Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Thank you, Mr. Langstaff.”
Blake exhaled deeply.
“I wish I could absorb all the trouble to acquit you.”
The proposal had been recent, and now this crisis had arisen. It wasn’t just Alicia feeling the pressure; Caden was facing difficulties as well. Yet, Blake felt a surge of resentment on her behalf.
“Did Caden hold this against you?” he asked.
Alicia shook her head.
“No.”
Blake saw through her denial, his frustration mounting.
“You’re still defending him? If he can’t even stand up for his own partner, how can he justify his anger? Alicia, if I were in your shoes…”
If he were Alicia, he would have ended things with Caden by now. But realizing this wasn’t the moment for such words, Blake held back and sighed.
“I’ll be leaving now.”
Alicia remained silent, her gaze downward.
She had once proudly showcased her relationship with Caden. But this recent development had revealed the tenuous nature of love, showing her that Caden’s affection might not be as steadfast as she had believed. She contemplated ending the relationship.
But before making any decisions, Alicia planned to clear the air and exit the relationship with her head held high.
After his shower, Caden sat by the window in a black robe, deep in thought. The photos Corey had emailed him were open on his laptop. In the quiet of the room, the laptop screen dimmed, reflecting his grave expression. He pushed the laptop aside and opened a bottle of wine.
As he wrestled with growing feelings of frustration and jealousy, he halfheartedly dialed Alicia’s number. It took a moment before she picked up. Her tone was even.
“What’s up?” she asked.
Caden’s emotions surged powerfully. Overwhelmed by a storm of feelings, his voice turned rough and stern as he asked, “Did you meet with Blake?”
Alicia had braced herself for this confrontation.
“Yes, I did.”
“You’re quite honest,” Caden said sarcastically.
“What was the reason for seeing him?”
“To look for something.”.
“Look for what?”
Alicia hesitated for a few seconds before asking, “Did you send someone to secretly take photos of Blake and me at the hotel entrance? Have you been tracking me?”
Caden’s heart began to race, fury nearly overtaking him. He wanted to shatter the glass, rush back to Warrington, confront Blake, and demand an explanation from Alicia. Why would she act this way? Why did she have to test his patience?
But he couldn’t face Alicia right now. Nor did he want his overwhelming emotions to push him into saying something he might regret.
Feeling defeated, Caden bowed his head, struggling with each word.
“Alicia, give me two days, and I’ll return.”
Alicia let out a soft chuckle. What was the point of his return? Meeting again would only breed further bitterness.
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Caden instantly ended the call. He opened the door to find Yolanda standing there in a towel, looking distressed. She clung to Caden’s waist.
“Caden, I don’t want to be alone tonight. I’m frightened. As I close my eyes, all I can think about is the man who died in the restaurant today.”
Caden gathered his composure and detached himself coldly. Yolanda, undeterred, slipped into the room. Caden neither pushed her away nor shut the door.
Yolanda’s display of fear was fake, but her longing for Caden was real. Her towel barely clung to her as she pressed herself against him. Caden looked visibly annoyed.
Suddenly thinking of something, he hesitated briefly, then gently pushed her away. Seizing the moment, Yolanda wrapped her arms around his neck and attempted to kiss him. Caden turned his head aside, avoiding her lips.
Her kiss missed its mark, but Yolanda, unfazed, managed to leave a deliberate mark on his neck. Caden’s patience reached its limit. He pushed her away forcefully. Yolanda stumbled back against the wall, gasping from the impact.
Caden straightened his robe, fixing her with a cold, piercing stare.
“How many times have you worked with Marlon?” Caden’s voice cut through the air, his tone sharp.
Yolanda’s plans crumbled instantly. She recalled Dorian’s warning to steer clear of any involvement with Marlon, yet she had recklessly partnered with Corey and met Marlon in secret. Marlon had even praised her, clearly trying to win Dorian’s approval.
As Yolanda hesitated, Caden’s stern voice broke the silence.
“You know the consequences of lying to me.”
Yolanda tensed, her grip tightening around her loosening towel.
“Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?”
Caden settled onto the sofa, lighting a cigarette, his demeanor cold and calculating.
“Marlon accepted my money but betrayed my trust. Do you think I can just let that go?”
Yolanda moved closer, her voice tinged with urgency.
“But you know Gareth has been plotting against you for a long time. Marlon actually did you a favor.”
“But he’s Corey’s man, and Corey and I are bitter rivals,” Caden replied, his expression hardening.
Yolanda stood her ground.
“You and my father are allies. Corey is insignificant.”
“When the time is right, taking over the Hampton Group will be easy,” she added confidently.
With Yolanda
Yolanda crouched beside Caden, her gaze fixed on his.
“Caden, will you marry me if I help you?”
His response was as cold as ice.
“No.”
Frustration flickered across Yolanda’s face as she bit her lip. Undeterred, she pressed on.
“Then what will you give me in return for my help?”
Caden exhaled a cloud of smoke, his indifference palpable.
“Leave now if you don’t answer my question.”
Tears brimmed in Yolanda’s eyes. She hated his heartlessness, yet his arrogance drew her in, leaving her heart in turmoil. After everything she had sacrificed, all the risks she had taken, wasn’t it all for a chance to be with him?
Dorian wasn’t getting any younger. Even though he currently overshadowed Caden, there would come a time when he too would be surpassed. Caden was destined for greatness.
Yolanda tightened her grip on her fingers, watching as Caden finished his cigarette. She gently released her lip, which had become sore from her biting.
“What do you want to ask me?” she finally said.
Caden tossed the cigarette butt aside and took a sip of his red wine.
“Is Marlon married?”
Yolanda blinked in surprise. Why the sudden interest?
“I’m not sure, but Corey said he’s single.”
“No children out of wedlock?”
Yolanda caught on to his implication and asked, “Are you hoping he becomes the next Gareth?”
Crossing his legs with a chilling smile, Caden replied, “Marlon is a reckless rogue. His only weakness is his family. Instead of confronting him directly, I prefer to strike at his Achilles’ heel.”
This revelation took Yolanda by surprise.
“Corey controls Marlon’s operations in Terriland. He deals in everything-organs, drugs, weapons-whatever profits the most. Corey transfers a substantial sum to his account annually and invests twenty percent in his shares.”
Caden absorbed this information, aware that Yolanda lacked the cunning to deceive him.
She leaned closer, wrapping her arms around his well-defined arm. Caden raised his hand, emotionlessly brushing her cheek.
“Marlon has a name tattooed on his ring finger.”
Yolanda’s heart raced, her mind scrambling for details.
“What is it?”
“Annis.”
Caden pulled her closer, his grip firm.
“I had people investigate Annis. All the information is fake. Marlon wouldn’t use a decoy for someone insignificant, would he?”
No wonder Marlon colluded with Corey. Both of them were skilled at concealing their information.