Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden replied calmly, “Uncle, don’t worry. I have this under control. I’ve already done my utmost for the Moss family. If they are still not satisfied, then I’ll have no choice but to stand against them.”
Benedict cautioned him, “Dorian might appear friendly, but if you push him too far, even your current skills might not be enough to handle the fallout.”
Caden shrugged it off, saying, “It’s fine.”
“What do you mean, ‘it’s fine’? You’ve been in business long enough to know the importance of planning for the future, right?”
Caden’s brow furrowed with displeasure. “If I have to worry about every little thing, where is the joy in life? I’ve always conducted my business transparently and honestly, with no…”
Benedict sighed, frustration etching his features. “What I mean is, can’t you see the bigger picture? Why make an enemy of the Moss family? Wouldn’t it be better to pursue a peaceful path?”
Caden shot back, “Dorian’s condition for cooperation is that I marry his daughter. Do you really think I would agree to such a demand?”
“Is there anything wrong with Yolanda? At least she’s a far better match than Alicia, that useless woman. Marriages between influential families come with significant advantages. You’re twenty-five now; how can you not understand this simple truth?”
Caden couldn’t help but laugh coldly. “Uncle, why didn’t you heed my grandfather’s advice about a business marriage back in the day?”
There was a small shift in Benedict’s expression. “We’re discussing the Moss family. Why are you dragging me into this?”
Caden replied, “If you were in my position, you might not be as calm as I am.”
Benedict was left momentarily speechless.
Although he felt a wave of frustration toward Caden, Benedict couldn’t ignore that the feelings Caden harbored for Alicia ran deep.
Benedict waved his hand in exasperation. “Fine, I won’t try to persuade you anymore. Do as you wish. Just remember, one day, you will understand how troublesome a woman without any skills can be.”
Caden responded with surprising calmness, “Alicia is more capable than Yolanda.”
Benedict chuckled as if he had just heard the world’s funniest joke. “Her? If she can prove she’s capable, I’ll apologize sincerely to her and give my approval!”
Caden didn’t say anything.
He couldn’t fathom how his uncle, at his age, could make such childish remarks.
“Do you really think she needs your apology?” Caden mused aloud. “And your approval? She can do whatever she wants, and it has nothing to do with you.”
Benedict’s eyes widened, and he waved his hand in feigned fury. “You little rascal!”
As Caden left the study, he approached the housekeeper, Aylin, and inquired about Alicia’s departure.
Aylin sighed heavily. “She left on her own. The driver offered her a ride, but she declined. She looked visibly upset.”
A strange sensation flickered in Caden’s chest. “Did she…?”
Aylin hesitated for a moment before answering. “I didn’t look closely.”
Caden knew that beneath her outward bravado, Alicia was quite fragile, unable to bear much grievance.
She had probably cried earlier.
Caden was about to leave after visiting Ciara. As he made his way through the living room, something caught his eye-something was missing from the custom-made teaware set on the table.
It was Ciara’s cherished, custom-made piece that she always used.
Casually, he asked Aylin, “Why is there a cup missing?”
Aylin was taken aback, her eyes darting nervously. “Mr. Ward…”
Caden sensed that something was off. “Tell me the truth.”
Aylin, who held a deep respect for Benedict, knew that he had indeed shattered the cup. She realized it was only a matter of time before Caden found out. Reluctantly, she decided to come clean.
Caden’s expression immediately turned cold as he exited the Joy Mansion without saying another word.
As long as Caden could remember, although Benedict had a notorious temper, he would never dream of hitting a woman.
Moreover, the animosity between him and Alicia wasn’t as profound as it seemed. Benedict harbored only a hint of prejudice against her.
But what could have happened that day to ignite such fury in Benedict?
Caden slid into his car and dialed Alicia’s number. When she answered, her tone was indifferent. “What’s the matter?”
She spoke as if he had committed some grave offense against her.
Caden’s voice was deep as he asked, “I just found out that my uncle smashed a cup on the floor right in front of you that day. Were you hurt?”
A heavy silence lingered on the other end of the line.
