Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Hank straightened quickly. “Nothing, sir. Just clearing my throat.”
As they started the car, Hank added thoughtfully, “Corey’s resourceful. Do you think he might try to reach out to Ms. Bennett in secret?”
Only Alicia knew how to make the necessary modifications, and time was running out. The longer Corey delayed, the more restless the clients grew-a risk he couldn’t afford.
Caden closed the file in his hand, his tone calm but firm. “If she dares to help him, I’ll make sure she regrets it.”
Meanwhile, in her office, Alicia sneezed out of the blue. She rubbed her nose, glancing up at the air conditioning vent.
The temperature seemed fine, but a chill had crept down her spine.
Rubbing her arms, Alicia checked her phone, unsure how many times she’d done so already-still, no message from Caden.
Typical. He was an expert at keeping his distance. Huffing, she set her phone aside, determined to focus on work instead. Just then, her phone rang.
It was Caden.
Alicia’s heart skipped a beat, but she took her time before answering.
“What?” she snapped, her tone sharp.
Hank, who was holding the phone on speaker for Caden, blinked in surprise at her tone and glanced at his boss. Caden’s expression barely shifted, though a faint smirk touched his lips.
Clearing his throat, Hank said, “Uh, Ms. Bennett, it’s me.”
Alicia’s tone softened. “Oh, Hank, sorry about that. Thought it was that jerk, Caden.”
Caden’s smirk disappeared, his brow furrowing.
She had thoroughly shredded his reputation.
Hank kept a straight face and relayed Caden’s message. “Mr. Ward wanted to check in on how you’re handling the Blake situation.”
Alicia bristled. “If he’s so competent, why is he asking me? He might as well just shut down my gallery while he’s at it.”
Hank stiffened, inwardly sighing. Why did he have to get dragged into their spat?
Without warning, Caden took the phone, his voice cold. “This is your last chance. Out of respect for my nephew, I’m letting you handle this your way so he can leave with some dignity. If it were up to me, he’d be out of Warrington, disgraced.”
Unfazed, Alicia retorted, “Oh, really? I’d love to see Mr. Langstaff in such a state.”
Caden was momentarily speechless.
Caden was well aware of Alicia’s keen intellect, yet the sharpness she displayed took him by surprise.
Her words were so infuriating that he felt he might burst with anger.
Beep beep beep.
Abruptly, the call was disconnected.
Caden’s face, previously cheerful, turned grim instantly. He flung his phone to the side, reminded of how he had shattered Alicia’s phone into pieces during their argument earlier that evening.
He decided he ought to buy her a replacement.
“Drive to the phone shop,” Caden commanded coldly. Hank, knowing better than to comment, followed the order.
In the store, Caden selected the latest and most luxurious pink model and had it gift-wrapped. Aware of their recent disagreement, Hank suggested, “Should I deliver it, Mr. Ward?”
Caden responded, “What else? She’s likely missing me, but I’m not going to give her that pleasure.”
Hank complained inwardly, “Is being stubborn really beneficial? You seem quite self-satisfied.”
After they exited the phone store, Caden stopped at a nearby jewelry shop.
His attention was drawn to an exquisite aquamarine necklace, symbolizing calm and clarity.
Without bothering to look at the price, he purchased it on the spot.
“Also deliver this, and tell her it’s a complimentary gift with the phone,” instructed Caden.
Hank was astonished. “The phone costs two thousand, and this necklace forty thousand, Mr. Ward. How does that qualify as a complimentary gift?”
Caden gave him a blank stare.
Hank was scared and quickly retracted his statement.
“Understood, Mr. Ward. It’s a gift.”
Caden nodded and replied, “The sooner, the better.”
When Hank got there, Alicia was occupied and couldn’t come down to retrieve the items.
But since the gesture was from Caden, he chose not to leave it with the front desk and opted to wait instead.
After a while, Blake came down to collect it.
Upon seeing him, Hank felt slightly uncomfortable. “Mr. Langstaff, where’s Ms. Bennett?”
Blake gave a sly smile. “She’s tied up in a meeting and can’t step away right now. Why, Hank, is it unpleasant seeing me?”
Hank answered, “It’s not like we’re close friends or anything.”
Blake paused.
Fair enough.
It was a smart reply, implying dislike but carefully crafted to avoid further questioning. Blake accepted the bag. “Alicia asked me to pick it up.”
After hearing that, Hank had no grounds to object.
Back at the office, he approached Caden, who was absorbed in his work at his desk. “So, did that woman have any message for me?”
Hank hesitated, feeling reluctant but knew he had to be truthful. “I didn’t meet Ms. Bennett. Blake picked it up.”
Caden suddenly didn’t know what to say.
Elsewhere, Corey, after completing the enhancements for the Q Robot, brought them to Yolanda.
The chip Caden had engineered was so revolutionary that it seemed to advance technology and legality by decades.
Corey alone couldn’t resolve the issues that arose, but Yolanda was equipped to handle them, as she had co-developed the chip with Caden.
Caden had once turned to the Moss family for assistance. In the elevator, Corey encountered a familiar face. It was a famous designer whom Caden often worked with in private.
The designer spotted Corey first and cheerfully called out, “Mr. Hampton, what a surprise. Are you here to see someone in the hospital as well?”
Corey offered a weak smile but remained silent.
They arrived at the same floor and paused outside the same hospital room. Then Corey said, “Are you here to visit Yolanda as well?”
The designer expressed his surprise. “I’m in Warrington for a bit and heard that Miss Moss was unwell, so I decided to drop by.”
Remembering their previous interactions, Corey did not ask any more questions and let the designer enter the room first.
The private suite was split into two areas. While Yolanda rested inside, Corey sat on the sofa outside, focusing on some modifications.
The designer set down some lavish gifts and inquired, “Miss Moss, are you feeling any better?”
Yolanda was lying in bed, looking pale and uninterested. She had been visited by so many people recently that she hardly acknowledged him.
Knowing her nature, the designer treated her patiently. He had another reason for his visit today. “Miss Moss, what kind of diamonds do you prefer?”
Yolanda was puzzled by his question. “Why do you want to know?”
The designer gave a knowing smile. “Mr. Ward is quite influential and has high expectations. I wanted to know your preferences to help save some time.”
Yolanda scowled deeply.
Her recent troubles at the police station had made her wary of Caden. She had no interest in big deals or personal tastes.
Regaining her composure, she questioned, “Are you creating something for Caden?”
The designer thought back to what Caden had told him. He smiled and said, “It’s a huge surprise. I was going to keep it under wraps, but seeing you today and considering the great news you’ll soon receive, I just had to let it slip.”
Yolanda saw his forced smile and felt a rush of anger.
She suspected the designer was mistaken. But for whom was Caden crafting jewelry?
Perhaps a diamond…
Maybe a ring?
The thought of Alicia flashed through Yolanda’s mind, her anger intensifying.
She leapt from her bed and seized the designer by his shirt collar.
“What is Caden creating?” she demanded fiercely.
Taken aback by her aggression, the designer stuttered.
“Miss Moss…”