Chapter 206:
Caden’s face showed little emotion, but Gerry could sense his irritation.
“No,” Caden replied curtly.
Gerry, enjoying Caden’s discomfort, continued to provoke him. He detailed Alicia’s recent troubles, exaggerating them to make her seem particularly unfortunate.
“She’s alienated so many people. I doubt she’ll last the year,” he mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “Such a tragedy for someone so promising.”
Caden remained stoic, his attention still focused on the newspaper, unresponsive.
“People die every day. Why should we mourn her?” he remarked, his tone devoid of emotion.
“You don’t feel any sympathy for her?” Gerry prodded, observing Caden closely.
“I don’t have time for this,” Caden dismissed.
“And what if something does happen to her? Would you intervene?” Gerry asked, smiling knowingly.
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“No,” Caden replied quickly and emotionlessly.
“You didn’t even hesitate,” Gerry noted with disbelief. “You once saved her when you were competitors. Now that you have feelings for her, you won’t act?”
Caden furrowed his brow. “Why do you think I care about her?” Since Alicia had left, Caden hadn’t spared her another thought. He had reverted to his strict routine, immersing himself in work, ensuring that no time was wasted.
He had even managed to visit Joy Mansion during his hectic schedule.
However, Gerry, ever the idler, remarked, “You’re avoiding the truth by burying yourself in work.”
“You have too much free time,” Caden retorted.
Gerry laughed. “Struck a nerve, did I? You’re upset because I’m right.”
Caden folded the newspaper and stood up.
Gerry taunted as he followed, “You fall for a woman for the first time, and look where it gets you. I should feel pity, but somehow, I find it amusing. Even I, who’ve never been with anyone, am happier than you. What is it about you that Alicia disliked? Could it be how you are in bed? Or was it why she left with someone else that day?”
Caden stopped at the door, contemplating his next move. Gerry spotted Ciara and Yolanda outside, and immediately stopped talking.
Ciara, who was arranging flowers with Yolanda, noticed them. “Are you leaving already?” she asked.
Yolanda glanced up at Caden.
Caden responded coolly, “Gerry’s having an episode. We need to get him to the hospital for a shot.”
Gerry, caught off guard, remained silent, especially with Ciara present.
It was getting late, so Ciara didn’t try to keep them any longer.
As they settled into the car, Caden asked nonchalantly, “Did Alicia mention the gallery to you?”
Gerry was puzzled. “What gallery?”
Caden’s expression turned somber. “Never mind.” It seemed Alicia wasn’t interested.
“Fine. I won’t push it,” Caden decided.
Ciara then advised Yolanda, who was lingering, “You’re not feeling well. Try to get some rest early.”
Yolanda hesitated, her thoughts preoccupied. She had overheard Gerry’s comments about Caden experiencing love for the first time. Could Caden be involved with someone?
Yolanda had harbored feelings for Caden since her childhood, but her frail health had often sidelined her. Now, seizing an opportunity for a marriage alliance, she had disregarded Dorian’s advice and come to Warrington, hoping to forge a closer bond with Caden.
Was it too late?
If Caden was indeed involved with someone, why hadn’t anyone spoken of her? Yolanda voiced her concern to Ciara. “Is Caden still single?” she asked.
Ciara observed Yolanda’s anxious expression and replied with a gentle smile, “He keeps his personal life private, so I’m not sure.”
Yolanda bit her lip. “But if he’s already committed, why would he accept my father’s marriage proposal?”
“He agreed to your father’s proposal?” Ciara replied in surprise. “That’s news to me.”
Yolanda was taken aback. She grew slightly pale and expressed her concern. “I thought Caden brought me to Warrington for that reason.”
“You should speak with Caden to clear up any misunderstandings,” Ciara suggested before heading upstairs.
Once Ciara had closed the door behind her, she exhaled deeply and remarked to Jasmine, “I’m relieved I’m not young anymore. Living day after day with such a difficult daughter-in-law would wear me out if I were Caden’s mother.”
Jasmine, who tended to take things at face value, responded, “But Mrs. Ward, isn’t she quite gentle?”
Ciara scoffed, “That means little. She’s dishonest. She fabricates events as if they’re absolute and points fingers at Caden.” It was clear why Caden had never developed feelings for her over the years.
Jasmine was puzzled by Ciara’s perspective but noted one thing distinctly. “It seems Miss Moss doesn’t quite match her in beauty.”
Ciara suddenly looked up, her movement sharp. “You’ve seen her?”
Jasmine confirmed, “Yes, I encountered her once outside Mr. Ward’s office. She’s the heiress of the prestigious Bennett family, which fell apart three years ago.”
