Villain Ch 1573. Betrayal by Sponge Texture
Allen stood, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeves more out of habit than anything else. The cake box was back in his hands, a little lighter now, no longer weighed down by memories of deadbeat contracts and half-choked childhoods.
Jordan watched him rise with that unreadable, calculating expression, but there was something softer there too. A flicker behind the eyes. Warm steel.
Allen shifted the box to one hand and gave a faint grin. "I'll take this to the kitchen. Don't want it to sit too long. Emma would probably cry if the chocolate starts to sweat."
Jordan leaned back in his seat, sipping the last of his tea. "Good."
Allen had turned halfway toward the door when Jordan added, "And Allen?"
He paused. Looked back.
Jordan's tone stayed calm, but there was weight behind every word. "You're not alone. Don't forget that."
Allen blinked, surprised by the sudden seriousness.
