Chapter 182:
Joshua was perplexed, unable to think clearly as the weight of the situation settled in.
With a livid expression, he asked, “What exactly do you want?”
Caden casually crossed his legs and responded, “I’m your elder brother, here to assist. However, 3 billion dollars is a significant sum. Your sincerity needs confirmation.”
It dawned on Joshua then—Caden had orchestrated this as an insult. And his target was to humiliate him in front of Alicia!
Unable to retaliate or escape, Joshua felt trapped.
Caden possessed overwhelming evidence against him, and Joshua was unprepared for the confrontation.
With a smirk, Caden prodded, “Can’t swallow your pride? Why not ask the Yates or the Green family for help?”
The words struck a nerve. Joshua had once believed they would help, but when he needed them the most, they had disappeared.
Rooted to the spot, with fury in his eyes, Joshua stood helpless, feeling reduced to nothing more than a joke.
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Impatient, Caden declared, “It’s getting late. I’ll call the police to deal with you.”
This was the ultimatum.
Joshua’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked. Straining, he rasped, “Caden, what do you want from me?”
Caden’s sneer widened. “Need to borrow money?”
Joshua’s teeth ground together, nearly to the point of breaking. He was cornered, left with two dreadful choices—endure Caden’s insults or face incarceration.
In reality, he had no choice.
The bitter taste of blood filled his mouth as he forced out the word, “Yes.”
Caden’s smile turned icy. “Alicia has the funds. If you need money, ask her.”
Alicia raised her eyes.
She expected to feel discomfort seeing Joshua like this, but instead, a sense of satisfaction washed over her.
He had been manipulative and relentless, pursuing her even after their divorce. Now, at last, he was facing the consequences.
“Three billion dollars is no trivial amount, Mr. Yates. Now that you’ve dared to ask for it, can you actually repay it?” Alicia asked in an icy tone.
Joshua could hardly believe he had sunk so low in Alicia’s eyes.
Attempting a laugh, he asked, “Does it please you to see me like this?”
Alicia gave a small, indifferent smile. “Not really.”
Despite feeling defeated, Joshua’s pride lingered. “You despise me for my betrayal, yet you can’t hide the fact that you still care. You once loved me, remember?”
Alicia responded indifferently, “My displeasure comes from the loss I’d incur by lending you this money so easily. Mr. Yates, have you ever been slapped?”
Joshua was stunned.
“Do it yourself,” Alicia commanded harshly. “Slap yourself until I’m satisfied. Then I’ll consider lending you the money.”
Joshua’s eyes filled with rage.
“Is this why you sided with Caden, to humiliate me?” He bellowed, “Alicia, remember who supported you when you were down!”
“Sure, I remember your sweet-talking,” Alicia retorted. “And I haven’t forgotten your schemes on our anniversary, your involvement in my cyberbullying, and more. Shall we review the details?”
Joshua scoffed dismissively.
He ignored his faults and taunted, “The deeper the love, the deeper the hate, Alicia. Is this your way of showing your frustration at being unable to make me love you?”
Alicia felt a wave of revulsion.
She was about to rise, fist clenched, but Caden held her back and gestured for someone to approach. “Just a few slaps. If you can’t manage it, I’ll have someone else do the job,” he told Joshua.
Caden’s bodyguards entered, approaching Joshua directly and delivering a sharp slap.
Joshua, overwhelmed by humiliation and rage, attempted to resist. Yet, he was quickly subdued, outnumbered and restrained.
Caden observed the scene with a detached demeanor.
He then coolly directed Alicia, “You decide the number of slaps.”
The slaps echoed through the room, each one systematically breaking down Joshua’s pride.
Subdued, Alicia bowed her head and instinctively clutched Caden’s arm.
Caden glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. “Do you pity him?”
Before Alicia could respond, the door suddenly burst open.
Lilliana, visibly pregnant, entered with authority. “Stop this immediately!”
Though alone, her condition and commanding presence forced the bodyguards to stop.
Blood trickled from Joshua’s mouth as he stood defiantly, clinging to whatever dignity he had left.
Lilliana rushed to his side, her eyes welling with worried tears. “Joshua, are you alright?”
Alicia, having accomplished what she came for, lost interest in the scene unfolding before her.
Indifferently, she tugged at Caden’s arm. “We should leave.”
Caden, his gaze lingering on her hand, responded by tenderly caressing her fingers.
He then asked, “Now that you’ve had your say, when will you send the money?”
With a sly chuckle, Alicia glanced at Joshua, who looked utterly desolate.
“Did I promise to lend it?” she mused, feigning a thoughtful expression. “Oh, right, I suppose I did.” With a shrug, she added, “I’ve reconsidered. I won’t be lending the money after all.”
She then turned and exited briskly.
Joshua watched her leave, his intense gaze filled with unspoken fury.
Caden hesitated for a moment before stepping in front of Alicia, positioning himself to block Joshua’s view of her as she walked away.
