Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“She’s beautiful and has an amazing figure. Mr. Ward, since you’ve found a new interest, maybe you could introduce her to us?”
At that, Marlon grabbed a bottle and smashed it over the subordinate’s head.
“Watch your language!” Marlon shouted.
“A bit of booze and you lose your manners? Mr. Ward’s lady isn’t for your amusement.”
He gestured sharply with his eyes for the subordinate to leave. The subordinate, visibly upset, remained.
Marlon turned to Caden with an apologetic smile.
“Just some reckless talkers. Don’t mind them.”
Caden’s demeanor was cold, his voice calm.
“You mentioned something accurate. In this line of business, being too merciful can be costly.”
Marlon paused, feeling the weight of Caden’s lethal intent. Yet Caden didn’t act impulsively. Instead, he pointed to the broken glass on the floor.
“I’ve invested hundreds of millions in you before. You’ve probably used it all up by now, right?”
Marlon asked cautiously, “Mr. Ward, what are you implying?”
“I don’t need that money returned. If we work together again, I’ll make sure you get your fair share. But tonight, I’m looking for some excitement.”
Marlon didn’t think that subordinate held any value for him, but after all, he was one of his men. How could he bring himself to do such a thing? Still, the force of Caden’s aura was undeniable. His decision to come alone was a testament to his formidable nature, especially with Yolanda at his side.
Marlon hesitated briefly before grabbing a glass shard and slashing the subordinate’s throat. Blood sprayed, and a life ended. Yolanda gasped in shock.
Marlon, composed, took the opportunity to refill Caden’s glass.
“Mr. Ward, cheers.”
Caden looked briefly at the body on the floor and drank his refill, his face void of any reaction. Yolanda, hit with fear, insisted they leave immediately. In the unruly realm of Terriland, where violence was rampant, she feared that she could be the next victim.
Caden instructed someone to escort her to the hotel. Yolanda grabbed onto his arm, shaking.
“Caden, please come with me. I’m frightened. You’re the only one who can keep me safe.”
Caden, sickened, pushed her aside and gestured to his bodyguard to take care of her swiftly. Once Yolanda was escorted away, Marlon disposed of the body and then turned to Caden.
“Mr. Ward, let’s cut to the chase. Why did you seek me out?”
The display of power had been made; now it was time for directness. Caden got straight to the point.
“Where are Gareth’s wife and his two sons?”
Marlon immediately went on the defensive.
“Mr. Ward, Mr. Hampton assigned me with that. It wouldn’t be right to hand them over to you.”
At that moment, Caden’s bodyguard brought forward two suitcases. Upon opening them, they revealed stacks of cash.
Caden asked, “Will this cover their price?”
Marlon began to respond, “I need to first check if…”
But he was abruptly silenced as the bodyguard drew a gun and pressed it against Marlon’s head.
Marlon’s thoughts raced quickly. Gareth had betrayed them, and the necessary steps had been taken; keeping him alive was hopeless. Ultimately, Gareth’s destiny was to meet his end.
Caden said coldly, “I won’t harm you myself, but my men are lethal and precise, like hunters targeting their prey. Marlon, are you willing to test their skills?”
Who could truly face death without fear? Terrified of a stray bullet, Marlon started sweating profusely.
“I’ll disclose their whereabouts,” Marlon said, hardly daring to breathe.
“Mr. Ward, please have your men lower their weapons.”
Caden remained unmoved.
“I want to see them now.”
Marlon hesitated and said, “They aren’t in Terriland now, Mr. Ward.”
A bodyguard’s finger slipped, discharging a bullet. Even though it missed, the bullet brushed against Marlon’s skin, leaving him pale and breathless with fear.
Caden asked calmly, “Can I see them now?”
Marlon stuttered, “Yes.” He quickly made a video call to his associates, showing Caden the three hostages, bound and secured.
Caden glanced calmly at the display, then directed his men to the location after getting the details. Having intimidated Marlon thoroughly, Caden left, abandoning the money on the floor.
