Secrets Of The Neglected Wife: When Her True Colors Shine

Chapter 324: Melany stood beside him, her expression laced with quiet mockery as she eyed Allison.

Exactly.

If you lack the talent and have to rely on a man to pretend youre something youre not, its quite laughable.

Though it was unclear whether Kellan would actually go as far as to throw forty million dollars into the fray, Melanys words were a preemptive strike meant to sting.

She wanted to publicly humiliate Allison.

If, after that remark, Allison did end up using Kellans money to purchase the badge, it would make her the laughingstock of the entire room.

The onlookers, their curiosity piqued, leaned in, murmuring among themselves.

This price is outrageous.

If memory serves, while Ms.

Clarke is a prodigy in perfumery and has won several competitions, her total prize winnings barely scratch 10 million dollars.

I heard she recently joined Charisma Company.

No matter how high her salary, theres no way she could save that much.

Keep it down.

Didnt you hear Miss Johnson? Maybe Ms.

Clarke has someone backing her, like Mr.

Lloyd.

He could easily pull out forty million.

But theyre not even together.

If shes getting that kind of money from him, she must be a gold digger.

Their whispers floated through the crowd.

Even the man in charge of the banquet was visibly perplexed.

Typically, attendees cfrom wealthy, influential backgrounds and were required to pay a hefty deposit to avoid any sudden changes of heart.

Allisons presence felt out of place.

Nonetheless, the man maintained his polite demeanor.

This is a matter between Ms.

Clarke and the auction house.

Mr.

Stevens, theres no need for concern.

Industry standards allow a seven-day window for payment after an auction.

The staff, well aware of Allisons connection to Ferdinand, knew whose side to take.

Mr.

Stevens, youre not suggesting Ms.

Clarke needs to pay right here and now, are you? A transfer of this magnitude requires tto process, he said with an innocent smile.

After all, this is a prestigious auction, not sback-alley deal.

Should a bidder fail to pay, standard procedures would be followed.

His words were skillfully crafted.

On the one hand, he shielded the auction houses interests, while also giving Allison a gentle reminder: failure to settle the amount within the allotted twould result in legal repercussions.

The badge was always intended as a gift for Ms.

Clarke.

Kellans voice cut through the murmurs.

He rarely felt the need to explain himself, but Allison was a different case altogether.

His gaze, cold as winter steel, swept over Colton and Melany.

Whether its forty million or four billion dollars, Ms.

Clarke is worth every penny.

If it werent for her, when my company faced a malicious cyber-attack, we wouldnt be where we are today. Kellans nonchalant tone sent a shiver through the crowd.

His words rang with truth.

Had Allison not intervened in time, patching up the gaping holes in their firewall, Charisma Company could have bled nearly a billion in market value.

Not to mention, Kellan owed her in ways that money couldnt touch his life, Lornas life.

A mere forty million was laughable in comparison.

The black card was a thank-you gift, nothing more.

As the onlookers absorbed this revelation, their gossiping shifted into something closer to awe.

I had no idea.

Ms.

Clarke saved Charisma Company? That explains everything.

Now it makes sense why Kellan is so willing to spend big.

If I had a perfumery genius who could also pull off cyber miracles, Id give her anythingeven company shares.

Shes the kind of talent any company would kill for.

Friends are lucky to have her.

Enemies? Well, theyll... Thats a huge sum of money, but the man in charge is right.

Theres no rush for her to pay on the spot.

She has seven days.

Initially, Coltons argument seemed valid, but it quickly lost steam in light of the facts.

Anyone as sharp as Allison wouldnt have trouble finding a company to back her.

With an air of calm, Allison produced another card.

Mr.

Lloyds gift is one thing, but this badge is another.

I prefer to settle everything at once.

shem She glanced briefly at Colton and Melany, grateful she hadnt revealed her true potential during her En three-year marriage to Colton. If she had, she would have been drained dry.

Now, there was no reason to concern herself with sparing Colton any embarrassment.

Settle it.

This card holds exactly forty million dollars.

Her eyes briefly met Melanys, and a flicker of amusement crossed her face.

Miss Johnson, perhaps youre unaware, but sinternationam competitions cwith large cash prizes, especially the first Perfumery Competition in Leswington. The sponsors were quite generous.

Her statement was only half the truth.

While the prize money for perfumery contests could be substantial, it wasnt nearly enough to amass forty million dollars.

This card was actually one of Cobwebs private treasuries.

Allison had intended to use that money for other purposes, but now, it seemed the badge was worth the investment.

Letting it fall into Melanys hands would have been a mistake that no one could afford.

Allison remained poised, radiating effortless confidence.

Oh, Miss Johnson, I forgot that you didnt even place in the top ten of that competition, so its only natural you didnt know about the prize money at all. However, you actually had the audacity to falsely claim my title, leading to years of confusion.

It wasnt until recently, when I reappeared, that people realized you were never Scarlet Snake.

Melanys face flushed with rage, her voice trembling with indignation.

You!.