Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
What was she thinking? It all felt so foolish.
Her voice turned cold. “If I don’t take responsibility for myself, what am I supposed to do? Depend on you? Instead of lecturing me, why don’t you help make my life easier?”
Ignoring Dorian’s attempts to intervene, she abruptly left the room.
Dorian sighed, feeling caught between Regina and Yolanda. “Regina, why keep arguing with her? She’s still so immature.”
Regina rubbed her temples in frustration. “Just let her be.”
Dorian’s expression darkened. “Caden isn’t that heartless. You heard him earlier-he spent hundreds of millions on medical equipment for her treatment. He’s trying to make her life a bit better.”
Regina shot him a sharp look. “He did that because he wants to distance himself from us. Can’t you see that?”
Dorian fell silent, unable to refute her claim.
To Caden, Yolanda’s situation was trivial; he didn’t dwell on it.
He sat on the edge of the bed, scrolling through his phone for messages. His inbox was flooded with unread texts, but none were from Alicia.
That was unusual.
The gallery had been expanding rapidly lately, and Alicia always kept him updated on her achievements and sought his input on questions.
Didn’t she find it odd that he hadn’t been around this morning?
Caden’s brow furrowed slightly as he pondered this.
Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a call from Gerry.
Gerry’s excited voice came through the line. “I just bought a new sports car! It’s awesome. I’ll pick you up this afternoon, okay? Let’s go to the celebration party together.”
“Celebration party?” Caden repeated, his tone flat.
Gerry sounded surprised. “Yeah, Alicia’s party. Didn’t you know?”
Caden rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
Alicia’s celebration party?
He vaguely recalled her mentioning it once-she had promised to throw a gathering once she was settled in. However, her hectic schedule had always kept her from making any concrete plans.
What had she said back then?
Once everything was arranged, he would be at the top of her guest list.
She had even called him her most significant supporter. Yet here he was, completely in the dark, while Gerry had apparently received an invitation.
Caden snorted in frustration. He told Gerry curtly, “No need to pick me up. I’m busy.”
Oblivious to the tension in his voice, Gerry lamented, “I just got this car, you know. It’s the only one in Warrington! No amount of money can get you another one. Cliff had to pull some serious strings to get it here. Aren’t you even a little tempted to take it for a spin?”
Caden yanked off his tie in exasperation. “Why don’t you just drive your flashy car all the way to the moon?”
Gerry was taken aback. “What’s got you so riled up?”
Caden didn’t bother explaining. He ended the call abruptly, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior.
Without hesitation, he swiftly dialed Alicia’s number, eager for answers.
On the other end of the line, a discord of sounds filled the background, but Alicia’s voice rang out, clear and cheerful. “What’s up?”
Hearing her lighthearted tone, Caden couldn’t help but scowl. “You seem pretty busy, don’t you?”
“A little,” Alicia replied casually. “Aren’t you busy as well? I’m surprised you found time to call me.”
“Why should I be busy?” he retorted, his irritation seeping into his words.
Noticing his sharp tone, Alicia chose not to escalate things. “I don’t know, but I can tell you that I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.”
Caden detected something unusual in her voice.
It sounded too considerate, too measured, to be genuine.
He ventured, “Are you upset because I didn’t say goodbye before I left this morning?”
Alicia smiled brightly. “Why would I be upset? I wouldn’t bother saying goodbye when I leave either.”
Caden fell silent for a moment.
He had planned to explain his sudden departure, but now it felt pointless. Why even bother?
After a pause, he asked, “So, Ms. Bennett, is there room for me at your celebration party?”
Alicia hadn’t anticipated the question.
“I meant to mention it, but I didn’t want to interrupt you,” she replied smoothly. “Mr. Ward, if you’re available, you’re more than welcome to come. I’ll even come pick you up myself.”
Caden let out a short, sharp snort. “Of course. I’ll definitely be there.”
The moment he hung up, his expression darkened. Adjusting his tie, he instructed the driver, “Take me to the Yates Mansion.”
Alicia held her phone tightly, her gaze lingering on the screen for a long time.
Though she had been busy all day, her thoughts constantly drifted back to him.
But what good did it do to dwell on Caden?
He needed Yolanda’s support. It was a work-related issue-a serious matter. Whether or not Caden was aware of Yolanda’s feelings for him was irrelevant. That was something between them.
Alicia had no standing in Caden’s personal affairs.
She reminded herself to focus on her own business.
Caden arrived at the Yates Mansion.
Jerald wasn’t surprised by Caden’s unexpected visit. He knew Caden well-both ruthless and patient.
Since his return to the country, Caden had been carefully plotting. Joshua’s downfall was merely one step in his plan to unleash his anger.
Jerald was acutely aware that he was Caden’s next target. Yet, as Caden’s father, he refused to show any fear.
Maintaining a calm demeanor, Jerald descended the stairs slowly, leaning on his cane.
Caden lounged on the sofa, lighting a cigarette. Without a second thought, he flicked the ash directly into the tea Shelia had brought him.
Her expression darkened at the sight.
She assisted Jerald in taking a seat.
“What brings you here?” Jerald sneered. “I can’t believe you actually set foot in this place, Caden.”
Caden raised his head, his gaze icy and calm, like a still lake.
“I came to check on you because I was concerned you might not handle the shock and could end up collapsing. I brought you something that might help,” he said evenly.
Only then did Jerald notice the box resting on the table.
He scoffed dismissively. “If you genuinely cared about my well-being, you wouldn’t have treated Joshua so harshly.”
Caden chuckled softly. “Would you be willing to endure his suffering for him?”
Jerald deflected with practiced ease. “Caden, you really are cold-hearted. Every family has its ups and downs. It’s perfectly normal for brothers to clash when they’re younger. Do you really need to hold onto this grudge?”
Caden’s expression remained impassive as he replied, “You’re right. It’s normal for brothers to fight. After all, Joshua isn’t dead. So why are you so anxious?”
Jerald’s expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of concern flashing across his face.
“You won’t even show mercy to your own brother. In the end, you’ll be the one to suffer. Every wicked deed brings its own consequences.”
“I believe that,” Caden said, a chilling smile playing on his lips, his gaze razor-sharp. “You’re experiencing the consequences of your actions right now.”
“I’m not as ruthless as you!” Jerald shot back, his tone tinged with desperation.
Caden crushed his cigarette into the ashtray with deliberate force, leaning forward as he rested his arms on his knees. His gaze locked on Jerald, unwavering.
“Oh really? You’ve never betrayed your own family?”
Before Jerald could muster a defense, Caden pressed on, his voice low but cutting. “My mother died during childbirth. The baby-perfectly healthy-suffocated in the womb. Tell me, was that not a result of your actions?”
Jerald froze, stunned by the accusation, his composure momentarily shattered.
The frigid grin lingering on Caden’s face sent a chill down his spine.
It was as if Caden had dropped his mask, revealing sharp, predatory teeth, poised to strike.
“That was a case of medical negligence. How is that my fault?” Jerald’s complexion drained of color. “I understand your bitterness toward me, but I didn’t kill anyone. I refuse to take the blame!”
Caden’s reply was slow and deliberate. “Your acknowledgment means nothing to me. I will act according to my own will.”
A chill of sweat broke out on Jerald’s brow.
He recognized Caden’s power, but he hadn’t anticipated that Caden would know about that past incident. The situation was spiraling rapidly out of his control.