find out the founder is back, the servers will explode!"

Chapter 3 Cruise Party
Inside the villa, Colton's gaze falling on the dining table loaded with food. Frustration flared inside him, especially as his mind flashed back to the memory of Allison just left earlier.

Allison had stayed composed, but something about her felt colder, harsher than before--far from the docile, compliant woman he once knew.

But the thought slipped away quickly. To him, Allison would always be that dull, submissive housewife. Without him, she'd be nothing.

Outside the villa, a sleek Lamborghini pulled up, and a woman stepped out.

"Allison, darling!" Rebecca rushed over and wrapped Allison in a warm embrace. "You know, you could live at my place forever if you wanted to!"

Rebecca, the only daughter of the Eternity Group's owners, practically owned half the city's skyline. A roof over Allison's head was hardly an issue.

"So, what on earth happened tonight?" Rebecca asked, pressing close, her cheek resting against Allison's neck. "You still smell like cooking oil. Don't tell me you were cooking for that m**on again?"

Allison felt the familiar tightness in her throat, emotions rising as Rebecca's hug warmed her.

"Let's talk in the car," she said.

Once inside the Lamborghini, Allison began to recount what had happened this whole day. Her voice remained steady, but Rebecca's temper flared like a spark igniting dry wood.

"Can you believe this? Colton got dumped by Melany on their wedding day, and now he's trying to crawl back to her by divorcing you? They're made for each other--two peas in a rotten pod!" Rebecca raged.

"And his parents!" Rebecca added, her anger rising like a storm. "You've been looking after them for three years, bending over backward for that family, and this is the thanks you get?"

Rebecca continued her tirade, her words like b*llets.

"Listen, he's lost his memory of that incident in his childhood, sure, but that doesn't excuse what he's done. You've more than paid your dues over the last three years. There's no point pretending to be the woman he wants anymore. You've wiped that slate clean."

Allison slouched in the passenger seat, her gaze distant as the world blurred past her window.

"It's done. We're even now."

For three years, she'd molded herself into Colton's image of the perfect woman. She'd ditched her heels, pulled her hair back, and settled for modest, boring outfits--ones she didn't even like--all to mirror Melany.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't compete with the woman he truly loved.

"Allison, the truth is, the Stevens family doesn't deserve someone like you."

Rebecca's voice softened, thick with the weight of emotions as she sensed Allison's exhaustion.

"Divorce is a process, but until it's settled, you'll stay with me. You're like a sister to me, anyway."

Allison managed a small smile. "Okay."

Growing up in an orphanage, Allison had never had any family members.

But Rebecca had always treated her better than anyone ever had.

Their conversation trailed off as they arrived at an exclusive makeup studio. Rebecca rolled down the window and waved enthusiastically at Mary Brown, a famous makeup artist. "Hey, Mary! Got a little project for you!"

Allison rubbed her temples, g**aning softly, "Honestly, I'm wiped. I don't think I can handle makeup tonight."

"Oh, come on! You're not planning to keep that whole tired, 'still-waiting-for-him' look, are you?"

"Yeah... Definitely not."

"Exactly!" Rebecca's face lit up. "Relax and let the pros do their magic. These are top-tier, international artists. Tonight, they're bringing out the version of you the world's been missing!"

Thirty minutes later, the transformation was undeniable. Nearly everyone who saw her in the mirror was momentarily stunned.

Allison's naturally striking features had always been overshadowed by exhaustion. But now, with just a touch of makeup, she was breathtaking.

Her long, feline eyes, accentuated by just the right amount of shadow, were captivating without going overboard. A delicate beauty mark drawn near the corner of her eye added a hint of daring that felt almost rebellious.

Even Rebecca couldn't contain her excitement. "This... this is the Allison I remember!"

She gestured to a rack of dresses being brought in.

"Sweetheart, pick any gown that calls to you. I pulled out all the stops for tonight. We're celebrating your freedom on a luxury yacht. I swear, it's going to be a night you won't forget!"

Allison waved it off. "I'm not in the mood."

Rebecca watched her closely, sensing she could still be holding onto the past.

Time to pull out the big guns! "You know there are going to be international perfumers at this party, right? Including the brains behind Charisma Company! Don't tell me you're not curious to finally meet him."

Charisma was the country's most prestigious perfume brand.

Allison had crossed paths with the CEO at an international perfumery competition. His creations had been nothing short of art.

For the first time in forever, they evoked a feeling of déjà vu, something about them reminding her of her mother's style.

But like her, the CEO was an enigma. He'd never showed up in public, even as Charisma shot to global fame. No one knew what he looked like, not even now.

"Alright, let's check it out." Allison finally relented, her curiosity piqued.

After all, she'd once hacked into Charisma's database, coming up empty-handed.

And something in her gut still whispered that this mysterious perfumer could be linked to her mother, somehow...

......

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