Marlon slumped in his chair, staring at the scattered cash, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions.
Hadn’t Corey said that Caden was in a vulnerable spot, reliant on others for his survival? So why was he still so bold?
Marlon grumbled and reported the situation to Corey. Corey brushed it off and said, “They’re just useless hostages. If he wants them, let him take them. What are you afraid of?”
Marlon snapped back, “Who’s afraid?”
Corey, ignoring the quiver in Marlon’s voice, ended the call.
Upon Caden’s return to the hotel, he was promptly updated by his team. Gareth’s wife and younger son had been successfully secured. His subordinate asked, “Should we return them?”
Caden sneered.
“Return them? After all the money I’ve spent on these hostages, just to release them? This isn’t a charity.”
The subordinate was taken aback. It was the first time they had heard Caden express such sentiments.
“For now, keep them confined,” Caden instructed, with no clear plans for them yet.
“We’ll observe Gareth’s actions.”
Corey genuinely had lost interest in Gareth’s family. However, Caden’s audacious move into Terriland, seizing individuals right out of Marlon’s grasp, caught him off guard. Hadn’t Caden always been cautious? Why had his approach shifted so dramatically when Alicia encountered problems?
It seemed that he was prepared to risk everything for a confrontation. Corey couldn’t help but laugh, teasing Caden for letting love mess with his head. Yet, maybe this was advantageous. If a woman could weaken his focus, they might expend less effort.
Corey suddenly became curious and asked his informant about Alicia’s recent activities. The answer intrigued him.
Alicia had covertly arranged a meeting with Blake and had visited the hotel where the incident took place.
Corey asked, “What did she do at the hotel?”
The informant responded, “She entered a room but didn’t engage in any obvious activity. She was likely searching for evidence.”
Hearing this, Corey recalled something.
“Did they actually go through with it that night?”
The informant replied, “You’d have to consult Miss Moss about that, Mr. Hampton. You’re the one with access to the surveillance footage.”
Moreover, an internal hotel staff member was present in the surveillance room at the time.
Corey sneered, deciding there was no need to review the footage. He was certain the pair must have been intimate that night. Otherwise, Blake wouldn’t have survived.
Enjoying the unfolding scandal, Corey had the informant send him some secretly taken photos. In the images, Alicia wore black, looking slim and delicate, like a shadow moving through the night. Her hat was pulled low, showing just her pointed chin. She was seen entering the hotel with Blake.
With a mischievous smile, Corey forwarded the photos to Caden’s work email.
Alicia had planned the meeting with Blake to confirm the events of that night. Blake insisted, “Alicia, I assure you, I did not lay a hand on you.”
While Alicia had been unconscious, Blake, though still affected by the drugs, had impulsively removed her coat. Just as he was about to proceed, he noticed Alicia in tears and found himself unable to continue. Instead, he dealt with his urges alone.
Upon hearing this, Alicia looked up, her demeanor calm yet resolute.
“Before I lost consciousness that day, there was a hidden camera in the room. I went back to check, but it’s missing now. Someone has taken it.”
Blake responded, “If the Moss family retrieved it, the footage is likely destroyed.”
“And if it isn’t?” Alicia asked, her voice tinged with hope.
What if it wasn’t destroyed? Holding on to this faint hope, Alicia decided to take a chance.
Blake, convinced by her determination, agreed.
“Let’s check the surveillance room then.”
Hotels often had cases of undisclosed cameras, so this wasn’t entirely out of the ordinary.
As they were about to leave, Alicia’s sharp observation caught something-someone lurking suspiciously nearby. She stopped abruptly.
Blake quickly understood and kept his distance.
“I’ll check alone. You should go back.”
Their interaction was too delicate at the moment, and the last thing they needed was for Caden to misinterpret their actions.
Alicia usually didn’t mind being misunderstood, but now, it felt different. She knew she had to tread carefully, making sure Caden wouldn’t get the wrong idea.
She nodded.