Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden teased, “So you’re here to steal my tricks and plan a coup to take over Blizzard Group in the future?”
Alicia grinned and asked, “Yes! Are you scared?”
“Scared of what? I end up in your grasp every night. Have you ever caught me scared?”
Realizing what he meant, Alicia flushed and glanced around, relieved that no one was listening.
“Why do you never think before you speak?” she scolded.
Caden burst out laughing.
He truly enjoyed their little cat-and-mouse game. However, hidden dangers always seemed to pop up unexpectedly.
Ever since Yolanda teamed up with Corey, she had been hanging around Warrington, trying to meet with Caden. Despite several failed attempts, she didn’t give up.
Hank was getting frustrated. “Mr. Ward, she’s been waiting downstairs and won’t leave until she sees you.” He froze when he realized Alicia was there and quickly fell silent.
Caden shrugged and said, “Just find a way to send her home.”
Hank hesitated, glancing at Alicia. He whispered, “Miss Moss has a bit of a temper. She won’t let us do anything to her. A few days ago, someone posted a video of her online, and the comments aren’t great.”
Caden’s expression turned serious.
Understanding the complicated relationship between their families, Alicia said, “Maybe you should just meet with her.”
Caden didn’t like her trying to be so generous about it.
“Why should I meet her? What’s the point?” he asked.
“You can’t keep dodging her. If the Moss family gets involved, it’ll just make things tougher for you.”
“The easiest way to handle it is to give her what she wants. If you’re okay with it, I’ll make it happen. Sound good?” Caden’s tone was a bit vague.
Alicia went quiet.
Alicia couldn’t understand why he’d suddenly become upset. His words were blunt, but they lacked real force, leaving her with nothing to say.
Noticing the tension, Hank quietly excused himself to give them privacy.
“That’s not what I meant,” Alicia finally said with a sigh. “Yolanda’s health is fragile. If something happened to her at your company, think about the backlash it could cause.”
If things went wrong, Dorian’s reaction would be chaotic. As the younger one, Caden felt the weight of responsibility settle on him.
He took a deep breath, his anger fading as he realized it had been misplaced. Straightening the papers on the table, he muttered, “I’ll go check on her.”
Alicia nodded, acknowledging his decision with a simple grunt. “I’ll keep myself busy here.”
Caden glanced at her, holding her gaze for a moment before turning to leave.
As expected, Yolanda greeted him with a smile, acting as if their previous conversation had never happened. She looped her arm through his without hesitation, but Caden gently detached himself. “Just tell me what you need, Yolanda.”
They exchanged a few brief words, and then Caden signaled to Hank. “Could you grab the car keys from my office?”
When Alicia saw Hank returning alone, she couldn’t resist asking, “Did Yolanda leave?”
Hank paused and glanced back. “She’s about to head out,” he said.
Alicia felt a wave of relief. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as challenging as she’d feared. “Good,” she replied quietly.
As Hank located Caden’s car keys, he hesitated again.
Alicia noticed it and raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t Caden have a lot to handle right now in the company? Where’s he going?”
She knew that car was Caden’s personal ride; he rarely used it unless it was for something important.
Hank shifted uncomfortably. “Mr. Ward and Miss Moss are heading out… together.”
Alicia’s heart skipped a beat. “They’re going out together?” she echoed, trying to mask her reaction.
“Yes,” Hank confirmed, uncertain of what to say. Caden had only asked him to bring the keys, meaning he intended to drive alone with Yolanda.
Alicia’s chest tightened with worry, though she tried to keep her expression calm. “Did he mention where they were going?” Hank shook his head.
Not wanting to keep Caden waiting, he quickly excused himself and left.
Unable to resist, Alicia moved to the window, peering down at the street below.
She spotted Yolanda slipping into the passenger seat, Caden in the driver’s seat beside her.
Alicia’s heart clenched.
Was history repeating itself?
The wounds from before were still fresh.
Why would Caden agree to go out alone with Yolanda? Was he trying to punish her for what she had said earlier, or was he just unable to say no to her?
After a moment of hesitation, Alicia pulled out her phone, opened her chat with Caden, and carefully typed a message. After a few moments of indecision, she hit send: “Where are you going?”
