Kellan remained silent, but the elderly butler behind him was visibly stunned by the revelation.
“This necklace is the only memento Mrs. Lloyd left behind,” the butler said. “Long ago, she specifically declared that it was to be passed on to her daughter-in-law, as a symbol of the rightful mistress of the house.”
Allison narrowed her eyes, surprised by the strange coincidence. The necklace was identical to one her own mother had left her.
“Indeed, this was my mother’s,” Kellan said, removing his necklace. In a low, resonant voice, he added, “Miss Clarke, if you aspire to be the lady of this house, this necklace would suit you splendidly.”
The old butler was speechless. Allison felt a surge of shock. It had been ages since she had seen Kellan so relaxed. Since his return from years of isolation, he had been burdened by fragmented memories and deep-seated trauma. The butler could barely recall the last time Kellan had even cracked a joke. For years, Kellan had seemed tense, weighed down by the world. But now, watching him interact with Allison, the butler noticed a marked change; Kellan seemed much calmer. Even more surprising, he was joking.
“Sir,” the butler said, looking up, “you’ve never shown any interest in other women. Why are you so keen to present this necklace to Miss Clarke today?” The sun shone brightly, yet an uneasy feeling lingered.
Kellan replied, “Because Miss Clarke means something to both Lorna and me.” His demeanor was calm, making it impossible to discern whether he was joking or serious. Allison, oblivious to the butler’s internal turmoil, stared thoughtfully at the necklace, her emotions swirling. The design and materials exactly matched her mother's bracelet. The butler, after years of researching on the dark web, recognized the craftsmanship as unique. Could Kellan's late mother be related to his? The thought made him shudder, and he quickly dismissed it.
"If this is so valuable, I simply cannot accept it," Allison said. "As for the perfume collaboration, I will consider it in the coming days."
Kellan didn't press the issue, calmly putting the necklace away, though a feeling of regret washed over him. "Let's go. I'll go with you."
Worried, Allison left as soon as she reached her car. Kellan watched silently until the car disappeared. Turning, he saw the butler's expression of immense satisfaction, as if witnessing a son finally finding love.
Feeling compelled to clarify, Kellan said, “We’ve known each other for quite some time. It was just a joke.”
The butler sensed a shift. He smiled wider. “One offers a necklace, the other refuses. If there's something between you, it's your business. Why share this with me, sir? I understand. We’ve all been there.” He gave Kellan a knowing look. “Your taste is impeccable, but Miss Clarke seems wary in matters of the heart. If you want to win her over, you may have to try harder.”
Kellan’s tone turned serious. “We’re just friends right now.” Yet, as he spoke, memories of that night flooded back—a night of intoxicating intimacy. Even he struggled to define his feelings for Allison. All she knew was that the mere mention of his name sent her heart racing.