Chapter 140:
Feeling uplifted after her conversation with Gina, Alicia decided against inviting her for a meal due to the unusual circumstances and instead chose to meet Monica. She arranged a lavish spread of dishes on the table.
As Monica settled in, she asked, “Is it just us?”
Alicia, picking at her food to ease her hunger, nodded. “Yes, just the two of us.”
Monica surveyed the table, puzzled. “Is all this really just for…”
“It’s a celebration,” Alicia explained, briefly sharing the details of her recent split from Joshua. “I no longer have to go to the Yates Mansion or keep up appearances. Now, I can do whatever I want.”
She raised her glass of milk in a toast. “Gina has also offered her support.”
Monica, recognizing the significance of Alicia’s words, agreed that they indeed had reason to celebrate.
“Yet, you still seem down. Why is that?” Monica gently touched Alicia’s forehead.
Alicia offered a small smile. “No, I’m fine. I’m just really hungry.”
But in truth, Alicia felt rather somber. The events of the previous day at the Yates Mansion had left her mostly frightened, worried that they might act rashly. After addressing her foot injury, she had tried to talk to Caden, but his indifference had stung.
Eating quietly, Alicia turned to Monica. “Monica, would you join me somewhere after this?”
Alicia had enrolled in a fighting class, and Monica fully supported the decision. They had selected a competent instructor and signed up for multiple self-defense sessions.
They suited up in workout gear, ready to train.
Lᴀt𝑒st chαptєrs in g𝒶lnovels.c𝑜m
Monica, noticing Alicia’s distress, attributed it to the stress of recent events. “Picture Joshua as the punching bag. Hit it hard to release your anger. Afterward, you’ll feel ready to confront him.”
Alicia eyed the punching bag, considering it a worthwhile way to channel her emotions.
Monica grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, writing Joshua’s name on it. Then, she handed it to Alicia. After a brief moment of contemplation, Alicia wrote Caden’s name on another sheet and placed it on top of Joshua’s.
“Let’s hit them both,” Alicia declared.
Visualizing the papers as Caden’s face, she threw a forceful punch. The strike was so strong that Monica trembled. At that very moment in his office, Caden felt an unexpected shiver run down his spine.
He looked outside and noticed the sky had darkened once again.
Hank entered with a knock.
“Mr. Ward, haven’t you eaten anything today?” Hank asked, aware of how demanding Caden’s day had been and cautious of his temper, but still knowing it was crucial for Caden to eat.
Caden, no longer showing his displeasure, asked Hank to make a dinner reservation.
Sensing a shift in the atmosphere, Hank ventured cautiously, “Mr. Ward, has there been a disagreement with Ms. Bennett?”
Caden responded flatly, “Why would I quarrel with her?”
“You haven’t been home lately, and you seem… off. Who else but Ms. Bennett could be causing this?” Hank ventured a guess. “Did one of you make a mistake?”
Caden swiftly changed the subject. “How is the assignment I gave you progressing?”
“All in order,” Hank assured him promptly.
Caden had instructed Hank to contact Randolph and ask him to disrupt Joshua’s finances at the bank, as Joshua was preparing for an IPO and urgently needed the funds. Randolph’s interference had delayed several plans.
Hank couldn’t help but gloat. “The Yates family must be in turmoil now.”
Caden showed little interest, considering it just another task completed.
“A bigger surprise is coming,” he murmured, hinting at a shock that Alicia had orchestrated.
With Alicia on his mind, Caden felt a surge of agitation, almost like a teenager in love.
Just as they reached the restaurant, Joshua’s call came through.
“What’s happening, Joshua?” Caden answered.
“You’re quite the strategist, Caden,” Joshua’s voice carried a menacing undertone.
Laughing it off, Caden replied, “What’s the trouble? Just a cash flow issue, right? Does that confuse you?” The underlying rivalry was evident.
Joshua, out of options for retaliation, was resigned but had a different question.
“Is the timing of your move because of Alicia?”
