Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Corey raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at her, his smile taking on a mocking edge.
Caden hadn’t expected Dorian and Regina to show up, so he was quite surprised to see them.
In truth, they took advantage of the press conference to have a word with him.
Dorian was still nursing his temper, so Regina wisely stepped forward to speak to Caden herself.
“I just found out that the chip ended up in Corey’s possession. I asked Yolanda about it, and she admitted giving it to him. Apparently, Corey managed to persuade her by spouting some nonsense about doing something great for the family and proving herself.”
“You don’t need to explain anything to me,” Caden replied lightly. “I willingly handed the chip over to Dorian. He’s free to handle it as he sees fit.”
A flicker of shame passed over Regina’s face. “I don’t know what to do with Yolanda anymore. She barely thinks before she acts. I mean, Corey has a criminal record, yet she still dared to partner up with him. And on such a precarious project, too!”
Caden’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of criminal record?”
Regina noted his interest and didn’t hold back. “Before he made a name for himself, he was detained for five months in Terriland due to his underground dealings.”
Terriland? It was a small country with an alarming prevalence of human trafficking.
“What did he do?”
“I don’t know. He probably worked as a lackey for one of the criminals. He only served five months, so it shouldn’t have been anything major.”
Caden thought back to the information his people had dug up on Corey. His arrest was never mentioned at all. But since he heard it directly from Regina, it was likely true.
If anything, it only showed that Corey was capable of cleaning up his tracks and erasing any black marks on his records.
Given that Corey had worked so hard to conceal this part of his history, it meant that exposing it would have a huge impact. Caden guessed he might have found a weak point that could ultimately lead to Corey’s downfall.
“Is he married?” Caden asked Regina.
“No.”
“What about his family?”
Regina’s brows furrowed. “Corey is an orphan, and he grew up in an orphanage. Through the years, I’ve never seen him around anyone who might be related to him.”
Caden was puzzled. Did that mean he had a woman now? But why would Corey, a business entrepreneur, be so secretive about his paramour?
It wasn’t as if he were a drug lord or an undercover cop.
Seeing the grave expression on Caden’s face, Regina added, “I am to blame for Yolanda’s immaturity. Rest assured, if you ever need help from the Moss family, all you need to do is ask. Reach out to me, and I’ll make sure Dorian sees sense.”
Caden chuckled. “What does this have to do with Dorian?”
“He is the one who spoiled Yolanda, so it’s only right that he answers for the consequences!”
“It’s not that serious, Regina,” Caden said. “Don’t worry about it.”
They then parted ways, and Caden glanced back at Corey. He was swarmed by guests who clearly pandered to him, eager to make connections.
However, beneath all that prestige and the facade of brilliance, Caden saw the monster that lurked in Corey’s heart: ambition.
It was a bottomless pit that no amount of wealth or success could ever fill.
It never bothered Caden when his enemies targeted him.
But this time, Corey had set his eyes on Alicia.
That didn’t sit well with Caden at all.
Much later, as Caden emerged from the restroom, Yolanda appeared and blocked his path.
She had been waiting for this chance all evening, and her patience had finally snapped. She gave in to her impulses and tried to hug him. She even stood on tiptoe and held her face up for a kiss.
Caden acted quickly, grabbing her arm and shoving her away before she could get any closer.
Yolanda rubbed the spot where he had grabbed her, her eyes turning misty. “You can’t treat me like this, Caden!”
But the look he gave her was chilly. “You still haven’t given up?” he said in a menacing tone. “It looks like I wasn’t harsh enough when I handed over the chip.”
He cocked his head to the side, his lips curling into a smile.
Caden gave a derisive smile. “When I asked your mother to teach me how to make that dessert… Did you think I was just bored or something? I did it to show you how important Alicia is to me.”
Yolanda froze in place, her breath catching. She knew all too well why Caden had done that.
That was exactly why she had come to Corey.
After a pause, she steadied herself, brushing away her tears, and found her voice. “Corey’s grown stronger since you left. Now that you’re back, he won’t step aside without a fight. And with his new release, Q, how much of the market can you afford to lose?” Her voice softened slightly, a challenge in her eyes. “Are you just going to let that happen?”
Caden’s lip curled into a smirk, his gaze unflinching. “I know exactly what game you’re playing, Yolanda. You team up with Corey to trap me, then turn around and betray him for my help? Do you really think I’d fall for that?”
Yolanda bit her lip, her voice soft but resolute. “Caden, if we team up, we could create something even bigger than what Corey’s offering.”
