SWNOVELS Chapter 5
Meanwhile, in one of the cruise ship's private lounges, Melany basked in the glow of admiration from Colton's friends.
"Let's drink to Miss Johnson, back from abroad!" exclaimed one of them.
"Mr.
Stevens, you are one lucky guy, having such a stunning woman on your arm!" added another.
"I heard that Miss Johnson won first place in the perfume competition five years ago.
Quite a rising star," said another voice.
Melany's expression didn't change at the mention of the words "first place.
" With a modest air, she cast a kind glance at Colton and said, "It was more of a coincidence.
I'm not a real perfume expert.
I only got into this because of someone I cared about.
"
Kaelyn, always quick to flatter, immediately chimed in, saying, “Miss Johnson, you may not know this, but every night, Mr.
Stevens can’t fall asleep without smelling the perfume you gifted him back then.
” A collective “aww” went around the room as Melany’s cheeks flushed the lightest shade of pink.
Everyone present knew that Colton's success was deeply tied to the perfume business, and the atmosphere was buzzing with the unspoken expectation of some grand romantic gesture.
All eyes were on Colton, waiting.
But he remained unusually quiet.
Ever since he'd decided to divorce Allison, he'd always felt a strange knot of unease gripping him, though he didn't quite know why.
Just then, Kaelyn, always quick to seize a moment, spotted a familiar figure some distance away.
“Wait… isn’t that Allison?” she blurted, her shock rippling through the room.
The name hit Colton like a gust of wind.
He stood up immediately and walked out to the railing, looking down.
There on the deck below was Allison, dressed in a tight, figure-hugging red dress.
In high heels, she was a sight: calm, collected, and captivating, with a glass of wine in her hand.
He could only watch, his mind echoing with a single thought: captivating.
In front of her stood a group of men whose posture and expressions were anything but friendly.
The shortest of them, with a thick gold chain and a bottle in his hand, seemed to be leading the charge.
He growled at her: “You think you can get away with this? You’re finished, do you hear me?”
Some of Colton's friends had followed him to the railing and were also watching the scene.
"Man, you have to admit, she looks a lot like Colton's wife, but her whole thing is different.
"
"What are you talking about? It's her!"
"Whoa, Colton, your wife looks amazing! Who would have thought?"
“Wait, isn’t that Danny Mason down there? That guy is a psychopath.
If you cross him, you’re done.
He’s known for going after women like a predator.
”
“Man, look at that.
Divorced, and she dresses like that now? How the hell did she get on this cruise? I bet she spent a fortune to mingle with the bigwigs here.
I bet she’s looking for a good match.
”
Melany sighed quietly, barely above a whisper.
“Come on, guys, let’s not be so harsh.
I know Mrs.
Clarke may not have any family ties or connections, but she’s probably looking for anything she can grab… That’s why…”
Kaelyn, who quickly understood the subtext, continued where Melany had left off.
“Exactly, Mr.
Stevens.
You left with nothing and now you show up here all dressed up? You must be trying to…”
“Enough!” Colton cut her off abruptly, his voice as cold as ice.
“You are not qualified to stay here.
”
Kaelyn froze, her face draining of color as she immediately dropped to her knees.
“I’m sorry, Mr.
Stevens.
I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds.
”
The room, which had been filled with laughter and lighthearted banter, now fell into an awkward silence.
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, trying to figure out what had changed in Colton's mood.
What had happened to him?
Even Melany, who normally remained calm, sensed that something was not right.
“Colton, don’t be mad,” she said quietly.
“Kaelyn didn’t mean to hurt you.
She’s been up all night, getting everything ready for me—the room, the presents.
Just let her stay, okay?”
He lowered his head slightly, a tone of guilt in his voice.
“As for Miss Clarke, it’s my fault.
If I hadn’t come back, she probably wouldn’t feel the need to act just to get your attention…”
Colton's heart ached as he saw Melany so worried.
“It’s not your fault,” she replied firmly.
“Whatever game he’s playing, I’m not going to fall for it.
”
Melany's explanation seemed to make a lot more sense to him than the idea that Allison was trying to seduce someone in that way.
Her sudden appearance on the cruise, newly divorced, and then him witnessing her being molested? It all seemed like an elaborate ploy to get under his skin.
Colton's mind raced.
His expression hardened as his thoughts spiraled.
“Let’s see how he plans to wriggle out of this.
”