Chapter 17 : Signing The Engagement Break Off
The woman sat down next to Luke, offering Violet a polite smile before turning her attention to Ruth.
These powerful people were experts at keeping a perfect facade, hiding the storm underneath.
Allison later learned that Luke had been with this woman for years. Violet had endured it and divorced him three years ago.
Ronan walked into the room holding Sherrie's hand and said, "Sherrie and I were just ordering food. Sorry to keep you all waiting."
Luke's new wife smiled warmly. "And this must be Ally? She's so graceful and refined. No wonder Ronan adores her."
Luke frowned and pulled his arm away from the woman beside him.
It was clear he thought her clinginess was too obvious and embarrassing.
Everyone at the table had known each other for more than twenty years. No one was unaware of each other's scandals. She wasn't even trying to hide it, almost as if she was flaunting her identity as a mistress.
An awkward silence filled the room. Ronan pulled Sherrie to a seat but didn’t bother to introduce her.
Nigel watched their intertwined hands with rising irritation. The engagement with Allison wasn’t even officially dissolved yet, and he was already acting so like a free man.
Noticing Nigel’s expression change, Sherrie instinctively tried to pull her hand back.
But Ronan, as if on purpose, tightened his grip and placed their intertwined hands openly on the table for everyone to see.
Naturally, this drew attention to Allison.
Several people looked toward her, but she sat still and composed. Her eyes lowered in detachment as if everything around her were irrelevant.
Both Nigel and Ruth let out a small sigh of relief. At last, Allison was behaving sensibly. If she couldn’t hold on, she needed to know when to let go.
But Ronan’s face darkened.
Why wasn’t she reacting? Why wasn’t she making a scene?
Did she not care about me at all?
Allison sat there like she was nothing more than an extra at the table. She didn’t pay attention to the conversations or the drama happening around her. It was as if she were simply there to eat.
And truthfully, no one was talking to her either.
Soon, the waitstaff brought in the dishes. Violet didn’t bother with formalities and picked up her chopsticks right away.
She served herself first, then placed some food onto Allison’s plate and whispered, “Eat. At the very least, don’t treat yourself poorly.”
Allison couldn’t deny she was touched. After being betrayed by both her family and fiancé, she had already stopped expecting anything from anyone.
So Violet’s kindness made her feel a slight pain inside.
Quietly, she ate the light, refreshing dishes, and her stomach finally felt comfortable.
Once the last dish was served, the server smiled and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, all dishes have been brought out. If you need anything else, please call my employee number.”
“My number is 2150.”
Clatter!
The sound of plates and chairs scraping filled the room as Allison suddenly stood up. Her voice trembled as she instinctively responded, “Present!”
Her reaction was so abrupt that everyone jolted in surprise. Ruth even clutched her chest, looking as though she might faint any moment.
Luke’s expression twisted in disgust.
Nigel’s face flushed with embarrassment. Losing his patience, he stood up and scolded her, “What are you doing? If you can’t sit still, then get out!”
Allison snapped back to reality. She clenched her skirt and looked around the table, seeing nothing but disdain.
Without saying anything, she stood up and walked out.
Why stay and endure their contempt? I’d rather have some peace outside.
Ironically, as she walked out in embarrassment, no one bothered to speak up for her.
Just when she thought she was finally free, Luke’s voice rang out, “Hold on.”
Allison halted her steps near the door and turned around.
She saw Luke glance at the woman beside him. The woman then took a red envelope from her bag.
Both Allison and Ronan recognized it instantly. It was their engagement contract.
Luke’s piercing eyes fixed on Allison. “You know why you’re here today. Do I need to say it? Sign it and leave.”
Allison walked back, took the document, and looked at it.
Ronan suddenly felt nervous. If she signs it, the contract will be dissolved. She wouldn’t actually do it, right? If she really wanted to break things off, why was she acting so indifferent toward me? Wasn’t she doing this to get my attention?
Now that she’s about to lose me as her last bargaining chip, she wouldn’t keep up the act, would she? Maybe she’ll even beg us to reconsider everything.
Just as Ronan imagined Allison breaking down in regret, her calm voice cut through his thoughts.
“I’ve signed it.”
“What?!”
Ronan sprang to his feet.
Now, everyone else was the one looking at him strangely.
Wasn’t he the one who wanted the breakup? So why was he the one getting worked up now?
Allison placed the dissolved engagement contract neatly on the table and walked away.
But once she was outside, she realized she had nowhere to go. She leaned against the railing, staring at the red ink on her fingertip, feeling a strange emptiness.
He had been my fiancé for more than ten years. It’s impossible not to feel anything now that everything is really over.
I don’t know who I can rely on anymore. I feel like a piece of drifting weed, with no place to stay.
At that moment, a waiter came over and gently told her that a lady inside had asked her to return to the room and wait instead of wandering around.
It was probably Violet.
Allison took the key card and started to walk back.
“You went to the black market that night. Does your family know?”
A teasing voice sounded behind her, making her body freeze.
She slowly turned around and saw Jareth’s intense look.
Jareth stood with his hands resting on a cane. His tailored trousers fit his long, straight legs, and when he stayed still, his limp was barely noticeable.
There were countless rumors in Kansas about how his leg had been injured.
Some said he went against his father and was crippled as punishment. Others said someone plotted against him. A few whispered that it was a medical accident.
No one knew the real reason, but everyone knew his notorious reputation. Half of Kansas avoided him, and the other half wished they could bring him down completely.
Allison’s expression tightened. Nothing good ever came from getting involved with him.
Noticing her guarded posture, Jareth lifted his wrist with a slight smirk. “Did you steal this from home, too?”