?<strong>Chapter 439:</strong>


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    Suddenly, Keanu’s knees buckled as he leaned on his cane, intending to kneel before her in thanks.


    “I am forever in your debt,” he whispered.


    As soon as he began to lower himself, gasps echoed through the crowd.


    “Keanu!”


    “Keanu! No!”


    “Mr. Stevens!”


    Several voices cried out at once, but Ken was the first to react. He quickly stepped forward, catching Keanu just in time and keeping him from kneeling.


    “Please, don’t do that,” Ken urged, his voice firm, though his brow furrowed in concern.


    Allison, equally shocked, hurried over and helped steady Keanu.


    “Keanu, please don’t do that. Others may say I’m disrespecting or even mistreating you,” she teased gently, patting the back of his hand in reassurance. “Besides, this was just a small favor. If you really see me as your granddaughter, there’s no need for all this formality.”


    Keanu’s voice softened as he met her eyes. “Allison, I do see you as my granddaughter, not an outsider.” His eyes remained misty for a while longer before he regained hisposure.


    With a deep sigh, a wave of nostalgia crossed his face. “Gregory and I… we shared a bond forged in the hardest of times. I couldn’t save him back then, but his painting… I have to save it.”


    Memories of the past resurfaced, and Keanu took a moment to steady himself.


    “I was overwhelmed… didn’t know how to thank you. But know this, as long as I’m around, I’ll do anything in my power to give you whatever you need.”


    His expression suddenly shifted to one of determination, as if he’d made up his mind about something.


    “I have an announcement to make— all my shares in the Stevens Group will be transferred to Allison.”


    The deration stunned everyone.


    Colton, in particr, clenched his fists, hardly believing what he’d just heard.


    His grandfather was going to give all his shares to Allison? No way!


    Mny, too, felt her knees go weak as the shock hit her. “Keanu, isn’t this inappropriate? Allison isn’t even family…” she managed, her voice shaky.


    The news had struck them all like a bolt of lightning. Allison frowned. “Keanu, this is too much. I can’t ept it.”


    For one, transferring the Stevens Group shares involvedplex interests with multiple parties. On a personal level, she wasn’t in need of money. She’d much rather Keanu keep the shares and use them to enjoy hister years.


    With so many illegitimate children in the Stevens family, if Keanu had nothing left, he might be treated poorly.


    Just as Keanu opened his mouth to insist, Allison cut him off quickly. “If you really want to repay me, why don’t you catch two big fish and make me some of your famous fish dishes? I haven’t had your cooking in forever.”


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