Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia’s patience snapped. “Oh, really? What could you possibly fit in your pocket-some underwear?”
Caught off guard, Caden suppressed a smile. “You see? Nothing even happened, and you’re already jealous. Why can’t you understand how it felt for me?”
Alicia’s voice turned icy. “Mr. Langstaff gave me his jacket because I was drenched. If I hadn’t accepted it, I would have… been exposed. Is that what you wanted?”
His expression darkened. “So, did he… see anything?”
Alicia, intent on provoking him but cautious of going too far, swallowed her words. “No.
Mr. Langstaff is a gentleman, unlike you, who seems to enjoy invading personal space.”
The repeated mention of “Mr. Langstaff” grated on Caden’s nerves. “That’s enough. His shares-pull them out. As of now, cut all ties with him.”
Alicia’s eyes flashed with frustration. “What are you thinking, Caden? You were gone in Terriland for nine days, and Corey targeted you on purpose. Blake and I had to deal with it together. He’s been working tirelessly, running the gallery and handling everything else. And now, over a jacket, you want to cut him off? How could you be so unreasonable?”
Caden’s expression remained unyielding. He didn’t care about Blake’s struggles or contributions. “I’m not being unfair,” he said, each word deliberate. “If you can’t do it, I will.”
Alicia gripped his shirt, her own anger flaring. “He’s part of my team, Caden. What gives you the right to decide? Even you should know there’s a limit to this childish jealousy.”
His eyes darkened, his voice icy. “I’ll show you exactly what gives me that right.”
Without another word, he pulled away and strode toward the living room, his hand reaching for his phone. Just as he was about to make a call, his uncle’s number appeared on the screen.
He answered with a cool tone, “Is it, Benedict?”
“I heard you came back. But why did you leave again?” Benedict’s voice had a calculated edge.
Caden clenched his jaw. “Personal matters. If there’s nothing urgent, I’m hanging up.”
Benedict chuckled, sensing the tension. “You sound ready to murder someone. Did you have a fight with Alicia? Over Blake, perhaps?”
Caden was about to hang up but hesitated. “What exactly do you mean by that, Benedict?”
“I’m right, aren’t I?” Benedict’s sneer was almost audible. “Did you find Blake and Alicia together, doing more than just ‘working’?”
Benedict hadn’t uncovered any concrete evidence. However, his bias against Alicia clouded his judgment.
Caden’s voice was frosty as he asked, “What did you see?”
“Nothing. But you should know that Blake likes her.” He let out a harsh laugh. “Let’s not kid ourselves; it’s mutual. Even I can see that. Do you really think your girlfriend is oblivious? She enjoys the attention she gets from men. Is this the kind of woman you want by your side?”
Caden’s thin lips tightened at his words.
After a brief pause, he replied coldly, “You don’t need to worry about my affairs. Just take care of Grandma.”
Once he hung up, Alicia approached.
She didn’t ask about Caden’s conversation. Instead, she headed straight for the bedroom.
“You’re sleeping in the guest room tonight,” she said without glancing back.
Caden quickly caught up to her, grabbing her arm. “Did you do what I asked earlier?”
His expression was icy, and his patience was fraying. “Call Blake right now and tell him to withdraw his shares and complete the rest of the procedures as soon as possible.”
Alicia’s anger boiled over. “When will you stop this, Caden?”
His gaze turned sharp. “Will you do it or not?”
Alicia’s temper ignited. “No! You have no right to meddle in my company’s affairs!”
Caden abruptly released her arm, turning on his heel to stride toward the study.
Alicia knew he was about to take drastic measures to remove Blake, so she quickly followed him.
But Caden slammed the door in her face, leaving her standing on the threshold.
She pounded on the door, her cheeks flushed with anger. “Caden! Don’t you have any shred of decency?” The urge to curse bubbled up inside her, but she held back, her heart racing painfully in her chest.
