Chapter 10:
Joshua halted mid-stride, his heart dropping as he recalled Caden’s disheveled appearance just moments ago, along with the cold, threatening look Caden had given him.
An uneasy feeling gnawed at his gut. Once the thought took root, it spread like wildfire, burning through his mind.
Could the woman Caden was talking about be Alicia?
As they left the CEO’s office, Lilliana clung to Joshua’s arm, pulling him toward the elevator.
“Joshua,” Lilliana said softly, her voice laced with unease. “I never imagined Caden could rise so quickly, becoming CEO of Blizzard Group. And did you see the way he looked at you? Obviously, he hasn’t let go of his grudge. Oh, my God, I’m shaking! He’s so scary! I wouldn’t dream of crossing him! We might as well give up on pestering him with the acquisition for now. Who knows? Maybe working under him could open up bigger opportunities for us…”
Joshua’s frown deepened, her words barely registering as his mind wandered.
He gave a few half-hearted nods in acknowledgment before restlessly reaching for his phone.
“Sorry, Lilliana. Something came up. I’ll catch up with you later.”
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As he spoke, he dialed Alicia’s number.
However, what greeted him was the cold, robotic voice informing him that the number was unavailable. It turned out she had blocked him.
Meanwhile, back in the office, Alicia rose from her hiding spot, smoothing out her clothes as she stood.
She had overheard everything, and now she was starting to put two and two together.
“The woman Joshua was with—isn’t she that famous pop singer, Lilliana Green?” Alicia’s brows furrowed. The familiar name, “Lilliana,” echoed in her mind. The famous singer had deep connections in the entertainment world.
It had to be her. Lilliana Green had to be Joshua’s new partner—in more ways than one.
Caden, still reeling from the pain, eyed her sardonically.
“Your husband’s about to have a child with another woman, yet you still have no idea who she is?”
Alicia pursed her lips unhappily.
Then, suddenly recalling the reason she had come here, she glanced at the bite mark on Caden’s hand.
The area was still red and swollen, but the wound had already started to scab over.
With a calculated air, she relaxed her expression and let out a small sigh. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I bit you that hard,” she purred. “Hold on. Let me clean the wound.”
Taken aback, Caden arched his brows curiously. Looking into her beautiful, innocent eyes, his resolve wavered.
“The first aid kit is in the cabinet.”
He even moved his chair aside, giving Alicia some room to sit across from him.
Reclining in his chair, he seemed relaxed, his eyes lazily following Alicia’s movements as she carefully tended to his wound.
Predictably, after a stretch of silence, Alicia couldn’t hold back any longer.
“So, you’ve acquired Lilliana’s company. Does that mean you’re taking her, too?”
Caden smirked, easily reading the undercurrent of her question.
“Are you begging me to deal with her?”
Alicia’s lips twitched in irritation.
“I refuse to beg. Besides, I know you won’t help me anyway.”
“At least you’re self-aware,” he drawled, his voice dripping with smugness.
His arrogance grated on her nerves, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Instead, she pressed the iodine-soaked cotton ball against his wound with just a little more force than necessary, her own brand of petty revenge.
But Caden didn’t even flinch. His expression remained maddeningly calm.
“Go on, press harder if you want. Just make sure the virus is completely eradicated.”
What?
Couldn’t he feel any pain?
With a sigh, Alicia peeled off a band-aid, her patience running thin.
“So,” she asked again, more insistent this time. “Are you keeping Lilliana or not?”
Caden’s lips curved into a sly smile, his eyes glinting with amusement.
“If you don’t want me to, just beg me, and I shall oblige.”
Alicia couldn’t help but laugh, the absurdity of it all bringing a smirk to her own lips.
She met his gaze with a raised brow, her tone edged with sarcasm.
“Why? She’s incredibly popular, sings beautifully, and if she endorses your products, she’d make you a fortune.”
Caden narrowed his eyes slightly, picking up on her little schemes, but he was curious enough to play along.
“You think so? I do, too.”
Alicia stood up, dusting off her hands as if the conversation just now had no bearing on her.
“All done. Now, hand over my ring.”
This time, Caden didn’t hesitate.
He obediently placed the ring in her outstretched palm. However, just as she was about to withdraw her hand, he suddenly seized her wrist and pulled her sharply toward him.
The movement was so sudden that she barely had time to gasp before he leaned in close, his breath warm against her neck.
Then came the sharp sting. Alicia’s body tensed as a shocked gasp escaped her lips.
“Ugh!”
But the pain wasn’t the worst part—it was the teasing way his lips and teeth grazed her skin that sent a shiver down her spine, leaving her breathless and disoriented. This jerk!
Caden finally released her with a satisfied smirk, the light bite nothing more than a wicked reminder of who was in control. For now.
Alicia pressed her hand against the bite mark, her cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment.
Her eyes shot daggers at him, but her fury only seemed to amuse him.
“What’s with the violent reaction? Don’t tell me Joshua never bit you like that.”
Alicia ground her teeth in frustration, but she knew better than to engage.
When it came to shameless provocations, Caden would always have the upper hand. So, instead of taking the bait, she grabbed her bag and turned to leave in one swift motion.
Behind her, Caden reached for the phone, casually dialing the intercom. Moments later, Hank entered the room, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“Mr. Ward, you called?” Hank asked, unsure.
Without even looking up, Caden responded coolly,
“Get me a rabies vaccine.”
Hank blinked in disbelief.
“Uh… what?”
Alicia, already at the door, couldn’t help but laugh under her breath. She glanced at Hank and said, with a mischievous glint in her eyes,
“Make it two while you’re at it.”
Two could play this game.
Hank hesitated, staring between them before backing out of the room, clearly bewildered.
Of course, no real rabies vaccine would be fetched. Hank returned with something far less dramatic—just a vial of glucose.
Alicia discarded the used syringe with a graceful flick of her wrist, then looked back at Caden, her expression calm but cutting.
“Take care, Ms. Bennett,” Caden said tauntingly. “And when you finally succeed in dragging Joshua back into your mess of a life, do let me know—I’ll be sure to stop by and offer my congratulations.”
Alicia, unfazed, met his gaze nonchalantly.
“You know, Mr. Ward, instead of meddling in my life, maybe you could use the time to improve your… elementary bedroom skills. Truly, it’s embarrassing.”
At this, Caden’s expression hardened. The playful glint in his eye faded into darkness, replaced by something far more dangerous.
Elementary skills?
Embarrassing?
