Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Jasmine replied, “It was anonymous. When Ciara had her stroke, we all rushed her to the hospital. I didn’t think to ask anyone to keep an eye on things.”
A few keystrokes later, Alicia’s voice cut through the silence. “This IP address traces back to Corey’s company.”
Without hesitation, Caden turned and headed for the stairs.
Jasmine called after him, her voice tinged with urgency. “Mr. Ward, wait! There is something else you need to know. Your mother’s brother has just returned from overseas. He has been looking for you.”
However, Caden didn’t look back. He walked out the door without a second glance.
Alicia quickened her pace to keep up with Caden, determined to prevent him from acting impulsively.
Surprisingly, Caden seemed calm. Though his movements were swift and slightly forceful, his expression remained cautious and reserved. “It was Corey who told me about the incident with the mannequins. He claims to know who did it.”
Alicia’s eyes flickered. She had suspected as much. She glanced at Caden, knowing he probably shared her suspicions. He likely couldn’t bring himself to believe it, which is why he felt the need to verify the truth himself.
“The IP address is from Corey’s company,” Alicia pointed out. “Do you think it could be him?”
“I’ve been abroad for so long, but he hasn’t made a move,” Caden said, his voice steady. “I know he was waiting for my return to negotiate the terms with me. So why would he pull this kind of stunt all of a sudden?” Caden’s expression darkened as he shifted into his cold, domineering self. “He’s trying to take the fall for someone else and let the true culprit escape.”
Alicia felt the weight in her chest grow heavier as they passed under the streetlights. If it were just Corey, she was confident that Caden could handle the situation. But what if Dorian was involved?
When Caden pushed open the door, Corey had just extinguished his cigarette. The faint smell of tobacco lingered in the office, and Corey’s bloodshot eyes indicated that he had smoked quite a bit before their arrival.
“What’s up, Caden?” he asked, his smirk evident. “Hasn’t your woman caused me enough trouble? Do you want to take a shot at it yourself now?”
Caden wasn’t here to fight. He fixed Corey with a sharp, unwavering gaze. “Who did it?”
Corey leaned back in his chair, his expression chilling. “Aren’t you supposed to know everything that happens around here? Why ask me?”
“Was it the Moss family?”
“Since you already know the answer, why bother asking me?” Corey said, his disinterest clear. “I need evidence,” Caden replied, his tone firm.
Corey chuckled. “Ah, so you trust my word that much? If I say right now that Alicia did it, would you believe me?” He cast a meaningful glance at Alicia. “Or is it that you already know it was Yolanda, but you’re trying to protect her?”
Alicia rolled her eyes and looked away, her reaction making Corey smile wider.
“If I wanted to protect Yolanda,” Caden said with a scowl, “I would’ve dealt with you a long time ago.”
Corey remained unfazed by the threat. It was then that Alicia spoke up. “I know which computer Yolanda used. We can check the records of the sent messages. It should reveal everything we need to know.”
They were about to leave to investigate when the office phone rang, interrupting their conversation.
Caden paused and glanced back. Corey leaned over his desk, looking at the caller ID, then switched the phone to speaker mode.
Yolanda’s shrill voice screeched through the line. “Why hasn’t there been any progress on what I asked you to do? Caden and Alicia are already back in the country!”
“What was it you wanted me to do, exactly?” Corey asked, feigning ignorance.
“Don’t play dumb with me! You have to do it, whether you want to or not!” Yolanda’s impatience was evident as they could hear her gnashing her teeth. “If you don’t give them the shock of their lives, they’ll think I’m just making a fuss for no reason.”
Corey glanced at Caden, raising an eyebrow. “What exactly am I supposed to do? Explain it to me.”
Unaware that someone else was listening, Yolanda didn’t hold back. “I’m talking about Samantha Ward’s robot video, of course! Didn’t I give you the USB drive?”
Corey looked back at Caden, silently asking, Did you hear that?
Caden’s expression turned murderous.
When Yolanda didn’t receive an immediate response, she snapped, “Corey, I’m talking to you! Are you even listening?!”
Corey ended the call abruptly, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied look. Yolanda had previously tried to shift the blame onto him, but now, she had just incriminated herself in front of Caden. Corey was certain Caden would take it from here, and he was more than happy to step back. After all, Corey wasn’t fond of the Moss family or Caden, and he relished watching them clash.
“She almost cost you your grandmother’s life, Mr. Ward,” Corey goaded. “Surely, you won’t let her off easily just because of old ties? I myself wouldn’t mind it, but what about Alicia?”
Later, in the car, Alicia said, “You handle the situation as you see fit. I’ll head back to Joy Mansion to take care of Ciara.”
Caden was visibly irritated. He leaned back in the driver’s seat, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. “Yolanda is out of her mind.”
He had focused all his attention on Corey, never expecting to be blindsided like this.
Alicia paused for a moment before speaking. “That means Dorian played a hand in it, too.”
Caden’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his fingers curling into a vice.
“Are you scared?” Alicia asked.
“No,” Caden replied coldly. “Just disappointed.”
If she were honest, Alicia felt the same way. But she was also worried. “Dorian is serious this time. We won’t have an easy path ahead.”
“It’s my path that’s difficult, not yours. Dorian will never lay a hand on your gallery.” Caden started the car. “I’ll report our findings to the police, then I’ll pay the Moss family a visit.”
