Chapter 247:
Caden appreciated talent, and Yolanda undoubtedly had plenty.
He genuinely admired her skills.
Alicia couldn’t help but smile, feeling happy for him. “That’s wonderful. I’ve heard so much about the Moss family’s achievements. They’re truly impressive,” she remarked.
Caden nodded thoughtfully. “Dorian is getting older, and Yolanda hasn’t been well. I need to put my other projects on hold for the time being.”
Alicia resisted the urge to ask about Yolanda’s condition. She’d learned to avoid prying too deeply into Caden’s personal affairs, fearing that showing too much interest might drag her back into emotional complications she had only recently managed to escape.
But to say she didn’t care at all—that would have been a lie.
“Hey, Caden,” Alicia said suddenly, as a thought crossed her mind. She gently nudged him. “Could you remind the housekeeper to feed Cade tomorrow morning?”
“Sure thing,” he replied, reaching out to squeeze her hand.
Her hand was slender and soft, though he noticed the faint roughness of calluses on her fingertips.
“What’s with the rough spots?” he asked, running his thumb gently over her fingers.
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Alicia glanced down at her hand. “Just too much paperwork lately.”
“Are you left-handed?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Alicia nodded. “My dad didn’t like that I was left-handed. He tried to correct it when I was young, but it always felt more natural to use my left hand.”
She paused, her thoughts drifting to the past. Before her divorce, she had always felt confined, constantly striving to meet everyone else’s expectations.
But opening her gallery had changed everything. For the first time, she felt like she was truly living for herself.
She turned to Caden, her gaze soft with genuine warmth. “Thank you, Caden.”
Caden’s response was a light chuckle. Leaning in, he pressed his lips to hers in a tender, lingering kiss.
As they parted, her eyes twinkled mischievously. “Just don’t forget Cade, okay?”
Caden let out a thoughtful sigh, lying back and gazing at the ceiling. “Maybe I should change my name,” he mused, half-joking.
Alicia laughed softly, cocooning herself in the blanket as she rolled over to face the other side, drifting off to sleep.
The next morning, as Alicia stepped into her office, she noticed an anonymous package waiting on her desk.
Assuming it was something she’d ordered online, she casually unwrapped it.
To her surprise, inside was a sleek, compact smart device, about half a meter tall.
Recognizing it as one of the latest releases from Caden’s company, she smiled, assuming he had sent it over for her to try.
With a small, curious grin, she powered it on.
Her smile vanished in an instant.
The device suddenly projected a video onto the wall—a disturbing scene where the female protagonist was in a degrading position, being roughly treated by a group of men.
Alicia’s face flushed with shock, her heart pounding. She quickly turned it off, her hands trembling.
Relief washed over her as she realized she was alone. The thought of someone else walking in and witnessing the video made her stomach churn with mortification.
Anger surged within her as she grabbed her phone and dialed Caden’s number.
Caden was in the middle of a meeting, but the moment he saw Alicia’s call, he answered without hesitation.
“Caden, you sick bastard!” she snapped, her voice sharp and filled with fury.
There was a moment of stunned silence on his end.
Alicia’s voice, though not on speaker, seemed to echo in the solemn atmosphere of the room.
Caden’s employees froze, their heads bowing as they pretended to be engrossed in their notes, avoiding eye contact with their boss.
Swiftly, Caden ended the call, his expression tight as he addressed the room. “Now, where were we? Continue.”
Meanwhile, as her initial fury subsided, Alicia glanced at her phone and noticed a message from Caden:
“I’m in a meeting. I’ll deal with you after it’s over.”
The direct tone of his message made her pause.
Her anger began to waver as realization crept in.
Something didn’t add up.
She knew Caden too well to believe he’d send something so twisted, even if his tastes sometimes leaned toward unconventional.
Puzzled, Alicia scrutinized the package again, noticing that the sender’s details had been meticulously scrubbed off. She quickly dialed the receptionist to inquire about its origin and learned it had arrived via a regular courier service.
Just as she ended the call, her phone rang again. The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number.
Curious yet cautious, she answered. A soft, teasing voice drifted through the receiver.
“Did you enjoy the gift, Ms. Bennett?”
Alicia’s heart sank as she recognized the voice—it was Yolanda.
Yolanda continued, her tone almost apologetic. “I couldn’t make it to your celebration party yesterday because of my health. I’m really sorry.”
Alicia’s jaw tightened, but she kept her voice calm and unwavering. “No need to apologize, Yolanda. I didn’t invite you in the first place.”
Yolanda chuckled softly, her voice dripping with feigned innocence. “Did you like the gift?”
Alicia’s stomach churned as the memory of the video resurfaced. Forcing herself to remain composed, she responded, “What are you getting at?”
“Oh, isn’t your role to satisfy Caden?” Yolanda’s words dripped with insinuation. “You haven’t been with him long and are quite young. I thought some… resources might help you learn. Caden would be pleased too.”
Alicia’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Speaking from personal experience, Miss Moss?”
Unbothered, Yolanda replied smoothly, “No, not at all. But you did remind me of that girl in the video. I was struck by the resemblance—though your potential seems greater. I’m sure you’ll surpass her eventually.”
Her tone remained gentle, almost pleasant, but her words were laced with venom—a subtle jab delivered without a single harsh word.
Alicia’s voice remained steady. “If you have a point, Yolanda, make it. There’s no need for all this pretense.”
She knew the video was only the beginning of Yolanda’s scheme.
A mocking laugh slipped from Yolanda. “You’re a smart woman; do I really need to spell it out? Women like you cling to virtue as if it’s all they have. It’s admirable, really.”
Her voice softened, yet her words cut deep. “After all, what else do you have to offer?”
Alicia caught the ominous undertone in Yolanda’s words. “So, you’re saying that if I don’t comply, I’ll end up like the woman in that video?”
“Ms. Bennett,” Yolanda purred, her tone laced with mock sweetness. “You’re quick on the uptake.”
Now it was Alicia’s turn to laugh, her voice carrying a note of defiance. “Miss Moss, I’d suggest you enjoy what you’ve earned so far. You’ve been a great help to Caden, and you’ve clearly succeeded in many ways. Congratulations.”
Her tone hardened, sharp and unwavering. “But let me be clear—if you intend to break the law, I’m no pushover. I’ll fight back every step of the way.”
