Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Tell me, Alicia. What do you want?” he asked.
“As long as it’s within my reach, I’ll give it to you.”
Alicia watched the thick needle pierce her arm, enduring the discomfort as she calmly said, “I want us to combine our resources to build a new tech brand together. In two years, let’s surpass Caden and lead the whole country’s tech market.”
Corey’s jaw tightened.
“I asked for your terms, not for a wish list.”
Alicia frowned.
“What, don’t think you’re capable?”
Corey’s expression remained steely.
“I’m not Caden. Provocation won’t get you anywhere with me.”
Hearing Caden’s name caused a faint ache in her chest. She could still remember his words: “Without me, you’re nothing.” That was why she had been trying hard to break free, to live for herself and prove him wrong.
She met Corey’s gaze evenly.
“I know you can do it. For your sister, you’d go to any lengths – break laws if necessary. Starting a business should be nothing.”
“When the blood was drawn, Alicia pressed a bandage to her arm, her calm, composed demeanor unshaken. Corey’s eyes were dark and calculating as he mulled over her proposal. Finally, he spoke.
“And how much of the company do you expect to own?”
“More than fifty percent.”
Corey let out a cold laugh.
“Why not go all out and say you want to run the entire company?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Corey was silent for a moment, eyeing her with thinly veiled amusement. He shook his head slowly, a wry smile on his lips.
“Quite the ambition, Alicia. So, you want me to work under you?”
“Not just work under me. Succeed with me and do it within two years.” Alicia rose, her voice calm but firm.
“Mr. Hampton, your sister’s health depends on you. I’ll be waiting for the good news.”
Alicia had proven right; once Corey was fully committed, no goal was out of his reach. He became even more ruthless than Caden, pouring substantial investments to disrupt the market. He reshaped the competitive landscape and set new standards that boosted his brand’s visibility by strategically monopolizing market resources.
As time flew by, within a single year, astonishing achievements became evident. Caden emerged as his only real competition. After fortifying his market standing, Corey began launching a new product monthly, constantly challenging Caden. All these innovative products were based on Alicia’s designs. While Corey was known for his hardened approach, Alicia’s designs brought a softer touch that won over the public and charmed people of all ages.
Once these products hit the market, they caused an uproar, with companies scrambling to get their hands on them. With vast ambitions driving her, Alicia soon began to dominate the education and healthcare sectors, quickly carving out a name for herself in these fields. Corey was a powerhouse, yet Caden matched his strength. Excelling in technology, Caden made aggressive moves across various industries, always chasing profits. His company, the Ward Group, had a sweeping influence, nearly creating a monopoly in financial services and turning industries into mere tools for profit.
Their rivalry escalated dramatically, both openly and in the shadows. It was a fierce standoff, with each conflict seeming to write a bloody chapter fueled by deep-seated animosities. Both were willing to use any means necessary to win a crucial battle at the top – one would survive; the other would perish.
By the end of the second year, the market had reached its limits, and the fierce competition waned.
The long-standing competition finally subsided. As another year drew to a close and winter descended upon Okuland, the cold deepened. After getting her blood drawn, Alicia bundled up in her coat and stepped out of the room, where Corey was already waiting for her. Adjusting her coat tighter around her, she asked, her complexion notably pale, “What’s happening?”
Corey offered her two iron supplements.
“I’ll be traveling to Warrington soon. Care to join me for some snow viewing?”
Alicia accepted the supplements and washed them down with a hearty gulp of milk. She replied calmly, “Snow? There’s nothing thrilling about it. After spending over twenty years in Warrington, I’ve grown weary of it.”
Corey’s face broke into a sly grin.
“And what about Caden? Aren’t you interested in seeing him?”
A sharp glance was Alicia’s response.
“Is there anything else trivial you wish to add? Get it over with and go. You’re interrupting my work.”
Alicia’s demeanor had solidified over the last two years, her resolve strengthening but also making her more irascible. Corey had adjusted to her sharper edges.
“Are you really sure you don’t want to reconsider?” Corey asked as they walked into the office.
“Caden’s life is a whirlwind these days. His own grandmother sees him but rarely. It’s been two years. Don’t you wonder if your ex-fianc? has evolved in any way?”
Instead of responding, Alicia hurled a glass in his direction.
Corey swiftly sidestepped, avoiding what could have been a direct hit to his head. The glass shattered to the floor, its fragments scattering, leaving Corey a bit shaken. Yet, he teased, “Quite the intense reaction. It seems you’ve still got some attachment, you sentimental one.”
Despite not having seen much of Caden lately, Corey’s trip to Warrington was necessary this time. He needed to acquire some medical equipment. Only one such device existed within the nation, and clinical trials indicated that it would significantly improve Gemma’s health. The cost was not the issue; rather, it was Caden. For unclear reasons, he too was pursuing the device.
