Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia inhaled sharply. Clicking her tongue, she decided to stop bickering with him.
They needed to leave immediately. If Lilliana’s fans did show up, they’d be in big trouble.
A celebrity’s team wasn’t a joke. They were trained professionals, serious about their business. Lilliana had fled the scene, completely unscathed.
By that time, there were few people left.
Caden hurriedly led Alicia toward the underground parking lot.
Alicia thought they were safe, but her relief was premature. As the elevator doors opened, they spotted a small crowd of seedy-looking individuals just a few feet away.
The group turned toward the sound of the elevator, and when they saw Caden and Alicia, one of them shouted, “That’s her!”
Alicia froze. She hadn’t expected trouble to find them so quickly. Taking a deep breath, she braced herself.
The man leading the group charged toward her, his expression fierce. “You bitch! How dare you scheme against Lilliana!”
Alicia grabbed Caden’s hand, pulling him back. “Get behind me!”
Caden glanced at her for a couple of seconds, then shrugged off his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt. “This is the perfect time for a man to step up and show his worth.”
But just as he was about to act, Alicia lifted her leg and landed a solid kick on the man lunging at her. He cried out in pain, clutching his chest as he staggered back.
Caden stared, speechless, his mouth forming a small ‘O’. He slowly lowered his sleeves back to his wrists.
But once the first man was down, the others surged forward. Several rushed toward Alicia in unison. It was Caden’s turn to pull her back, delivering a swift roundhouse kick to the first man who approached. The difference in strength between him and the attackers was clear.
Alicia had used all the strength she could muster, but only managed to knock her opponent down.
Caden, however, sent his attacker flying, knocking over a few of his comrades in the process.
“If you’re trying to hurt a man,” Caden said calmly, “aim for the spots where it hurts the most. Kick his groin, his head, his shins.”
Alicia’s eyes flashed. “Got it.”
As another man lunged at her, Alicia stepped forward and kicked him squarely in the groin.
He immediately crumpled to the ground, clutching his groin and wailing in agony.
It was a solid hit, Caden had to admit. But… he felt a certain tightness in his own lower abdomen just watching the man protect himself.
Alicia turned to him, smirking. “How was that? I’m a fast learner, aren’t I?”
At that moment, all Caden could think about was how beautiful her eyes were.
He felt an inexplicable urge to laugh. “Well done.”
The attackers were few, and within minutes, Caden and Alicia had dispatched them.
When the men finally retreated, they were either limping or shaking, keeping a respectable distance and no longer daring to approach Caden and Alicia.
Caden dusted off his hands and ushered Alicia to his car. She fastened her seatbelt, craning her neck to look into the side mirror. Lilliana’s crazed fans were still milling about, unsure of what to do next.
The men continued rumbling and making phone calls, throwing sharp glances toward Caden’s car. Alicia’s expression turned grim. “They don’t seem like Lilliana’s fans,” she pointed out. “They look more like people hired to deliberately cause trouble.”
Caden glanced at the men through the rearview mirror. “Perfect, then,” he said coldly. “Consider it free practice for dummies like you.”
Alicia glared at him, narrowing her eyes in disapproval.
Insufferable man.
She took out her phone and dialed 911.
“What are you doing?” Caden asked.
“I’m calling the cops.”
Regardless of whether those men were actually Lilliana’s fans or not, Alicia felt confident the authorities would handle it properly. Lilliana was still embroiled in the lip-syncing scandal, and this little altercation could serve as a warning to her.
The law was not to be trifled with.
“Those thugs are all beaten up,” Caden said. “Who do you think the police will arrest when they see the state those men are in?”
Alicia’s frown deepened. “But we can’t just let this go.”
“What more do you want?” he replied. “One of them is already out cold. You’ve probably rendered him impotent for life.”
Alicia was somewhat mollified by that. “I didn’t kick him that hard.”
“Their actions may have been premeditated,” Caden said slowly, “but we did defend ourselves. At the very least, the police will probably consider this a public brawl.”
And although it might be considered self-defense, they still wouldn’t walk away scot-free. At best, they’d be fined. At worst, they’d be detained.
They would be at a loss either way.
Alicia thought it through and realized he made sense. She locked her screen and put her phone away. Reflecting on Caden’s actions earlier, a strange feeling bubbled in her chest. She turned in her seat to look at him.
They had just driven out of the parking lot and passed beneath the shade of a large tree.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing Caden’s well-defined features in a warm glow. The sun glinted in his deep-set eyes, making them seem inviting, as if they were pools drawing an innocent onlooker to drown in their depths.
Alicia continued to stare at his face, lost in a daze.
Caden suddenly turned to meet her gaze.
“You really like me, huh?”
Alicia’s lips twitched, but she quickly averted her eyes, focusing on the scenery outside. She kept glancing around as if searching for something.
Caden pulled over in front of a restaurant, cutting the engine.
“What are you looking for?” he asked.
Alicia’s tone was sharp. “I’m looking for your dignity, since you seem to have lost it somewhere.”
As Alicia and Caden approached the entrance of the restaurant, they saw Gerry stepping out. He found himself standing right between them and asked, “Did you run into any trouble on the way here?”
Caden responded casually, “Everything was taken care of.”
Gerry still looked a bit unsettled as he pressed further. “Did you really run into something? Thank goodness you went to check on it. But why were you so eager to find Alicia at that moment?”
Caden paused for a moment, casting a quick glance at Alicia.
“I lost something and needed to check the dressing room. It’s a flat one,” he explained.
“What the hell?” Alicia muttered inwardly.
She could guess what he meant by that. “Caden, you’re nuts,” she grunted.
Gerry frowned, confused. “What are you talking about? A flat one? What exactly is that?”
Alicia remained silent, choosing not to respond.
Caden smiled slightly, clearly enjoying the exchange.
Once they entered the private room, Alicia turned to Gerry and asked, “Lilliana had a major incident today. As her boss, why didn’t Caden do anything about it?”
Gerry chuckled at her question. “Caden bought the company Lilliana works for just for fun. He’s a laid-back boss who doesn’t stress over things.”
“But with such a big loss, doesn’t he care at all?” Alicia pressed.
“A loss?” Gerry nearly burst into laughter. “You’ve been arguing with Caden for this long, and you still don’t get him.”
Alicia’s curiosity grew. “Lilliana is under his supervision now. Their interests are tied. How can there be no loss involved?”
Gerry spoke openly. “Before Caden came back to the country, he already acquired several major platforms. He just hadn’t made any public announcements about it. Now, with the promotion of Lilliana’s new song, all the money Joshua and the Green family invested is going straight into Caden’s pocket.”
Alicia stood there, completely stunned.
It finally clicked for her that Caden’s strategy was designed to outsmart Joshua.
Caden had known that Joshua held a grudge against him. He was always eager to compete in every aspect of their lives.
Even though Joshua lacked the funds, he would undoubtedly redirect money from his own company to keep up with Caden in supporting Lilliana.
In the end, all of Joshua’s efforts amounted to nothing.
The money vanished, Lilliana was exposed for lip-syncing, and it was only logical for her to terminate her contract with the company.
Caden turned a profit without incurring any losses, and in the process, he succeeded in repulsing Joshua.
Alicia turned her gaze toward Caden.
He took a slow drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling around him.
A smile lingered on his lips, a blend of sophistication and mischief.
Alicia couldn’t help but mutter, “Cunning.” He truly was cunning.
Caden flicked the ash from his cigarette and casually remarked, “Keep the compliments coming. I enjoy hearing them.”
Alicia asked, “So, did you know all along that Lilliana was lip-syncing?”