Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Corey, silent, took one last glance at Gemma lying on the sofa before turning to leave, his heart heavy.
It was only when she heard the car’s engine start that Gemma allowed herself to make a sound, her sobs quiet and sorrowful.
Libby quickly came to comfort her. “Is it the pain again, Miss Hampton?”
Gemma raised her face, her tears flowing freely. She watched the taillights disappear, her cheeks wet with sorrow.
“I’m not in pain,” she whispered to Libby, her voice filled with regret. “I just wish I hadn’t pretended to sleep. I could have spent a little more time with Corey.”
During his drive back, Corey felt an unexpected urge and decided to look up the song Alicia had performed earlier.
It was well-known that when Lilliana was at the height of her popularity, she had actually been lip-syncing. The media later uncovered that the vocals and lyrics had been Alicia’s creations.
As the music played, Alicia’s soft and familiar voice slowly filled the car. Both the melody and her vocals were utterly captivating.
Although Corey wasn’t particularly fond of music, he found himself deeply admiring Alicia’s talent as he listened. It became clear why the song had helped catapult Lilliana to stardom. It was also evident why Alicia’s success had sparked such deep resentment from Lilliana after her fame had faded.
As Corey drove down the mountain, sunlight streamed through the windows, blurring the boundary between the city’s neon lights and the moonlight.
Corey glanced sideways, watching as the lights flickered in the high rises. Each light represented someone’s home.
At that moment, the lyrics echoed softly in the song: “Gaze at the bright moon above, and see the city lights below.” Yet Corey, unlike others, had to put in much more effort than most to maintain his own home.
Upon his return to the company, Corey was surprised to see that Yolanda had already left the hospital. She wore a ribbon around her neck, concealing the severe marks.
As Corey walked in, Yolanda quickly threw a USB drive at him.
“This is from my client. Enjoy it.”
Corey glanced at her. Her face was pale, and her smile looked eerie, almost spectral.
“What’s on it? Just tell me straight,” Corey said, not in the mood to sift through it himself.
Yolanda, applying bright lipstick using a compact mirror, responded sharply, “What do you think? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten the recent project we worked on?” She scoffed as she continued, “Obviously, it’s from those corrupt men. Stunning robots. They’re utterly enchanted by them.”
Corey took the USB drive and plugged it into the computer. He began the video. The robots had been upgraded with expressions and voices, and they strikingly resembled Caden’s mother. However, the portrayal in the video was offensive and distorted-far removed from the dignified and gentle woman she once was.
Disgusted by the sight of those greasy men, he quickly closed the video.
“Is this just for my eyes?” Corey asked.
Yolanda responded harshly, “I’ve already sent the first copy to Joy Mansion. By now, Caden’s grandmother has probably seen it, right?”
Corey narrowed his eyes slightly, finding amusement in her ruthless attitude.
Yolanda continued, “Just imagining how that old woman feels thrills me. To see her treasured daughter debased like this. It must be crushing her heart.”
Corey asked, “Why not send it straight to Caden? Why involve an elderly woman?”
Yolanda answered bitterly, “Because of how Caden has treated me! Since he’s not in Warrington, I’ll target his family and make him endure the anguish my father suffered because of me.”
Watching her consumed by vengeance, Corey leaned in further. “What exactly did Caden do to upset you so much?”
Yolanda’s hand slipped, smearing her lipstick across her face, making her already pale appearance seem even more eerie. She might have been smiling, but her eyes suddenly filled with tears.
“Caden took Alicia to Terriland.” Corey’s expression grew stern.
To Terriland?
Caden had been hiding in Terriland for the past few weeks, keeping his movements secret. Corey wondered if Caden had inadvertently become involved in his affairs. He had his suspicions but knew he must tread carefully now.
“How do you know he’s in Terriland?”
Yolanda shut her eyes, her voice trembling. “He orchestrated a fireworks display for Alicia in Terriland using a drone.”
What an extravagant gesture!
In a place like Terriland, Caden had kept his journey concealed, but he arranged the fireworks simply because Alicia enjoyed them. In many cultures, fireworks were seen as symbols of fleeting beauty or unfulfilled promises. Still, Caden had not hesitated to create a memorable moment for her.
Corey’s hands slowly balled into fists.
He pulled out the USB drive, holding it tightly. “Caden’s grandmother has probably watched the videos by now. What’s your next move with the USB? Are you planning to publicize these clips?”
Yolanda wiped her tears away, then lifted her head, her demeanor now composed. “Absolutely.” Her resolve was clear. “With all this turmoil back home, and Caden indifferent, solely focused on impressing a woman, why should I hold back?”
Corey looked down, remaining silent.
If this issue escalated, it could cause irreparable damage between Caden and the Moss family. He might even consider eliminating Yolanda.
Killing Yolanda might be the best course of action. If that happened, Dorian would undoubtedly take drastic measures to erase Caden from existence.
That would be ideal.