Caden scoffed, not a hint of interest in his expression. “Save your tricks for Corey. I’d love to see what the two of you think you can do to take me down.”
Without sparing her another glance, he walked away.
Yolanda watched him, her legs trembling as she fought the urge to follow. But her strength was gone, and she sank back into the shadows, silent tears streaming down her face.
After the press conference, Corey strode in, the light from the hallway casting a faint glow over Yolanda’s frail figure. She looked thinner, her face pale, her eyes weary. Corey’s expression was hard, unmoved by her appearance. “Get her out of here,” he commanded, his voice emotionless.
Two staff members stepped forward, but as they reached for her, Yolanda pulled back sharply. “Don’t touch me!” she snapped, defiance flickering in her eyes.
The staff hesitated, aware that she was a member of the Moss family and unwilling to force her too harshly.
Corey only looked at her with cold disdain.
If she hadn’t still been useful, he wouldn’t have bothered with her at all.
“No one respects a desperate woman, Yolanda. If you want Caden to look at you twice, you’d do better to take a lesson from Alicia.”
His words hit a raw nerve. With sudden resolve, Yolanda sprang to her feet, her hand flying out to strike him.
Corey dodged, though her fingers grazed his chin.
His face darkened as he narrowed his eyes at her. But Yolanda didn’t back down, her eyes blazing with defiance. “I’m not Alicia, and I never will be,” she said fiercely, her voice unwavering. “I am Yolanda, and no matter how cold you think I am, I will always be myself.”
Corey scoffed. “Caden has wealth and power. What could you possibly offer him? Men only desire what they can’t easily have, and it’s Alicia’s beauty he covets.”
He grasped Yolanda’s chin, studying her face. Despite her thinness, her beauty was undeniable, her features strikingly different from Alicia’s.
“Clean yourself up and follow my lead. I’ll help you win over Caden.”
Yolanda’s jaw clenched as she stared back at him. “Help me? Just so you can have Alicia for yourself? Don’t think I’m blind to your motives. You’re nothing more than a sleazy, low-class man who’s drawn to women like her.”
Corey let go of her, laughing with cold amusement.
Alicia wasn’t worth his time.
Adjusting a stray strand of her hair, Corey said, his tone growing dark, “Now that I’m back in Warrington, I’ll be stepping on Caden’s toes to get what I want. You’re in this with me now, so you’ll assist me. Got it?”
The ambition in his eyes left her momentarily speechless. “What is it you’re after?”
“That’s not your concern,” Corey replied smoothly. “The Q Robot is a goldmine, and I have no objections to more wealth. If things go well, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
Yolanda laughed bitterly. “Taken care of? By offering yourself to me?” She spat in disgust. “You’re not even close to Caden’s level.”
Corey barely flinched, unimpressed by her insults.
Nothing she said could unsettle him.
Later, when Dorian came to find her, Corey slipped away without a word, leaving Yolanda behind.
Despite her earlier fury, Yolanda’s demeanor changed when she faced her parents. She was calm, even distant, as she spoke to Dorian. “I’ve decided to work with Corey. I’m not relying on you or the Moss family anymore. I don’t want anyone thinking I owe you anything.”
Dorian’s voice turned stern. “Yolanda, how can you talk about your mother like that? You know you were in the wrong. She’s only ever wanted the best for you.”
Yolanda rolled her eyes. “I’m old enough to make my own choices. I don’t need anyone ‘educating’ me anymore. Whatever I choose to do is my responsibility, not yours.”
She turned to leave, but Dorian stepped in front of her. “Yolanda, don’t be so reckless!”
Her expression hardened, and she glared at him. “If you try to stop me, I’ll end my life right here and now!”
Dorian felt a pang in his head, finally understanding the frustration his wife must have felt.
How were they supposed to guide a daughter like her? Her mention of death left him tense, afraid she might act on her threats.
Seeing his concern, Yolanda seized the moment. “Dad, if I can’t be with Caden, there’s no reason for me to go on. If you really care about me, you’ll help me find a way – whatever it takes – to make this happen!”
Meanwhile, Corey was dozing lightly in his car.
When the car slowed and came to a stop, he heard a commotion outside and opened his eyes. A large crowd had gathered at his doorstep.
The driver glanced around, confused. “What’s going on?”
Corey frowned as he looked over the crowd. Mixed in were men and women with cameras and filming equipment, bustling with excitement.
In the center of it all, one figure caught his attention, lounging with an air of ease and confidence.
It was Gerry, the flamboyant film director known for lavishly spending his family’s money without a second thought.