Chapter 79:
“That’s not what I meant. I just didn’t want to interrupt your time with Mrs. Gray,” Alicia explained.
“We’ve been married forever. You wouldn’t be interrupting anything,” Randolph replied firmly. “Come on, let’s go!”
Just as Alicia began to feel trapped, she noticed Caden walking nearby. He was leaving with Gerry and a few others.
For a brief moment, he glanced in her direction. Desperate for a way out, Alicia hoped he might come over, say something, and take her with him.
However, things never went the way she hoped. Usually, she couldn’t avoid Caden, but now, when she needed him, he acted indifferent. He looked away, pretending not to notice her.
Alicia was left utterly speechless.
Rachel then said, “Come on, Ms. Bennett. You bought me jewelry today, and I still owe you. Let me repay you with a meal.”
Alicia noticed Rachel’s rosy cheeks, and her expression was one of someone completely smitten. Alicia’s instincts told her something was off. It seemed Randolph and Rachel were planning something. Even though Alicia had her own agenda, if things spiraled out of control, it could all go wrong.
Just as she was looking for a way to decline, she heard Gerry’s voice from the doorway. “Alicia!”
At that moment, his voice was a welcome relief. “What’s going on, Mr. Hopkins?” Alicia turned toward him.
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He walked up to her and said, “Come with me. Hank’s already driving.”
Taking the opportunity, Alicia quickly said to Randolph, “Apologies, Mr. Gray, but I need to discuss some work with Mr. Hopkins. Let’s have that meal another time. It’ll be on me.”
Randolph glanced over at Gerry, standing in the distance. Aware of Gerry’s influential background, he didn’t push the matter further.
Alicia wasted no time and walked over to Gerry, giving him a thumbs-up.
Gerry raised an eyebrow. “What did I do to earn that?” Alicia smiled. “You showed up at just the right moment.”
Gerry glanced over at Randolph and Rachel. “Did they give you a hard time?” he asked.
“They didn’t, but thank you anyway,” Alicia replied.
“For giving you a lift?” Gerry said, opening the car door for her. “You’re thanking the wrong person. This is Caden’s car, and he’s the one who sent me to get you.”
Alicia looked up. Caden was sitting in the back seat, casually watching her.
She had dealt with him enough times by now. No matter how cunning he could be, she no longer feared him. Without hesitation, she got into the car and settled into her seat.
Gerry took the front passenger seat. “I had a few drinks, so I couldn’t drive. Plus, I didn’t notice you weren’t with us when we left. Caden reminded me.”
Alicia forced a smile. “Thank you, Mr. Ward.”
Caden casually responded, “No problem. It was nothing.” He was an expert at keeping up appearances. When he wasn’t scheming, he played the role of the mature, polished professional effortlessly.
Alicia realized Caden must have noticed her situation earlier. That was likely why he had Gerry come back for her. She lightly touched her nose. “Are you feeling any better from your cold?”
Caden raised an eyebrow. “Ms. Bennett, I’m impressed. You can actually show concern for someone else.” Alicia didn’t know how to respond and instantly regretted asking the question.
Caden smirked. “So, do you want me to get better or not?”
Alicia pressed her lips together. “Do you want the truth?”
“Either way works.”
“Well, you might not like the truth.”
Caden chuckled. “Looks like you got what you wanted. I’m not feeling too great.”
Upon hearing this, Alicia shifted further away. “Don’t pass it on to me.”
Gerry chimed in, “Can’t you two go a minute without bickering?”
Caden casually flipped through some documents. “With you and Hank around, we only exchange a few words. When we’re alone, things have even gotten physical.”
Alicia froze for a second, quickly understanding the double meaning behind Caden’s words. Caden shot her a glance, his smirk widening.
Beneath his calm facade, there was something sinister.
“Seriously, Caden?” Gerry turned in his seat, his voice full of disbelief. “How could you hit a woman?”
Caden’s gaze locked onto Alicia. “Did it hurt?”
Alicia’s ears flushed, and she chose to remain silent, awkwardly scratching her head to avoid the conversation.
Gerry misread the situation, assuming that Caden had mistreated her and left her upset.
With a serious tone, he said, “Stop giving Alicia a hard time. I need her to write songs for me.”
Caden smiled but remained silent.
Sounding concerned, Gerry asked, “Alicia, is your cold getting any better?”
Alicia nodded. “Yes, thank you for asking, Mr. Hopkins.”
“No problem,” Gerry replied with a smile, then paused as a thought crossed his mind. He looked between the two of them, studying them closely.
“How is it that you both caught colds at the same time?”
Alicia was unsure how to respond.
Caden smirked. “Quite the coincidence, isn’t it?”
Gerry’s suspicion grew.
“Wait a minute…” he narrowed his eyes, focusing on Caden’s lips. “Caden, that mark on your lip. Could it…”
