Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia called the housekeeper to clear the table, then put apples and hawthorn in a small pot to brew a digestive drink.
She poured each of them a glass.
As they sipped, Caden lowered his gaze to his phone, casually browsing for a watch to buy Gerry.
Absurd as Gerry’s actions were today, he had ultimately done it for Caden’s sake and deserved a reward. While filling in the address, Caden asked, “Where are you staying these days?”
Gerry, looking satisfied and relaxed, replied, “At home. I’ve blown all my money on actors, and my dad cut off my allowance. I’m basically living like a pauper.”
“Good to know,” Caden replied, adjusting the address.
As Gerry drank the sweet hawthorn tea, he remarked, “Alicia, don’t marry Caden. It’d be way too much of a bargain for him.”
Caden raised an eyebrow. “I’ll give you one chance to say that again.”
Gerry grinned defiantly. “Alicia, marry me instead. I know better than him how to treat someone right.”
Caden smirked, unfazed. “Alright then.” He put his phone away. “I bought you a gift. Make sure you’re there to sign for it first thing in the morning.”
Gerry quickly backtracked, chuckling nervously. “You two are a perfect match. I wouldn’t dream of interfering.”
Caden said nothing, merely calling Cliff to arrange for Gerry to be picked up.
Gerry knew that Caden was selective with his gifts, but when he did give one, it was always something valuable. So, he woke up early the next morning, eager to see what the surprise was.
When the delivery man arrived with a large, heavy box, Gerry’s excitement grew. “What’s in there?” he asked eagerly, eyeing the hefty box. “It looks heavy!”
The delivery man nodded seriously. “Just be careful with it. Don’t shake it.”
Gerry’s curiosity peaked. “Must be something precious,” he murmured, already imagining the possibilities. With barely contained anticipation, he tore open the box-only to come face-to-face with a large, vibrant green toad staring back at him.
Gerry froze, blinking in disbelief.
He rummaged through the box, expecting there to be something else-a hidden gift, perhaps-but found nothing.
Realizing he’d been pranked, he picked up his phone and called Caden, his tone demanding. “Why did you send me a toad?”
Caden’s voice came through, calm and almost amused.
“Tell me, who do you think Alicia should marry?”
Gerry muttered a curse under his breath. “It was just a joke. Why do you have to be so petty?”
He had thought Alicia was so welcoming that he might just drop by Caden’s place every day for meals – maybe ruffle his feathers a little while he was at it. After all, it was Caden who belittled him first, saying he wasn’t even as important as a dog.
He didn’t expect that, in return, Caden would give him a toad, implying he shouldn’t reach beyond his league. Just as he finished his outburst, the little toad hopped out of the box and landed right on his hand.
Startled, Gerry yelped, swearing as he flung the toad off and cursed Caden.
Caden calmly held his phone away from his ear, unbothered by the noise. “If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll make sure it ends up in your mouth.”
Gerry, now panting, stomped on the ground to keep the toad at bay. “Are you serious, Caden?”
Caden’s response was cool. “Since when have I not been?”
Gerry hesitated before asking, “So… are you actually planning to marry Alicia?”
A tense silence stretched between them.
Finally, Caden replied, his tone low, “If not marrying her means losing her, then yes, she’ll marry me.”
Summer had arrived in Warrington, the air alive with the relentless drone of cicadas. To some, it was grating, but to Corey, it felt like a celebration.
In just two months, he had optimized the Q Robot and launched it with a high-profile promotion, marking the first salvo of a new business battle.
Meanwhile, Alicia had been glued to the Q Robot’s sales data all day. Corey’s reach and influence were more powerful than she had imagined.
Later, she visited Caden’s office to discuss her findings.
“If it weren’t for Corey, I wouldn’t have realized just how many wealthy people there are in this country,” she said, marveling at the numbers. “I’d never even dream of seeing that kind of money.”
Caden had noticed the surge in sales, but his perspective was different.
“Launching something like this in a high-end market demands a huge investment,” he observed. “Q targets elite clients, which means their expectations will be sky-high. They’re raking in money now, but they’ll have countless issues down the road. It might not end well.”
