Chapter 107:
Later, Rachel applied makeup and fetched a finer wine to make amends with Caden. Her eyes were puffy and red. “Mr. Ward, I would like to propose a toast in your honor. Otherwise, Randolph will have my head.”
Caden maintained a stoic demeanor and sipped the wine. This one was considerably stronger than the last. As it coursed down his throat, he winced ever so slightly.
Rachel then filled a glass for Alicia. “Ms. Bennett…”
Rachel’s voice was as feeble and pitiful as before. Struggling to hold back tears, she said, “I bear most of the blame for today. I am truly sorry; please forgive me.” Such a plea felt like moral blackmail to Alicia.
After being slapped, Rachel now approached her with humility. If Alicia chose to remain resentful, it would only paint her as unreasonable.
After a few seconds of silence, Alicia finally lifted her glass. Caden glanced in her direction and subtly nudged her under the table.
Alicia recognized the warning. He was silently cautioning her against drinking. But she bluntly replied, “Why did you kick me?”
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Caden was momentarily speechless. Alicia picked up her glass and addressed Rachel. “I cannot have wine, so I’ll just have water instead.” She then swapped the wine for water.
Rachel’s expression tightened momentarily, though it was hard to notice due to her swollen cheek. “Much appreciated, Ms. Bennett.”
Rachel squeezed her eyes shut and downed the wine. Her face immediately flushed a deep red.
Alicia responded with a small sip of water, feeling a little awkward under the gaze of the room. Rachel quickly turned away, embarrassed to be in the spotlight. She made her way toward Randolph, who was just a short distance away, and leaned gently against him.
She patted her back to offer some comfort.
Alicia took a seat. “It seems Randolph was able to calm her down. Did she just choose to overlook the slap so easily?”
Caden responded casually, “Neither of them is obligated to do anything against their will. It’s their affair. Don’t make it yours.”
Alicia rested her chin on her hand, suddenly intrigued. “Caden, given your unique temperament, if you were to marry, would you end up hitting your wife when you’re feeling stressed?”
Caden kept a straight face. “I would hit her even when I’m not feeling stressed.”
Alicia was taken aback. “You’re such a jerk.”
“I never specified where I would hit,” Caden replied, giving her a meaningful look.
Alicia instinctively retorted, “What kind of warped reasoning is that? Domestic violence is illegal, no matter where it occurs.”
Caden remarked, “You might want to check with the police about whether playful spanking in bed is illegal.”
Alicia was at a loss for words. Noticing her astonished expression, Caden smiled and began, “And also…”
Before he could continue, Alicia covered his mouth and said earnestly, “That’s enough.”
Caden playfully brushed her hand aside, teasing, “Do you have any idea what I was about to say?”
Alicia’s expression was blank, but her ears flushed red. She fought to keep her composure. “I know it wasn’t going to be anything appropriate.”
“Just standard sex education,” Caden replied, maintaining a serious tone.
Alicia was not convinced. She lowered her voice and said, “My biology teacher never mentioned anything about spanking in the context of sex.”
Caden let out a soft laugh. “I provide advanced lessons,” he remarked.
Alicia looked at his hand. She could easily imagine how he used to playfully spank women.
“No, thanks,” she replied, clearly annoyed.
As everyone wrapped up their meals, Alicia lost her appetite and made her way to the restroom. Caden moved in a different direction to rinse his mouth and wash his hands.
A sense of being watched nagged at him from behind. He chose not to glance back right away. Once he dried his fingers, he turned around. Outside, a crowd had gathered.
Yet, his target quickly caught his eye.
It was a servant from the Gray household.
The maid hesitated momentarily under his scrutiny before stepping forward. “Mr. Ward, would you care to take a break for a bit?”
Caden barely acknowledged her presence.
With a nonchalant tone, he inquired, “Where would I go?”
The maid responded, “Mr. Gray mentioned that you had a drink, so he thought you might appreciate some rest. He arranged a room for you.”
Cautious of potential deception, Caden replied, “That won’t be necessary. Have Randolph meet me in the living room. I need to speak with him.”
The maid hesitated, biting her lip for a few moments.
It was clear she was struggling to fulfill her task due to Caden’s response, but her timid nature prevented her from pressing further. She hurried off to locate Randolph.
Randolph’s expression darkened when he learned that Caden had not gone to rest in the designated room. However, he did not show any signs of anger. Instead, he simply dismissed the maid with a wave of his hand. Before long, Caden made his way into the living room. Randolph instructed someone to bring out a bowl of soup to help Caden regain his sobriety.
Caden declined the offer. “Mr. Gray, if you’re concerned about my inebriation, then why did you have Mrs. Gray serve such potent wine?”
Noticing Caden’s frosty demeanor, Randolph pressed further. “Mr. Ward, are you still bothered by Rachel’s treatment of Ms. Bennett?”
He had previously inquired of Rachel about the earlier incident.
Though it involved just a few women, Caden had stepped in.
He had defended Alicia with such transparency.
Concerned that Caden might have an interest in Alicia, Randolph felt compelled to address this.
Caden, seeing through Randolph’s motives, replied enigmatically, “She was my brother’s ex-wife. Now that she’s facing difficulties, what reason would I have not to assist her?”
