Chapter 205

After Devin was thrown onto the street like discarded trash, he lay there, attracting a crowd of curious onlookers. Their whispers buzzed around him, each word a dagger to his pride. "What a disgrace!" Above him, Sherman stood tall, looking down with cold disdain.

"Filth like you shouldn't even dream of Ms. Clarke," Sherman sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "If you ever pull this stunt again, you'll be taught a harsher lesson."

Devin didn't dare fight back. Instead, he nodded frantically, his voice trembling as he groveled. "I was wrong, okay? Please, show mercy!" Shame burned inside him, but with the crowd dispersing, Devin scurried into the shadows like a rat.

Clutching the phone number Melany had given him, his rage simmered. "Allison, if you're going to play dirty, don't blame me for responding in kind," he muttered under his breath, seething. Once, he'd hesitated out of foolish loyalty to their childhood bond, but that softness had backfired. If kindness didn't work, he'd show her just how far he was willing to go to get what he wanted.

Meanwhile, at the company, Allison was busy mixing perfumes, having already forgotten about Devin. In her mind, he was nothing more than a coward—one who bullied the weak but crumbled at the first sign of resistance. She figured he'd learned his place. The whole situation was just gossip material for later.

But just as she was about to leave for the day, her phone rang. The number was unfamiliar. She answered without much thought, but froze the moment Devin's voice came through.

"Allison, looks like you're raking in the cash these days. Ever thought about finding your parents and doing right by them?"

Allison's blood ran cold. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about that photo of your mother—the one you used to keep under your pillow every night. I've got it. If you want it back, meet me at Grinders Diner. And bring a hundred thousand dollars, or I'll make sure you regret it."

"Fine," Allison responded, clenching the phone, her eyes narrowing. She thought she'd lost that photo. Even after searching the orphanage thoroughly, it had never turned up. Apparently, Devin had it all along.

Her expression darkened. She knew this was a trap. Though a hundred thousand dollars was insignificant to her fortune, Devin's greed was disgustingly insatiable. That photo was just bait; he'd want more later. Fine. She'd get the photo back and then deal with him once and for all.

Arriving at the secluded café, Allison found it empty. Her heels clicked against the floor as she entered the private room. There he was—Devin, grinning smugly behind a cup of coffee.

"Allison," he purred, gesturing toward the table. "Have some coffee, and then we can discuss the photo."

Devin flashed a crooked smile as he slid the cup across the table, his fingers lingering on the rim for just a moment too long.

"Fine." Allison twirled the spoon lazily, her gaze never leaving his. The faint glint of triumph in Devin's eyes didn't escape her notice. Even a blind person could have sensed something was wrong with the coffee.

"So, where's the photo?" Her words were slow, deliberate.

Devin grinned, his eyes glinting as he reached into his jacket. "Right here," he said, waving the photo teasingly. "Now, where's the money?"

"In the briefcase. See for yourself," Allison replied smoothly, patting the sleek black case at her side.

Devin's attention snapped to the briefcase, his greed evident as he imagined the cash inside. Rising from his chair, his hunger took over. In the brief moment his back was turned, Allison swiftly switched their coffee cups.

"Hand over the photo, and the money's all yours," she said calmly.

"What's the rush?" Devin smirked, settling back into his seat, barely concealing his glee. "Since you're being so generous, let's enjoy a cup of coffee together first, for old times' sake."

Allison stirred her cup, her eyes narrowing as she looked up at him. A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "You didn't add anything to the coffee, did you?" Her tone was light, almost playful, but the challenge was unmistakable.

Devin's grin faltered for a second before he covered it with mock innocence. "How could there be? I wouldn't dare!" Without missing a beat, he lifted the cup to his lips and took a long sip, draining it entirely. "See? I'm drinking it myself."

Allison feigned relief, taking a slow sip from her own cup, her gaze never wavering from Devin's.

"Honestly," Devin began, leaning in, his voice softening. "I never wanted things to get so ugly between us. If you'd just been a little kinder, we wouldn't be here. I really did like you, you know? Why couldn't you just give me a chance?" Confident his plan had succeeded, Devin relaxed and played the pity card.

"And when we find your mother," Devin continued, his voice dripping with feigned emotion, "we can live together and take care of her for the rest of her life. Isn't that what you want?"

Allison's lips curled into a sneer, her eyes flashing coldly. "Why not take care of your own parents? Is it because you have no family?"