Alicia sighed with relief. “I thought you weren’t going to intervene.”
“I haven’t,” Caden replied coolly. “Whether Corey makes a fortune or goes broke, it’s not my concern.”
“Then what have you been doing all this time?” she asked, curious.
“Digging into Corey’s secrets,” he replied, a glint of intrigue in his eyes.
Alicia was about to press him further when Hank entered, announcing, “Sir, Corey is here.”
Corey entered, bearing gifts.
On the very first day of Q’s sales – before any profits were officially in – he had already withdrawn a significant sum from his own account to hand over to Caden.
The amount was astonishing.
Caden set the check down with a wry smile. “You made the chip for the Q Robot. I can’t take it all for myself. From now on, we’ll split the profits seventy-thirty, with you taking the larger share. This is the first payment, and from here on out, we’ll settle payments annually by year’s end.”
Caden listened, sensing the deeper implications behind the offer. For an opponent to walk so confidently into his territory with such a generous proposal wasn’t just a gesture of goodwill – it was a calculated business maneuver.
Crossing his legs, Caden spoke calmly. “It’s only been a few years, and the once down-and-out Mr. Hampton is now throwing money around without a second thought.”
Corey chuckled, unbothered. “Isn’t that what money’s for?”
“What do you want from me?” Caden cut straight to the point.
Corey smirked. He enjoyed negotiating with sharp minds-it saved time. “I want someone.”
Caden’s eyes narrowed, the answer already forming in his mind. Still, he asked coolly, “Who?”
Corey’s gaze shifted to the side, landing pointedly on Alicia.
He spoke slowly, deliberately. “Your girlfriend.”
Alicia’s brow furrowed, a flicker of unease crossing her face.
Caden’s expression darkened.
Corey continued, his voice steady. “Your girlfriend doesn’t work for you, yet she’s here, listening to our negotiation. Are you sure she should be?” His words lingered, intentionally provocative.
Caden held Corey’s challenging stare before responding, “Alicia, leave us.”
Though her mind raced, Alicia obeyed in silence, rising to leave.
As she closed the door behind her, her composed expression began to falter.
She couldn’t hear the conversation inside, nor did she want to.
Alicia’s thoughts spun. Corey’s words had left a lasting echo.
Ever since he had purchased that painting, there had been a fierce intent in his eyes, one that she couldn’t ignore.
Today’s visit seemed to center around her.
What could he want from her?
Was it just because she was with Caden? That reasoning felt flimsy. Caden was too proud to easily give up such a crucial advantage. There was no way he would relinquish his woman. But then again, anything was possible.
Corey’s approach was relentless, and Caden had been distracted with other concerns lately.
If a woman could foster peace between them, perhaps it wouldn’t be such a terrible trade-off.
Would Caden agree to that?
Lost in thought, Alicia barely noticed she had walked into the conference room. The sudden creak of the door startled her, pulling her back to reality.
Caden entered. He was alone.
Alicia blinked, feeling the unspoken tension settle between them. Her voice came out quieter than she intended. “Is the discussion over?” Caden’s gaze was intense, unreadable as it lingered on her.
The answer was clear, yet she still felt compelled to ask,
“Who did Corey want from you?”
The walls of the conference room were made entirely of glass, allowing anyone to watch the conversation unfold. Among those observing was Corey, who, just as he was about to leave, paused and slipped into the shadows, his sharp gaze fixed on Alicia and Caden.
Caden ignored him, focusing instead on Alicia. Her face was pale, her pupils slightly contracted. He couldn’t quite tell if she was curious or frightened. “He wants you,” he said in a calm voice.
Alicia jolted in her seat, as if something had snapped in her mind. She narrowed her eyes at Caden. “Did you agree to the deal?”
It wasn’t until she spoke that she realized how tense she was. Her voice almost cracked. “Why don’t you ask me why he wants you first?”
“Because that sly fox would never tell the truth anyway,” Alicia replied almost instantly. “Whatever excuse he gave you, it’s all a lie.”
Caden pressed his lips together, his expression unreadable.
“Now answer me,” Alicia said anxiously. “Did you agree or not?”