Chapter 73:
Caden stared back, his expression deadpan, betraying no emotion. Gerry, interpreting Caden’s calm demeanor as confirmation of his suspicions, cried out emotionally, “When did this start? Is it in the early or late stages?”
Caden remained silent, resisting the urge to engage. Why bother conversing with an imbecile?
The doctor, meanwhile, pressed his fingers more firmly against Caden’s wrist, furrowing his brow in concentration. “I assumed your pale complexion was from general weakness, but it seems you’re suffering from significant stress.”
Gerry let out a relieved sigh, glad to hear it wasn’t some dire, life-threatening condition after all.
Not missing a beat, the doctor asked, “Is your sex life normal?”
His tone was so casual, it was as though he were commenting on the weather.
Caden responded just as coolly. “Yes.”
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Gerry’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. Could he have misheard?
Hank, standing nearby, looked equally stunned. Caden? A normal sex life? Since when?
The doctor’s fingers twitched slightly, a shadow of skepticism crossing his face. “How frequently?”
Caden flicked a glance in Alicia’s direction, a small, almost imperceptible smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “At least once a day.”
Alicia’s heart skipped a beat. “Once a day?” she thought to herself, her mind racing. “And why is he looking at me like that? I’m not part of this equation!”
Finally, the doctor released Caden’s wrist, his expression unreadable.
Gerry, ever curious, pressed on. “So, what’s wrong with him, Doc?”
The doctor sighed. “He’s not being entirely truthful, so I can’t give an accurate diagnosis. The last time I felt a pulse like this, it was from someone who’d never been intimate with anyone.”
Caden stiffened, his calm exterior faltering for just a moment. “Seriously, doc?” he cursed inwardly. “No need to expose me like that.”
Gerry’s lips curled into a sneer. “Why are you lying to the doctor, Caden? Just answer his questions!”
Without missing a beat, Caden turned the tables, his voice steady. “How many times a day do you do it, Gerry?”
Gerry went silent, momentarily lost for words.
Caden didn’t stop there. “At least I’m not a virgin. How about you, Mr. Hopkins? What age did you finally lose yours?”
Gerry’s face flushed with frustration, his brows furrowed in agitation. “There’s a lady here! Keep it down!” he snapped, trying to regain control of the conversation.
Unfazed, Caden smirked and taunted, “Your reaction says it all. Still a virgin, huh?”
Gerry stood there, struck silent by the jab. His mouth opened, but no words came out as he turned hastily to Alicia, his face a mix of embarrassment and desperation. “He’s just spouting nonsense. Don’t listen to him!”
Alicia, her expression cool and composed, merely nodded as if she hadn’t heard a word. As if on cue, her phone set off an alarm, and she quickly pressed it to her ear to “answer” it.
She walked away, pretending to be on the phone with someone as she put more distance between herself and the uncomfortable scene. Yet despite her calm exterior, her little act was far from perfect. The strain in her posture betrayed her.
The doctor, amused by the exchange, chuckled softly. “Mr. Ward, there’s no need to worry. It’s nothing serious. Just be sure to get plenty of rest. As for sex,” he added with a knowing smile, “you’re an adult. You can go ahead whenever you’re ready. Don’t hold back, or it might cause some issues.”
Caden gave a brief nod, his expression unreadable as he adjusted his cufflinks with practiced precision. His demeanor remained polished and composed, exuding the elegance usually reserved for royalty.
The doctor offered again, “I can prescribe you some medicine for that cold.”
“No need.”
As Alicia wandered further away, Caden’s eyes trailed her subtle movements. She casually picked up a drink, scanning the room until her gaze landed on Rachel.
Gerry noticed, too. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “When did Alicia get so chummy with Randolph and Rachel?”
Caden, knowing full well the answer, simply shrugged. “No idea.”
Gerry pondered aloud, “Maybe she’s thinking of joining the bank? It’s absurd she wouldn’t work with me, opting for something less professional instead.”
Caden shot him a sidelong glance, his tone dry. “Maybe it’s because you’re ugly and you talk too much.”
Gerry balked. “Ugly? You serious, Caden? Look at me! Sure, I might not outshine you, but I’m definitely better looking than Randolph.”
Caden’s lips twitched into a smirk. “If you’re not ugly, why are you still single?”
Gerry straightened, feigning seriousness. “I haven’t found anyone worth my time yet. Unlike you, I have standards. I don’t chase after every woman who walks into the club.”
Hank, who had been listening quietly, looked startled. When had that happened? He hadn’t heard anything about it. And who was the woman in question?
Gerry, suddenly remembering something, turned back to Caden. “By the way, did you actually call for someone last time? I asked the boss, and he said you didn’t.”
Instead of answering, Caden took a slow sip of warm water.
But Gerry, persistent as ever, leaned forward with a sly grin. “So, who was the woman you were spooning with that night?”
Caden shot him a dark look, as though the question itself was beneath him. There had only been three people involved that night. Was it really that difficult to figure out?
“Why don’t you try using that head of yours and figure it out?”
Gerry furrowed his brow, thinking hard. Caden, on the other hand, took another sip. The water was lukewarm and unpleasant now, a stale reminder of his current misery. His illness only made it worse; his throat throbbed with every swallow, and the water tasted terrible. Annoyed, he set the glass down with a faint scowl.
Suddenly, Gerry’s face lit up, and he practically shouted, “I’ve got it!”
Caden gave him a half-hearted glance, his voice dry and dismissive. “Took you long enough.”
With a self-satisfied smirk, Gerry declared, “You paid off the boss so he wouldn’t tell me, didn’t you? You didn’t want me to know!”
Caden stared at him, dumbfounded. He turned to Hank with a raised brow. “Are all virgins this clueless?”
Hank blinked, unsure of how to respond. Not all of them, surely…
Caden smirked. “Oh, right. I forgot you’re a virgin too.”
Hank was left speechless, mentally rolling his eyes. Caden had no right to boast.
“If Alicia hadn’t been drugged, you’d still be one yourself,” Hank thought with a silent scoff.
Eventually, Gerry gave up on guessing, sinking back into his chair.
He glanced around the room, observing people mingling and exchanging empty compliments. The whole event felt pointless, a tedious obligation with no real substance.
He sighed. “Since when did you start caring about these meaningless social gatherings? Randolph’s just a deputy manager. You don’t owe him anything, yet here you are—sick, no less. What’s the point?”
Caden didn’t respond. Instead, he picked up his glass and stood up.
Gerry frowned. “Where are you going?”
Caden glanced back over his shoulder, his voice flat. “Anywhere that’s far away from you.”