When she finally broke the silence, it was evident she was hiding something. “No, he was merely trying to scare me.”
Caden pressed further, “What exactly happened that day?”
Alicia instinctively replied, “Since you already know what he did, why don’t you ask him directly? Aren’t you worried I’ll intentionally stir up trouble between you two?”
Caden inhaled deeply. “Alicia, please talk to me properly.”
At the sound of his commanding tone, Alicia let out a chuckle. “Sorry. I lack the manners to speak nicely.”
Caden insisted, “I want to resolve this, so I need to know the truth.”
Alicia sighed in exasperation.
They were a couple, not business partners.
“Resolve this, sort that out…” That was all he ever seemed to think about.
In bed, he was a whirlwind of passion, but when it came to arguments, he turned cold and distant, devoid of warmth or affection.
Alicia decided to lay it all on the table in one breath. “I had a heated argument with your uncle because he looked down on me and insisted I step aside so Yolanda could take my place. I told him he was being completely unreasonable, lacked sincerity, and even basic decency. He flew into a rage, smashing a cup to express his anger, and declared that as long as he was breathing, I would never have the chance to be your wife. So, Caden, who was really in the wrong? Was it me? Should I have just bowed down to your uncle and handed you to Yolanda?”
Alicia finished her tirade, panting slightly.
Her nose tingled with emotion as her voice softened.
“Maybe he’s right. We’re not getting married anyway. You marrying into the Moss family could solve a lot of unnecessary heartache.”
Caden’s heart tightened sharply at her words.
He didn’t blame Alicia for being angry with his uncle. As an elder, Benedict had no business meddling in his personal affairs.
The thought of Alicia secretly wiping away her tears left Caden feeling uneasy. “Where are you?”
Alicia asked, “Why? Just because your uncle didn’t hit me last time, now you want to take your frustrations out on me?”
Caden’s eyelid twitched at her tone.
“I’m not a fool, Alicia.”
“You are a fool!” Alicia exclaimed. “I told you I wouldn’t go back, but you insisted. During dinner, your uncle wouldn’t stop ridiculing me, acting like I’m some cheap, shameless woman who can’t live without you.”
Caden replied slowly, choosing his words carefully. “You can’t live without me. That’s the truth. No one else would dare touch you.”
Alicia suddenly raised her voice. “In your dreams!” With that, she hung up the phone and angrily tossed it aside.
Monica, who was sitting beside her, immediately caught the phone. “This is the latest model in a limited edition color, my dear. You can’t just toss it around like that. What if it gets chipped?”
Alicia’s anger flared even more at the sight of the phone Caden had bought her.
Her previous phone had broken, prompting her to buy a new one that very day. Later, Caden sent over a gorgeous light green device that was simply irresistible.
The phone buzzed again.
Caden was calling her again.
Monica grinned and teased, “Aren’t you going to answer?” Alicia dismissed the calls a few times.
As Caden’s name flashed on the screen time and again, Monica couldn’t help but joke, “Wow! Even Mr. Ward will call persistently to show his sincerity. I expected a domineering CEO to say, ‘Alicia, I command you to come back to me immediately. Otherwise, I’ll turn Warrington upside down and make everyone pay for it!'”
Alicia was at a loss for words.
Monica burst into laughter, and despite herself, Alicia couldn’t help but join in.
Once the laughter faded, she tried to regain her composure. “I’m still mad. Let’s be serious.”
But Monica hadn’t finished chuckling when Caden’s call came through again.
Finally, Alicia decided to answer.
Caden asked again, “Where are you?”
Alicia raised an eyebrow and replied, “I’m at home.”
Caden’s tone was skeptical. “Are you sure?”
Alicia retorted, “Why are you asking if you don’t believe me?”
Caden fell silent for two seconds. “If I get home and don’t see you, tonight I’ll go six times, switching positions each time, and make you… well, let’s just say, it’ll be quite the night.”
Alicia’s heart skipped a beat. Blushing, she shot a glance at Monica, who had been eavesdropping, and hung up the phone.
But Monica had heard everything, stifling her laughter with a hand over her mouth, her eyes crinkling with mirth.