Chapter 1095:
Abram, feeling the heat of the moment, quickly interjected, âWell, I want to remind you that this banquet isnât the right place for a plagiarizing designer. Ms. Clarke, youâd better leave before embarrassing yourself further.â
If Allison were thrown out, rumors about her alleged plagiarism would spread like wildfire throughout Ontdale, painting her as a laughingstock.
Kellan slowly lifted his head, his eyes narrowing as he took in the room. With a single glance, Sherman and his men closed in around Abram. âYou seem to have forgotten that weâre not in Vrining. In Ontdale, no one has the right to point fingers at Allison.â His voice was frosty, devoid of any warmth.
âAnd you? Believe it or not, I can make you disappear whenever I want.â Kellanâs towering figure, combined with his icy, ascetic demeanor, made him appear even more imposing in the dimly lit room. He exuded an air of danger, like a predator circling its prey â cold, lethal, and utterly untouchable.
The room shared a tense silence. Kellanâs presence alone commanded authority, his reputation enough to instill fear and keep them all in check.
It was evident to everyone in the room that while Kellanâs words were directed at Abram, they also served as a stark warning to everyone present.
Kellan was the kind of man who had earned a reputation that sent shivers down oneâs spine.
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Years ago, rumors had circulated that a person who crossed him simply vanished from Ontdale, never to be seen again. Three months later, that guyâs mutilated body had been discovered floating in the open sea. Bloody and brutal â that was the essence of men like Kellan.
Fabian quickly grasped the underlying meaning in Kellanâs statement. âMr. Lloyd, todayâs gathering is in honor of my birthday,â Fabian said firmly. Although he disliked Abramâs sudden attempt to tarnish Allisonâs reputation, Fabian had no intention of allowing anyone to create a scene at his celebration. âLetâs not lose our decorum here,â he said evenly. Years of experience had taught him to stay composed, even in the face of dangerous threats. Also, he showed no trace of irritation or fury. He knew clearly that if someone had insulted his wife in the same way, Fabian, true to his nature, would likely have responded with even greater ferocity than Kellan.
âMs. Clarke, you are welcome to stay,â Fabian said, his tone measured. âAs for these accusations, without solid proof, they cannot be substantiated. Soâ¦â His brow furrowed slightly as he finished speaking. It was clear that even Fabian found the situation a bit tricky to handle. After all, investigating something from so many years ago would take a lot of time and effort. And time wasnât on his side â he was only staying in Ontdale for a short while.
Before Fabian could say anything else, Allison stepped forward. âThereâs no need to make this complicated,â she said confidently. âWe donât have to dig up old evidence. Why not resolve this with a competition?â As she spoke, she reached out and gently held Kellanâs hand. Allison could tell his emotions were beginning to spiral out of control. Her touch seemed to calm him, pulling him back to the present. âAfter all,â she continued, âtrue talent in design always speaks for itself. The details never lie.â
Fabian paused, mulling over her suggestion. After a moment of thought, Fabian gave a firm nod. âWeâll go with that. Since this is my birthday, hereâs the plan: the two of you will each create a pair of high heels as a tribute to my late wife. The winner will take home seven hundred thousand dollars.â Fabianâs announcement left everyone stunned. Seven hundred thousand dollars was an eye-watering amount, enough to make anyone stop in their tracks. Even Abram, usually quick to recover, momentarily faltered. Greed flashed across his face, betraying his thoughts.
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