Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Yolanda had access to the chip, something Caden had entrusted to Dorian. It contained sensitive data related to the Lina robot project.
Swapping the chip out had been easy for her, and now she intended to use it as leverage in her meeting with Corey.
When she handed him the chip, Corey glanced at it, his expression unchanging.
“So, you’re giving me the product of Caden’s hard work,” he said with a slight smirk. “How is this any different from trapping me in a corner?”
Yolanda understood the risks but remained composed. “I’ve been unwell since childhood, never truly happy. If I don’t find some excitement now, how will I keep going? Don’t worry. Do whatever you need to. No matter what comes next, I’ll take full responsibility.”
Corey leaned back, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it, his gaze clouded with hesitation.
Sensing his reluctance, Yolanda pressed on. “You don’t want to go against Caden, but you’re out of options.”
Corey’s expression was unreadable. “What are you suggesting?”
“Most of Caden’s projects are focused here. If things work out with Alicia, it’s only a matter of time before they marry and settle in Warrington. Soon, he’ll become a major player here. Do you really want him taking the profits that could’ve been yours?”
Corey’s eyes narrowed as he exhaled a plume of smoke, a hint of a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. “If I compete with him, winning or losing is fair game. But teaming up with you? That would paint a target on my back. Caden wouldn’t hesitate to wipe me out. So tell me, which option is the smarter choice?”
Yolanda’s eyes flashed with irritation. “Do you even have the guts? Are you really a man?”
Corey shot back, “You were born into the Moss family and have everything you could want. Why are you still trying to stir up trouble?”
“Everything but Caden,” she replied fiercely. “I want him. If you refuse, you’re opposing the Moss family. I assume you remember what my father is capable of?”
Corey’s gaze darkened.
Dorian might be older now, but he was still influential.
Crossing him could bring trouble Corey didn’t need. He knew Yolanda’s so-called ‘cooperation’ was just a ploy to pit him against Caden, using him as a pawn.
His thoughts drifted to Alicia, wondering how she fit into all this.
Yolanda’s patience wore thin as she watched him, and she spoke with an icy edge. “If you agree to my terms, I’ll consider being with you. Let you experience what I have to offer.”
Corey met her gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll give you an answer in three days.”
Yolanda smiled smugly, as if she already had him under her control, and left without another word.
Corey picked up the chip she had left behind, running his thumb over it with a detached expression.
Caden was resting at the airport when Hank’s words caught his attention. “I just ran into Miss Moss. She was meeting with Corey.”
Caden glanced at his phone, paused, and asked, “What did they discuss?”
Hank shrugged. “I don’t know. I just saw them leaving one after the other.”
Unfazed, Caden continued scrolling, tapping notes into his screen.
Hank frowned, his concern unmistakable. “You just handed the chip over to Mr. Moss, and now Yolanda had a meeting with Corey? Could this mean…”
Without lifting his head, Caden replied, “Yolanda wouldn’t dare.”
“But what if she does?”
Caden fell silent, his eyes glued to the screen, seemingly very busy. Curious, Hank leaned over to see what had him so absorbed.
The sight nearly made him choke in disbelief. Caden was watching a tutorial on making zabaglione with strawberries.
How was this possible?
Hank cleared his throat, trying to regain composure. “Mr. Ward, do you have any thoughts on this situation?”
Caden scowled, his impatience evident. “What exactly am I supposed to be thinking? Corey and Yolanda have known each other for a long time. It’s just a meeting. Or do you think they are secretly scheming to kill me?”
Hank opened his mouth, but no words came out. Caden added with a dangerous calm, “If they are that bold, they are welcome to try.”
Hank cleared his throat again, trying to find his footing. “I might be reading too much into things, Mr. Ward. No need to get all worked up.”
Caden replied, “I have my plans for this.”
Hank exhaled in relief. Thankfully, Caden still ran the show with the sharpness of a seasoned CEO.
