Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Caden, why would you install surveillance in such a private space as the bedroom?” she asked.
Caden didn’t even glance up. “I often work late. When I miss Alicia, I check the surveillance. Is there a problem with that?”
Alicia was at a loss for words. Could Caden not see how inappropriate that sounded? Yvonne forced a laugh, her complexion ghostly as she strained to see the screen.
Caden crossed his legs, deliberately angling the laptop to obstruct her view.
The thought of the surveillance footage capturing her misdeeds made Yvonne tremble, her balance faltering. Caden watched the screen intently, his brow furrowed. Seeing his expression, Yvonne began to sweat profusely.
After a tense minute, Caden finally addressed her. “Yvonne.”
Feeling as if her mind was unraveling, Yvonne blurted out, “Caden, I only entered your room to look for the bracelet. I’ve suspected from the start that Alicia took it, so I checked her bag!”
Caden responded with a mocking smirk. “Why the rush? I haven’t even said anything yet.”
At this point, Ciara had had enough of the unfolding drama. Tired of the continuous scheming between her daughter-in-law and her grandson, she stood up decisively. “Yvonne, I want you to go home tomorrow and not come back. I can’t tolerate this anymore.”
Pale-faced, Yvonne managed only a weak, “Ciara…”
Ciara spoke firmly. “Don’t think I haven’t seen through your motives for coming here, Yvonne. The Ward family isn’t a charity. We’ve already given enough to fill your brother’s bottomless pit. Dreaming of more is futile.” After her declaration, she directed Caden to look after Alicia and then returned to her bedroom.
Overwhelmed, Yvonne collapsed onto the sofa.
Caden closed his laptop and departed with Alicia. Suddenly, Yvonne caught a glimpse of the screen, displaying Tom and Jerry. Realizing it had been a ruse, her fury knew no bounds. Caden had deceived her; there was no surveillance footage in the bedroom at all! They had known the truth all along, and this evening had simply been an act to make her embarrass herself.
As they prepared to leave, Yvonne, desperate, rushed forward to confront him. “Where’s my bracelet? Give it back, or no one can leave!”
Caden looked at her dispassionately. “I threw it in the trash outside.”
Yvonne, incensed, exclaimed, “That was mine! What right did you have to discard it?”
Caden responded coolly, “How was I to know? It showed up in my girlfriend’s bag uninvited, so I disposed of it.”
Yvonne trembled with rage. That bracelet was her prized possession, now irrevocably lost. She demanded recklessly, “Cut the crap. You owe me compensation for such a valuable item. You’re wealthy, can’t you afford a few million?”
“So you mean you’re a beggar, and I should contribute to you? Sorry, I only donate when I choose to. As a beggar, shouldn’t you beg me instead of talking to me like this?” Caden’s gaze was icy.
Yvonne’s face flushed with humiliation, and she struggled for breath.
Caden pointed toward the front door. “If the garbage truck hasn’t arrived yet, you might still find it. Hurry and take a look.”
Yvonne, her teeth clenched in anger, shot back, “Caden, you’ve gone too far!” With that, she stormed out.
Once Caden and Alicia had returned to their room, Lucilla emerged from her hiding place to assist Yvonne. Yvonne released all her frustration on Lucilla.
Accustomed to enduring silently, Lucilla calmly advised once Yvonne had calmed down a bit, “Aunt, perhaps it’s best to let this go. Alicia must hold some significance for Caden to protect her so staunchly.”
Yvonne was still seething. “But they can’t just walk over me.”
The trash cans in the affluent neighborhood were just as revolting. Having never labored before, Yvonne felt overwhelmed by the task.
Lucilla remarked, “But isn’t this situation brought on by yourself?”
In her anger, Yvonne struck Lucilla. “I’m doing all this for you – so you can get close to Caden and help your father clear his debts!”
After scolding her, Yvonne dismissed further responsibility, saying, “Fine, if you don’t want that, then directly ask Caden for help. Your dad is being hounded by debt collectors and is on the brink of suicide. If anything happens to him, you’ll be to blame!”
Lucilla, holding her arm where Yvonne had hit her, stood amidst the trash, tears streaming down her face. “Why should I be to blame? Why does my brother get to live without these burdens? Isn’t he also Dad’s child?”
“Do you want to ruin your brother’s future? He’s a man; involving him in your dad’s problems could ruin his life. Can you live with that?” Yvonne retorted, exasperated. “You’re a woman. Some solutions are simpler for you. Why drag your brother into this? Don’t you have any sense of responsibility?”
Unable to bear the humiliation any longer, Lucilla fled in tears.
Yvonne muttered curses under her breath and continued her futile search for the bracelet.
After an all-night search, she sat exhausted at the entrance of Joy Mansion the next morning. Jolie emerged with a box and placed it beside her.
Yvonne, looking bewildered, said, “Where’s Caden? Tell him to come here. I couldn’t find the bracelet!”
Jolie pointed to the jewelry box. “Here it is.”
Confused, Yvonne opened the box and found the bracelet lying inside, perfectly intact. Overcome with relief, she clasped it tightly.
