Chapter 24
Allison hummed a cheerful tune as she polished off a whole box of spicy buffalo wings and crab legs, feeling completely satisfied.
After dinner, Kate sauntered around the living room, tossing out her opinions. “Shawn, these curtains are awful, and that vase on the table totally clashes with the room’s vibe.” She wrinkled her nose at the flowers in the vase. “Plus, I’m allergic to pollen. Can we just ditch these flowers?”
Allison had picked out the curtains, bought the vase, and carefully arranged the flowers. Kate probably knew this, which is why she was nitpicking on purpose.
Shawn shrugged and said, “If you don’t like them, we can get something you do like.”
His eyes lingered on Allison briefly before he added, almost sulkily, “Since you’re allergic, let’s just get rid of the flowers.”
Allison watched the two of them go back and forth and stayed silent. After all, it wasn’t her house, so why should she care about what they did?
But Kate took Allison’s silence as a sign of hurt and felt a smug sense of victory. She thought, ‘Allison, you’ve lost.”
Shawn called over the housekeeper and told her to take out the vase and flowers.
The housekeeper hesitated, glanced at Allison, then said to Shawn, “Sir, but Ms. Allison bought
these flowers…”
Shawn’s face clouded over, and his tone went up a notch. “So what if she did? Don’t you know who the real boss is here? Who’s paying your salary?”
Allison calmly said, “It’s okay, Marian. Go ahead and toss them.”
Only then did the housekeeper pick up the vase to take it outside, grumbling under her breath: What a circus, always stirring up drama. And that Kate, she’s been here two days and only eats salads, so I don’t even get to cook a proper meal. When will this end?
In the living room, Kate wrapped her arm around Shawn’s, her voice dripping with sweetness, “Shawn, come with me tomorrow to pick out new curtains, okay?”
Shawn glanced at Allison, who remained utterly composed, not showing even a hint of jealousy. He was unexpectedly annoyed by it.
‘Why isn’t Allison jealous? I had Marian throw away her flowers, so why isn’t she mad?‘ he thought.
Shawn felt unsettled, but he couldn’t really put a finger on the feeling. He had always liked Allison’s easygoing nature, which made things simple. But now, was she being a little too laid–back?
Sometimes, a bit of jealousy wouldn’t hurt.
00:48
Chapter 24
He suddenly found himself irritated by Allison’s constant calmness.
Kate noticed Shawn was silent and shook his arm a bit more insistently. “Shawn, are you even listening to me?”
Shawn pulled his focus back, muttering a subdued “Sure.”
The next day, Kate made a big show of buying a ton of new stuff. She directed the delivery crew to swap out the curtains and redecorate the living room.
She tossed everything Allison had previously picked out into the trash.
When Allison returned, Kate shot her a triumphant look.
Allison ignored Kate, merely casting an indifferent glance at the chaotic living room and the busy workers before heading upstairs.
She had already packed up the belongings she planned to take with her, and most of the things she intended to discard were ready to go.
All that was left were some toiletries and a few clothes for the next few days.
She had thought she and Kate could coexist peacefully for the final few days, but she hadn’t expected Kate to go to such lengths to push her out.
Soon it’s the night before the trial.