He dropped Alicia off in front of Joy Mansion. “Let me know immediately if there are any changes with Grandma’s condition.”
Alicia nodded, trying to push away the bad feeling gnawing at her heart. “Drive safely.”
Caden hummed a casual response and sped off.
Alicia sighed to herself as she watched him disappear down the road. When she entered Joy Mansion, she noticed a stranger sitting in the living room. The man stood up and met her gaze.
Jasmine approached and said, “Miss Bennett, this is Mr. Ward’s uncle. He’s here to see Madam Ciara.”
Caden’s uncle, Benedict Ward, was in his fifties. His demeanor was strikingly similar to Caden’s grandfather’s, with a commanding presence that immediately made Alicia feel uneasy. She could sense that Benedict didn’t like her.
Despite this, she forced a smile and greeted him politely, “Hello, Mr. Ward.”
Benedict gave her a once-over. “Alicia Bennett, right?”
Alicia nodded. “That’s right.”
“I heard from my mother when I arrived. You’re Caden’s girlfriend?” Benedict’s tone was neutral, neither pleased nor displeased. “Where is my nephew?”
“He went to the Moss residence,” Alicia replied truthfully.
“What for?” His tone shifted, now more interrogative.
Alicia took a deep breath, then answered, “Ciara experienced a great shock, so Caden went to the Moss family to demand an explanation.”
Benedict’s expression darkened. “Why would he go to the Moss residence at a time like this? Matters between elders should be resolved by elders. What if he makes things worse with his recklessness?”
“Please don’t worry, Mr. Ward. Caden knows what he’s doing.”
“Oh, I don’t think he has any idea what he’s doing at all!” Benedict snapped. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t be involved with someone like you.”
Alicia froze, staring blankly at the stern-faced man before her. Her intuition had been right-Caden’s uncle, a man of considerable influence in the Ward family, clearly didn’t like her.
Benedict wasn’t finished. “I won’t go into the details of the relationship between the Moss family and the Ward family. You must know it by now. After all this time, I thought you’d come to your senses and realize you’re no match for Caden. He may be immature, but you should have known better. And now look! You’ve dragged him into this mess. For what? To get a little of his wealth and status?”
Alicia’s temper flared, but she held it in, reminding herself that this man was still Caden’s elder. “Perhaps there’s been a misunderstanding, Mr. Ward. Why don’t we wait for Caden and discuss this matter properly?”
“What kind of misunderstanding could there possibly be? Things have already escalated to this point. Isn’t all of this because of you?”
As if his words weren’t hurtful enough, Benedict added, “What were you and Caden doing in Terriland when this issue blew up?”
Alicia felt a pang of guilt, despite knowing she had done nothing wrong. “What does that have to do with anything?” she asked, trying to hold back the hurt.
“What do you think?” Benedict sneered. “If Caden had returned earlier, the video wouldn’t have reached my mother. Caden has never been one to act on a whim. And yet, he ignored pressing family matters to set off drone fireworks in some other country-all for some wench!”
Alicia swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling utterly humiliated. “With all due respect, Mr. Ward, that is a private matter between Caden and me.”
Benedict’s gaze hardened. “Caden is where he is today thanks to the support of the Ward family. Even the money he spent in Terriland is, in part, the family’s. You may think it’s a private matter, but it simply isn’t.”
Alicia was left speechless. She could easily cover those expenses herself. Why was he meddling so much in their personal affairs?
“While it’s true that the Ward family doesn’t lack for money,” Benedict continued, “we are not foolish enough to support freeloaders. Especially not someone who brings chaos and ruin to our doorstep!”
An uncomfortable silence settled in the room.
Unable to stand the tension, Jasmine stepped forward. “Ms. Bennett is Master Caden’s woman. Please be mindful of your words, Mr. Ward.”
“You have no place to speak here,” Benedict snapped at her.
But Jasmine stood firm. “Even if you have grievances, you must wait until Madam Ciara recovers to address them. If you wrong Ms. Bennett without cause, Master Caden will certainly hold me accountable. It will also ruin your relationship with him. I’d appreciate it if you don’t make things difficult for both of us, Mr. Ward.”
Alicia anxiously tugged at Jasmine’s sleeve. She didn’t want the situation to escalate any further.
“Mr. Ward, you should go see Ciara first,” Alicia suggested. “We can talk another day.” She turned to Jasmine and added, “I’ll take my leave.”
Without another word, Alicia left Joy Mansion, her back turned as she walked away. Jasmine watched her go, still indignant on her behalf.
Unfortunately, Benedict held considerable power within the Ward family. Despite the old man’s temper and abrasive manner, Caden was still required to show him respect. So, Jasmine chose to hold her tongue and retreated upstairs.
Once safely in her room, Jasmine quickly sent Caden a message: “You need to come home right away, Mr. Ward. Your uncle is here, and he just gave Ms. Bennett a harsh scolding. It was awful!”
Caden had just arrived at the police station when he received the text.
He scowled at the message, but before he could respond, Dorian appeared.
“You actually came back,” Dorian mocked, sneering. “I thought you’d stay in Terriland until Christmas.”
Caden put his phone away and stared at Dorian. Though it had only been a few days, it felt as if he was seeing a different man.