All the executives at the gallery owed their positions to him. A single call from him could sway the entire board, and by tomorrow, Blake’s shares could be forcibly stripped away.
With the right authority and a hefty sum of money, such an action didn’t even require Blake’s consent.
Moments later, Caden swung the door open.
Alicia stood rigidly, staring at him. “What did you do?”
Caden looked down at her, his gaze as indifferent as stone. “I did exactly what you are thinking.”
Alicia felt her strength drain away. She bit her lip, disappointment etched across her face.
Caden’s tone turned harsh. “Alicia, it’s just Blake. Why do you look at me like that with those sad eyes?”
“Why did you do that?” Alicia countered, her voice trembling. “Do you want to know why I allowed Mr. Langstaff to join as a shareholder? Because I appreciate his talent and capabilities! Do you have to wipe out everyone who likes me?”
Caden sneered coldly, “I’ll deal with anyone who crosses the line.”
Alicia couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “In that case, why don’t you deal with Yolanda?”
She continued, “Yolanda has done enough to deserve serious consequences. Why haven’t I seen you act with such decisiveness?”
Caden replied, “If Blake had a father as powerful as hers, he’d stand a fighting chance against me, too.”
“Is it really because of Dorian? I think you’re just unwilling to hurt her!” Alicia’s emotions surged, prompting her to blurt out, “Or are you simply incompetent? Is taking your anger out on innocent people your way of venting?”
Caden’s expression instantly darkened.
Suddenly, Alicia’s phone rang.
Her chest tightened as she averted her gaze from Caden’s almost murderous stare to answer the call.
It was Blake calling.
She realized that Caden had already dispatched someone to persuade Blake to reconsider.
Now, Blake was reaching out to Alicia to ask what was going on. Alicia leaned against the table, feeling lost and unsure of how to explain this messy situation.
After a few seconds of tense silence, she finally said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Langstaff. I won’t let you pull out your shares. Just focus on what you need to do.”
Blake’s concern was evident in his voice. “Did you and Caden fight?”
“No,” Alicia replied, her tone measured. Personal matters were not something she wanted to discuss.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Langstaff. I won’t let you pull out your shares. Just focus on what you need to do.”
Blake’s concern was evident in his voice. “Did you and Caden fight?”
“No,” Alicia replied, her tone measured. Personal matters weren’t meant for public discussion, and she didn’t want Blake to become further entangled in their troubles. “It’s just a minor argument.”
As she spoke softly to Blake, Caden’s anger threatened to boil over.
He strode over, snatched the phone from her hand, and tossed it aside with a flick of his wrist. Without warning, he picked Alicia up and threw her onto the sofa.
Alicia was about to curse him, but he silenced her with a fierce kiss.
The freshly healed wound on her lip tore open again, blood trickling down.
The combination of pain and Caden’s violent actions pushed Alicia past her breaking point. She slapped him hard across the face.
Caden’s head tilted slightly, and his actions froze.
His chiseled profile radiated a chilling aura.
Alicia’s breath caught in her throat, her palm stinging as a sharp reminder of how forcefully she had slapped him.
However, the pain didn’t matter.
Caden’s pride had been shattered.
She had struck him down for the sake of an insignificant shareholder.
He lifted his gaze, his stern eyes locking onto hers.
Alicia’s face was still etched with anger.
When two stubborn people collided, a fierce battle was inevitable.
Caden’s expression was a storm of emotions as he said through gritted teeth, “I expected more from you, Alicia.”
With a trembling voice, Alicia forced out her words. “Get lost!”
The phone, which had fallen on the sofa, was still vibrating.
When Alicia’s call accidentally disconnected, Blake tried to reach her again.
Caden threw her aside, grabbed the phone, and smashed it into a million pieces.
The loud crash made Alicia shudder.
If that phone had struck her, it might have been fatal. Caden didn’t retreat to the guest room but stayed in his study all night.
The silence stretched between them, each lost in their thoughts, yet neither slept.