“So, when we get back to Warrington, is there anything you would like me to take care of?” Hank asked, testing the waters.
Caden looked up with a smirk. “Go buy some fresh strawberries and grab some yogurt while you’re at it.”
Hank stared, at a loss for words. Gone was the sharp-minded, business-focused CEO.
After being held up in Devarlton for an extra day, Caden’s flight finally landed in the late afternoon.
With an important client appointment waiting, he didn’t waste any time. As soon as he left the airport, he headed straight to the company.
By the time he wrapped up work, darkness had already settled outside. His client casually suggested dinner.
Caden checked his watch and said, “Sorry, I have a special date tonight. How about we grab a drink another time?”
The client smiled, understanding, and didn’t press further. Not wanting to keep Caden, he left swiftly.
After leaving the office, Caden glanced at his phone.
There were still no messages from Alicia.
Though he knew Alicia wasn’t one to cling to her boyfriend during the honeymoon phase, two days of silence seemed a bit excessive. Didn’t she care even a little?
He had made it clear he would be back within two days, but now it was already late afternoon on the third day. Trying not to read too much into it, Caden sent Alicia a message as he settled into his car. He texted, “Where are you?”
A moment later, Alicia replied, “At Joy Mansion.”
He texted back, “Have you been busy lately?”
“Not really,” she responded. “I handed most of my work to Mr. Langstaff, so I’ve had quite a bit of free time.”
Caden asked, “Is that so? Then why didn’t you ask how my trip went?”
After a beat, she finally replied, “So, how did your trip go?”
Caden found himself at a loss for words. Was she merely reading from a script?
Unwilling to waste any more time, Alicia asked, “So, are you coming back home?”
Caden replied, his face expressionless, “I’ll be back in a few days.”
Alicia shot back, “Then why did you bring it up?”
Puzzled, Caden sent her a question mark.
Alicia strolled through the back garden of Joy Mansion, cradling Ciara’s birds in her arms.
Ciara had gone out for a walk, leaving Alicia to bond with the birds. She held them gently, stroking their soft feathers while her thoughts drifted to Caden.
Just a few more days until Caden returned.
What could he possibly be doing over there?
When chatting with Blake, she had felt calm and composed, but the nagging thought that Caden was deliberately hiding things and being delayed for so long set her mind racing. Lost in her reverie, Alicia was blissfully unaware of her surroundings until the sudden roar of a car engine snapped her back to reality.
The familiar roar made her heart drop.
Could it be Caden?
But hadn’t he just said he wouldn’t be back for several days?
Aylin’s voice pierced through Alicia’s reverie, confirming her unspoken suspicion.
“Mr. Ward, you’re back!” she exclaimed, her joy bubbling over.
Alicia’s hands trembled, and a smile blossomed on her lips.
It felt as if something she had long awaited had finally come to fruition, igniting an eagerness within her. Lost in the moment, she forgot what she was holding and absentmindedly placed it on the table.
In an instant, the birds she had just released spread their wings and soared upward.
Alicia snapped back to reality, her heart racing.
She instinctively leapt to catch them, but how could she outpace the tiny creatures? In the blink of an eye, they transformed into black dots, disappearing into the vast sky.
Frozen in place, Alicia felt a prickling sensation crawl over her scalp. Clutching her head, she suddenly realized the magnitude of her blunder.
Those two birds were priceless, nearly impossible to find on the market.
Ciara had treated the birds like they were her precious grandchildren.
And now, they were gone?
Alicia slapped her forehead in dismay, lamenting how Caden’s charm had led her astray, making her commit such a rookie mistake.
As she contemplated how to make amends for the loss, Aylin rushed over with excitement. “Ms. Bennett, come quickly! Mr. Ward is back!”
Alicia turned, her expression clouded with concern.
Aylin’s brow furrowed. “Ms. Bennett, are you alright?” Instinctively, Alicia covered the birdcage, forcing a smile onto her lips. “I’m fine… Where is Caden? Is he in the living room?”