Chapter 16 : Don’t Be Fooled By His Look
Allison stayed silent and kept her distance from Violet.
Her eyes were fixed on the scenery outside the window, like a caged bird longing for something beyond its reach.
Violet sniffled and spoke while driving, "Ally, do you blame me for not visiting you?"
Allison's eyelashes trembled. She lowered her eyes and mumbled, "No."
Violet is Ronan's mother, not mine. I have no right to expect kindness from her.
Besides, the Lopez family is about to dissolve the engagement. Soon, Violet will be Sherrie's husband's mother.
If I didn’t know where I stood, everything would just get even more awkward.
I didn't want to maintain these superficial ties anymore. All I wanted was a secure identity I could rely on.
Violet wiped her tears and let out a soft sigh. "Ally, I won't lie to you. I made a poor choice in marriage and have only been pretending to be happy. I've spent most of the past few years abroad and rarely come back... I don't have much say in major family matters."
Allison understood the implication behind Violet's words.
The "major matter" she referred to was undoubtedly the dissolution of my engagement to Ronan.
After thinking for a moment, Allison turned to Violet. "Did Ronan not tell you that I already agreed to break off the engagement?"
The car suddenly sped up before Violet settled herself. Her voice rose sharply. "You agreed?"
Allison hummed lightly and said seriously, "Ronan and Sherrie love each other. I'm willing to step aside for them."
Why keep a man who had already betrayed you?
Violet still looked stunned. "But you love Ronan so much. Are you really willing to let go?"
She only hoped Allison wasn't forcing down her emotions and planning something drastic.
It wasn't that Violet distrusted her, but what happened three years ago had been too extreme. She didn't want history to repeat itself.
Loving someone for so many years and then suddenly saying there were no feelings... it was hard to believe.
Allison replied, "I was only with Ronan to give my father peace of mind. In truth, I've always seen him as an older brother. I never intended to marry him."
Violet was stunned for a moment and looked at Allison with uncertainty.
Her eyes were clear and faintly indifferent, with no trace of pain.
Seeing this, Violet didn’t ask anything else. No matter what, Allison's agreeing to end the engagement was beneficial to everyone.
They soon arrived at the hotel. In less than half an hour, both the Lopez and Rogers families would be gathering there.
Inside the hotel room, Allison changed into the outfit Violet had prepared. When she glanced at the price tag, her body stiffened. "Madam Violet, this is too expensive."
Violet came over and ripped the tag off, so it couldn’t be returned. “That brat treated you terribly. Isn’t it about time his mother spent a bit of money to compensate you?”
Allison exhaled slowly. After enduring for so long, even the smallest kindness made me uncomfortable.
Violet then personally did Allison's makeup before taking her to the private dining room.
When the elevator doors slid open and Allison moved to enter, she felt Violet stiffen beside her.
Violet froze for a moment, then murmured shakily, “Jareth?”
When Allison looked up, the first things she saw were a black cane and polished leather shoes.
A quick jolt ran through her chest.
When she looked up at his face, she immediately turned away, avoiding his eyes.
He was the man from the alley that night.
I didn’t see his face clearly back then, but I recognized that cane.
Jareth glanced at Allison with a hint of amusement before talking to Violet. "What a coincidence. You're here too, Violet?"
Violet felt anxious around Jareth. She knew his words were not really directed at her, so she answered in a low voice, "Your brother is having dinner with the Rogers family."
Jareth let out an "Oh" and made a thoughtful gesture. "The Rogers family. It must be about breaking off the engagement, right? I heard the Rogers girl has a mental illness. My brother is such a proud man. How could he ever accept a daughter- in-law like that into our family?"
Talking about someone like this right in front of her. How shameless.
Violet cast an awkward glance at Allison and said, "That's just a rumor. Ms. Rogers is perfectly fine. Your brother is very happy with this marriage."
Jareth smirked. "So tonight's dinner is to discuss the wedding? Congratulations."
He walked out of the elevator while his cane made a dull thud against the marble floor.
Only then did Violet pull Allison into the elevator.
When the doors closed, Allison stared at the man's tall figure and asked instinctively, "He's Jareth Taylor?"
Sensing Allison's curiosity, Violet warned her, "Don't be fooled by his looks. He's a bad guy."
Allison had heard of Jareth's notorious reputation since childhood.
At a Lopez family banquet I attended when I was a child, I saw him knock over an entire champagne tower, causing a huge scene.
Back then, Jareth was a rebellious teenager without a disability, already showing his arrogant nature.
That explains why he looked familiar in the alley. I’d seen him before.
As for his position, Ronan had to call him "Uncle," though he never did, nor did he ever acknowledge any relationship with Jareth.
After all, Jareth was an illegitimate child. The Lopez family had wanted him to take the Lopez surname, but he refused and insisted on keeping his mother's surname. Because of that, the Lopez family never accepted him.
But judging from Violet's reaction earlier, the power dynamics in the Lopez family seemed to be changing.
The elevator chimed, pulling Allison from her thoughts. She followed Violet into the private dining room.
Not long after, Nigel and Ruth arrived.
Nigel glanced at Allison, who was sitting beside Violet, and reminded her, "Allison, the Rogers' seats are over here."
Proper table etiquette should be followed in public. How could Allison forget her place?
Today, Sherrie was the main focus.
Violet held Allison’s hand and said to Nigel, “I just wanted Ally to chat with me. Do you have a problem with that? If not for Ally’s father, we wouldn’t even be sitting at the same table. Don’t forget your roots, Mr. Nigel.”
Violet’s words made Ruth lower her head, while Nigel’s expression darkened.
Because of the Lopez family’s power, he couldn’t say anything back while Violet was defending Allison.
A moment later, Ronan’s father, Luke Lopez, arrived with a young woman.
Everyone immediately stood up, and Allison looked at the unfamiliar woman beside Luke in confusion. I had never seen her before.
Noticing the sudden change in Violet's expression, Allison finally understood what she meant by "having a difficult life."