Their goals were distinctly different. One sought to save a life, the other to enhance his business. The rivalry that ensued was intense, with Caden fiercely obstructing Corey’s attempts to acquire it, regardless of the consequences. This compelled Corey to take matters into his own hands, determined to secure the device at any cost. Recognizing Caden’s expertise, Corey carefully prepared a strategy before leaving.
Later that evening, he arrived back at the villa for dinner. He walked in to find Alicia and Gemma deeply engaged in a game of chess. It quickly became apparent to him that Alicia had slyly removed several of Gemma’s chess pieces, yet Gemma, innocently admiring Alicia, hadn’t perceived the deception. She continued to gaze at the altered chessboard, puzzled.
Corey finally said, “What’s going through your mind? She’s on a whole different level, and you’re still doing this.” Alicia, showing little interest, casually put back the pieces she had taken. Gemma looked on in surprise.
“Wow, when did you do that?”
Her expression was one of admiration, not reprimand.
“You’re so quick, Alicia. Could you teach me that trick?”
Alicia found herself lost for words. Feigning displeasure, Corey questioned, “Why would you want to learn something like that?”
Gemma answered, “Being clever is good, but being covert is even better. If it leads to victory, why question the method? Didn’t you teach me that?”
Corey was momentarily lost for words. After they had eaten, Corey pulled Gemma aside.
“Make some video recordings of Alicia for me, especially ones where she’s laughing, and make sure they include audio.”
Gemma was confused and asked, “Corey, why do you need these? Do you like Alicia?”
“Just do it, no questions,” Corey responded firmly.
Gemma, hoping to play matchmaker, insisted, “If you like her, just tell her. Alicia is well-admired. If you hesitate, you might lose your chance. And it will be too late for regret.”
“No, Gemma, I don’t have feelings for her,” Corey clearly said. He typically preferred fleeting relationships with people who hadn’t previously been in one. Furthermore, he would not consider becoming involved with Caden’s woman.
Though disappointed, Gemma agreed to assist him. Pleased with the videos, Corey set off early the next morning for Warrington to meet Caden.
Corey hadn’t done a great job keeping Alicia out of the public eye for two years. Now that she was the CEO of Hampton Group, her role required occasional public appearances. Despite Corey’s efforts to shield her, sharp-eyed paparazzi and private investigators were always a step ahead.
Even so, Alicia took careful measures every time she went out, ensuring no camera fully captured her face. In these two years, the most any detective had managed was a single, partial profile shot of her at an exhibition.
Corey knew that Caden’s feelings for her lingered, though they remained unfulfilled. A few close-up videos would surely stir his heart.
Corey waited at the dining table for over an hour before Caden finally arrived, fashionably late. Caden’s tall, imposing figure entered as the waitstaff opened the double doors. His striking features and commanding presence made the luxurious setting fade into the background.
In two years, he had become more refined. His wealth and success had given him a mature, composed allure.
Corey, keen to avoid confrontation, ignored Caden’s tardiness and instructed his secretary to pour him a drink. He paused the screen and placed his phone on the table, with Alicia’s image visible in Caden’s peripheral view.
Caden’s face remained indifferent, as though he hadn’t noticed it. Studying Caden’s reaction, Corey asked, “Two years, and I still don’t see any women around you, Mr. Ward?”
Caden replied smoothly, “Unlike you, Mr. Hampton, I keep busy and don’t always have someone lovely by my side.”
Corey let out a dry chuckle.
“Someone lovely?” That was bait.
Feigning innocence, Corey said, “Who, me? Now and then, sure, but they’re nothing special and quickly lose their charm.”
Corey’s secretary approached and poured the drinks, but his hand shook, spilling a few drops on Corey’s phone, which accidentally triggered the video to play.
On the screen, Alicia asked in a gentle voice, “Why are you taking my picture?”
“Because you’re beautiful, Alicia. Smile for us.” Alicia then gave a polite smile. The light accentuated her tender skin, and even that faint smile held a captivating charm.
The clip lasted only a few seconds, but for Caden, it stretched on, drawing him in. It had been so long since he’d seen her face so clearly; each expression tugged at his heart, disrupting the walls he’d built over the past two years.
He wanted to replay the scene again, yet resented how easily she could shatter the emotional walls he had worked so hard to build.
Corey slowly slipped his phone back into his pocket, pretending to wipe away the spilled wine.
“You can’t even pour a drink properly. What if you’d insulted Mr. Ward?” he scolded his secretary.
The secretary apologized and left.
Caden took a sip, his face unreadable and his gaze impenetrable. Corey couldn’t decipher his thoughts. Caden didn’t look directly at the video, nor had his expression shifted. Did he still care for Alicia or not?
Corey suddenly felt uncertain about today’s meeting. Caden’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.
In a calm tone, he said, “Mr. Hampton, is the machine you want hanging on my face? Why are you staring at me?” Corey raised an eyebrow. Since the subject had come up, he pressed forward.
“Since you mentioned it, let’s be direct. Name your price, and let me have the machine.”
Caden replied, “I need to see some sincerity.”
Corey slid his phone toward him.
“Three videos, plus seventy million. Is that sincere enough?”