Seeing her disheveled appearance, Jolie crouched down and asked, “Mrs. Ward, may I ask you something?”
Despite her disheveled appearance, Yvonne maintained a facade of confidence. “Out with it.”
Jolie asked, “Do you realize who Ms. Bennett actually is?”
“Who else could she be? Just another vain woman, right?” Yvonne replied dismissively.
Jolie shook her head. “When she first got involved with Mr. Ward, she owned an art gallery. After their disagreement, she sold it.”
Yvonne scoffed. “And you think that’s something?”
Jolie continued, “That’s not all. She sold the gallery but became a shareholder in a major company. Now, her net worth rivals Mr. Ward’s.”
Stunned, Yvonne exclaimed, “What?”
Was Alicia really that wealthy? And if so, why had she kept such a low profile? Yvonne had never even heard of her!
Jolie, visibly proud of her knowledge, added, “Think about the type of person Mr. Ward is. Someone he couldn’t easily sway isn’t someone you can push around. Go home, Mrs. Ward, and don’t come back.”
Humiliated, Yvonne left Warrington.
Hearing the news, Caden thought that the ordeal was over. However, days later, he encountered Lucilla standing drenched in rain at his company’s entrance.
The rain was light, yet her thin clothes were soaked, giving her a forlorn appearance.
Hank suddenly remembered something and said, “She’s been here a while. The receptionist mentioned she wanted to see you, but since I didn’t recognize her, I got busy and forgot to inform you.”
Caden showed no interest and got into his car.
Lucilla hurried over.
As Caden coldly rolled up his window, he instructed Hank, “Have security escort her out.”
Lucilla pleaded desperately, “Caden, please, just a few minutes. I apologize for my aunt’s behavior toward Ms. Bennett. Don’t hold it against us. My father’s in deep trouble – he borrowed from loan sharks and can’t pay. They’re threatening him. Please, lend me the money to clear his debts.”
As she spoke, Lucilla slid down beside the car, kneeling in the rain, her dignity abandoned, begging, “I promise I’ll repay you, Caden. Please help us this time.”
Caden seemed unmoved at first.
Then, inexplicably, he turned and looked at Lucilla through the rain-speckled car window. She looked frail and timid, which was striking at a time when pride was often paramount. Yet here she was, desperately begging for money.
Her eyes, hollow and resolute, were fueled not by emotion but by the stark necessity to endure. The intense pressure from her family was evident.
Soon after, security arrived to remove her. Frail and defeated, she could hardly resist.
“Caden, please, could you lend me some money? I promise I’ll repay you,” Lucilla begged.
Caden turned away with composure. “Hank, step out and deliver a message to her.”
After a brief hesitation, Hank exited the vehicle, grabbing an umbrella to shield Lucilla from the rain. He stooped down to whisper something to her.
Lucilla began to weep, but then, as she absorbed Hank’s words, she looked up in disbelief and questioned, “Really?”
Hank nodded simply. “It all depends on your capacity to manage it.”
Lucilla nodded earnestly several times. “I’m up for it, sir.”
Hank handed her a check for seventy thousand dollars. “Consider this a down payment. Complete the task, and the remaining six hundred thousand will be yours on the same day.”
Trembling, Lucilla gingerly accepted the check. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, saying, “Thank you. Thank you so much, sir.”
Hank clarified, “This comes from Mr. Ward, but don’t feel obliged to thank him directly. He’s not fond of any young woman other than Ms. Bennett.”
Lucilla nodded emphatically, acknowledging his words.
After depositing the seventy thousand into her father’s account, Lucilla listened as her father, Grady Kelly, lavished her with praise.
“Only seventy thousand?” His tone shifted from elation to greed. “If you secured this money so easily, surely you can acquire more, can’t you? Darling, fetch more for me.”
Lucilla gripped her phone tightly. “There’s still six hundred thousand left. If everything works out, I can have it for you in three months.”
Grady’s laughter boomed upon hearing the figure. Even though he had squandered more than this with Yvonne in the past, the mention of six hundred thousand was a sum he hadn’t contemplated in years.
Brimming with pride, he boasted, “I knew my parenting wasn’t for nothing!”
“You’re right, it wasn’t for nothing, so this six hundred thousand is rightfully yours,” Lucilla replied, her voice thick with emotion.
Overwhelmed but resolute, she hardened her voice. “Dad, once this six hundred thousand is in your hands, I want to end our relationship as father and daughter.”
Grady’s smile dropped, replaced by a scowl. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Lucilla, rattled but determined, responded, “I haven’t depended on your money since my youth, nor am I in debt to you. I understand your need for funds now, but if you don’t agree to this separation, I would rather destroy the money than hand it over to you.”
Her father’s threat was immediate. “I raised you. Do you think six hundred thousand is enough to sever our ties? As my daughter, you’re obligated to support me, even if it costs you everything.”
Unyielding, Lucilla retorted, “Go ahead and test me then. I have nothing left to lose. If you push me too far, I won’t hesitate to end things dramatically right in front of you. Then you’ll have to explain to the gangsters why their money isn’t coming.”
With that, she ended the call.