A few minutes later, Caden’s reply flashed across Alicia’s screen: “Didn’t you say I should handle the problem?”
Alicia read the message, feeling her stomach twist uncomfortably. The sarcasm in his words stung, making her feel like he was being deliberately petty.
She hadn’t intended to provoke jealousy, nor was she trying to push him toward Yolanda.
Anger bubbled up as she typed back: “I overstepped today. I won’t give unsolicited advice again.”
Caden didn’t respond.
Frustrated, Alicia left the company and threw herself into her work at the gallery, hoping the business would keep her mind off him.
But no matter how much she focused, thoughts of Caden and Yolanda crept in, tormenting her. What could he possibly be doing with Yolanda? The hours dragged on, each one more torturous than the last.
As the afternoon wore on, her shift was nearly over. Blake, who had been watching her closely, noticed her alternating between quiet sadness and flashes of irritation. He could tell her mind was on Caden.
“Want to grab dinner tonight? My treat,” Blake offered.
Alicia managed a faint smile but shook her head. “Thanks, Blake, but I’m not hungry. You go ahead.”
Blake raised an eyebrow. “Don’t let a guy mess with your peace of mind.”
She forced a smile. “I’m fine, really.”
Blake gave her a serious look, unconvinced. “Your face tells a different story. Looks like Caden’s been giving you a rough time.”
Alicia’s hand instinctively went to her face. “Is it that obvious?”
Blake chuckled. “When things are good with him, you’re practically glowing. But today… it’s like the light’s gone out.”
Alicia didn’t respond, but his words lingered. She hadn’t realized her emotions were so transparent.
Blake walked over and placed a glass of water in front of her. “Take a break. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard, whether it’s for yourself or him.”
He pulled a small bottle of eye drops from his pocket and handed them to her. “Here. These are great for tired eyes. I bought two, so this one’s unopened. You can have it.”
Blake looked at her with gentle concern. “Your eyes are red. Hasn’t Caden noticed?”
A pang of disappointment hit Alicia.
Just then, a familiar voice cut through the air from the doorway. “I seem to have missed the red veins in Alicia’s eyes,” Caden remarked coolly. “But with Mr. Langstaff’s blatant attentiveness, I can see how hard he’s trying to drive a wedge between us.”
Both Alicia and Blake turned, startled.
Caden stood in the doorway, impeccably dressed, his gaze sharp and laced with faint mockery that sent a chill through the room.
Blake paused, his confidence growing. “Alicia, go ahead with your work. I’ll keep our honored guest company.” He spat the words with thick sarcasm, casting a glance at Caden.
Caden’s gaze shifted toward him.
Alicia avoided looking at either of them, instead casting her eyes down. “Alright. You two go ahead,” she replied softly, feigning interest in the documents she held.
Blake stepped forward, motioning for Caden to follow. “Shall we, Mr. Ward? Coffee or tea?”
Caden’s response was curt. “Leave.”
Unfazed, Blake smirked. “If you’ve got a problem with me, let’s settle it privately. This is Alicia’s company, her office. Who are you trying to scare off with that ‘leave’?”
Caden’s eyes narrowed. “Why would I have an issue with you? What makes you think you’re even worth my attention?”
Blake chuckled, undeterred. “Seems to me you’re nursing a grudge deeper than your fancy pool at home.” He threw an arm over Caden’s shoulder. “Come on.”
Caden glared, his posture tense, but Blake leaned in, his voice a quiet warning. “I’m the backbone of the gallery now. If you lay a finger on me, Alicia will definitely hate you even more.”
Caden held back, gripping Blake’s arm before firmly shoving it away. “Get. Out.”
Blake stayed silent, watching as Caden turned and strode toward the CEO’s office.
As Caden reached the door, Blake smirked at him, as if daring him to speak. “Go on, say whatever you want. She’s already tense. Push her a little, and my opportunity will come.” But Caden shut the door without a backward glance. Blake edged closer, peeking through the window-only for the blinds to snap shut in his face.
“Childish,” Blake muttered to himself.
Inside, Caden tossed the bag he’d been holding onto the sofa, his voice cold and sharp. “There’s always something unpleasant around here.”