In that scenario, Corey wouldn’t have to lift a finger. He tossed the USB drive back to Yolanda. “Go ahead. Stir things up.”
Yolanda chuckled coldly. “I’ve already stirred enough. Of course, the final move is yours. We’re partners, after all. Responsibilities should be shared equally, right?”
Corey immediately called his subordinate as soon as Yolanda left.
“Find out what Caden was doing in Terriland. I want every single detail of his activities during those nine days,” he commanded.
Silence hung heavily on the other end of the line. Seething with frustration, Corey snapped, “Why the silence? Speak up!”
To his astonishment, Caden’s voice broke through. “Why are you so angry, Mr. Hampton?”
Corey stood frozen in place. He knew there was no point in checking if he had dialed the wrong number. Caden couldn’t have spent nine days in Terriland without accomplishing something significant. The fact that he intercepted the call meant he had already turned Corey’s men against him.
Damn it! He was acting quickly.
Recognizing there was no point in dancing around the issue, Corey sneered. “Must have been a tough nut to crack in Terriland, huh? Did you uncover anything of worth, Mr. Ward?”
Caden clicked his tongue in playful regret. “Nothing that piqued my interest. I assume your most vulnerable spot wasn’t left unguarded in Terriland, right?” he asked lightly. “You protect it so fiercely. Is it always nestled close to your side?”
Corey’s voice turned cold. “Caden Ward, are you trying to play games with me?”
A soft chuckle escaped Caden’s lips. “I’ve already got the answer I want.”
Corey was left speechless. His reaction was exactly what Caden had hoped for.
Corey was as crafty as a fox, as elusive as a shadow, having wiped away every trace of his actions. Despite his relentless digging over the past few days, Caden had only unearthed a handful of trivial clues.
In light of this, Caden was left with no choice but to play the game of deceit.
Corey’s fists clenched tightly, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. Thankfully, Caden couldn’t see the veins bulging on his forehead through the phone. Corey was convinced he still had some leeway to navigate through the situation.
“Is that all?” Corey’s voice gradually found its steadiness. “Even if you uncovered something, you have no leverage for negotiation without a dagger to my throat.”
Caden shot back, “If not in a week, then a month or half a year? Mr. Hampton, you ought to know: there is nothing money can’t buy.”
Corey pressed his lips into a thin line and fell silent for a while.
He was acutely aware that Caden wouldn’t have just disappeared without a reason. Whatever Caden had unearthed was enough to keep him on a tight leash. Corey knew that if he dared to make another move against Caden’s mother, Caden would unleash a storm. He would turn over every stone and leave no trail unsearched in his quest to find Gemma.
Corey shut his eyes, his chest rising and falling like a bellows. “Caden, even if I don’t do anything, there are others who thirst for your blood. You should rush to your grandmother’s side. I hope you get to see her one last time.”
At that moment, Caden was leaving the airport with Alicia by his side.
Suddenly, he tightened his grip on her hand. “Caden, what did Corey say?”
Caden’s eyes held a depth that was both intense and unreadable. “Nothing. Let’s head back to Joy Mansion,” he replied curtly.
As they entered Joy Mansion, Caden nearly collided with a doctor rushing by, a medical kit clutched in his hands. The doctor stopped abruptly, clearly startled.
“Good day, Mr. Ward.”
He recognized the man as Ciara’s personal doctor. Caden’s expression darkened as he pushed past him, heading toward the master bedroom.
“Mr. Ward? What brings you back?” Jasmine asked, her voice filled with surprise.
Caden’s voice was cold as he retorted, “And why shouldn’t I be here?”
He reached for the door, but his hand faltered just before pushing it open. “How is Grandma doing now?” he asked quietly.
Jasmine didn’t hide anything when she saw the worry in his expression. “It was a sudden stroke,” she said, sensing his unease. “It happened this morning. She was taken to the hospital and woke up an hour ago. She didn’t want to stay there, so we brought her home. The doctor says she will recover with time, so try not to worry too much.”
Only when he heard this did Caden open the bedroom door.
Memories of the day he lost his mother flooded back. He had stormed into the delivery room then, only to be met with a harrowing scene. He couldn’t bear for history to repeat itself.
Inside the master bedroom, Ciara lay on the large bed, her breathing shallow but steady. Caden didn’t disturb her. He only glanced at her vitals before quietly leaving the room.
Alicia, who was waiting for him outside, looked at him with eyes full of concern. “How is she?” she asked softly.
“She’s okay,” he replied. “The stroke was triggered by high blood pressure. Thankfully, it wasn’t severe. She just needs time and rest to get back on her feet.”
Alicia let out a sigh, her relief fleeting as tension still hung heavily in the room, like a dense fog.
Under Caden’s unyielding gaze, Jasmine understood and reluctantly handed him the video.
Caden barely glanced at the screen before Alicia took over, quickly setting the laptop up to trace the video’s IP address.
“Who sent this?” Caden asked Jasmine.