Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
It was clear that he hadn’t been allowed to sleep in the bed.
Considering Corey’s current predicament and his need for Alicia’s expertise, if Corey really turned to her for help, she would definitely feel proud, and her mood would improve.
After all, the Q Robot was already in trouble. Even if it made a comeback, it wouldn’t matter.
Caden thought it might as well be used as a stepping stone to please Alicia.
Caden instructed Hank, “Get some gifts ready. I’ll be dining at Tav Mansion tonight.”
Hank acknowledged and said, “I’ll check with Ms. Bennett to see if she’ll be joining us.”
“Okay.” Caden nodded.
Hank added, “And I swear, I’ll keep your name out of it.”
Caden gave him a sidelong glance. “Did I ever claim it was my idea? Pretty sure you were the one who brought it up.”
Feeling emboldened, Hank replied, “Mr. Ward, you really don’t mean it? In that case, I’ll just-“
Before Hank could finish, Caden nudged him with a quick, decisive shove.
Unfazed, Hank dialed Alicia’s number without missing a beat.
As soon as Hank mentioned Joy Mansion, Alicia’s tone turned firm. “I’m not going, Hank.”
Hank sighed, using his go-to tactic. “Come on, Ms. Bennett, if you don’t go, Mr. Ward’s going to dock my bonus and maybe even fire me! You know how much competition he’s up against these days. If I get tossed from Blizzard Group, who’s going to hire me?”
Alicia chuckled. “I’ll hire you. Tell me what role you want.”
Hank blinked, momentarily thrown off.
He shot a quick, nervous glance at Caden, then switched off the speaker.
Lowering his voice, he said, “Ms. Bennett, that’s not what I meant.”
Alicia’s voice softened, carrying a note of reassurance. “Relax, Hank. I’ve got your back. We’re all friends here, right? I’d never let you go unpaid – and I’ll even promise you double your current salary.”
Hank straightened, a hint of panic in his expression. “Mr. Ward has invested a lot in me. I plan to stick with him for the long run.”
Alicia’s voice lightened. “Good, I’m glad that’s settled. Anything else?”
Hank hesitated. There was more on his mind, but he didn’t dare voice it.
Sensing the pause, Alicia sighed. “I’m not going back to Joy Mansion, Hank. If Caden wants to go, he can go himself.”
Caden, who had been listening, didn’t push Hank further and signaled for him to end the call.
Hank looked at Caden thoughtfully. “Mr. Ward, maybe it would be best if you invited Ms. Bennett yourself. These things matter to women.”
Caden’s jaw tightened. After a moment, he grabbed his car keys and stood up.
Hank followed, adding tentatively, “Mr. Ward?”
“I’ll take care of it,” Caden said, a hint of impatience in his tone.
Understanding, Hank stepped back with a slight nod.
Caden and Alicia’s relationship was no longer a secret. Visiting Ciara at Joy Mansion required only one gift, yet Caden opted for something extravagant.
When he approached Alicia, he was ready to present it. But to his surprise, she held a gift in her hands as well. Caden’s brows knitted together. “What’s this?” he asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
Alicia’s expression was composed. “It’s a herbal tonic, good for your grandmother’s health. Please take it back for me. Just remember, it’s potent, so tell Aylin to prepare it no more than once a month.”
Caden’s eyes flicked to the label.
It was the exact brand he had chosen himself.
Despite their disagreements, they still seemed to think alike.
But it didn’t feel romantic. Alicia had no intention of going back with him.
Caden longed to end the cold war between them. The argument that started it all had been petty, yet now she wouldn’t even let him into the bedroom. It stung more than he cared to admit.
“Alicia, get in the car. We need to talk,” he said, trying to sound gentle, though the words came out strained.
Alicia glanced at him. She had already planned her evening work and didn’t see the need. “If you have something to say, just say it here. No need to get in the car.”
Caden’s hope for a smooth conversation faltered. “Talking to me is a waste of time?”
She met his gaze evenly. “I’m busy, Caden. If you have something to say, make it quick.”
But Caden wasn’t ready to back down. “Get in the car first,” he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Alicia sighed, finding him unreasonable.
Throughout their silent feud, he hadn’t even offered her a simple greeting.
Now, when he decided to reconcile, he still acted as though everything should bend to his will.
“Suit yourself,” she muttered, turning to walk away. Before she could take more than a step, Caden got out of the car, swept her off her feet, and placed her inside.
“Caden!” Alicia protested, kicking and pushing against him. Her neatly styled hair fell out of place. “There are cameras at the entrance! How am I supposed to face my employees after this?”
Caden’s eyes narrowed. “Which employee are you worried about? Blake?”
Alicia’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Why did he keep bringing up Blake? It was exhausting. Knowing Caden’s temperament, she told herself that pushing back now would only fuel his anger.
She then took a breath and softened her approach. “I’m opening a branch in Rozand. I plan to send Mr. Langstaff there. Will that be acceptable, Mr. Ward?”
Caden’s jaw clenched. “No. I want him out of your gallery completely, and it’s non-negotiable.”
Alicia’s expression fell. “Why do you have to be so unreasonable?”
“What’s the big deal? Will your gallery fall apart without him?”
Ever since Blake had tested his patience at Joy Mansion, Caden had made up his mind – Blake had to go. If Alicia hadn’t been so insistent, Caden wouldn’t have let him stay in Warrington for a moment longer.
He leaned over and fastened her seatbelt with a cold, deliberate movement.
The gesture reminded Alicia of the last misunderstanding – the very moment that had started all of this.
She pushed down her irritation and spoke calmly. “That day, I was in an awkward position, and Mr. Langstaff helped me with the seatbelt. Nothing more.”
Caden eased his expression slightly.
He held her close, their faces inches apart, the air between them electric.
Before either could think, he leaned in and kissed her.
“Did Blake really do that that day?”
Alicia bit her lip, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “As I said before, nothing else happened.”
She had just been kissed, her breath unsteady and her lips flushed, like a siren luring him into her depths.
Caden hadn’t touched her for days.
His desire was a raging fire, and lately, it had become increasingly difficult for him to hide his longing. When they had kissed, he had slipped his tongue into her mouth, tasting her sweetness that seeped deep into his heart.
It ignited the flames of yearning within him.
But Caden didn’t push further. Instead, he held her gaze, frowned, and asked, “Does fastening a seatbelt really take that long? I saw you two leaning against each other for a solid half-minute.”
Alicia ground her teeth in silence.
Though his tone was maddening, the pull of his presence was impossible to resist.
Still breathless, she turned her face away. “It wasn’t half a minute! You’re just making things up!”
“Then why did you let him buckle your seatbelt?” Caden asked, his displeasure evident. “Have you ever seen me do that for any woman?”
Alicia stared at him, incredulous. “It’s just a seatbelt, Caden. It’s called common courtesy. Why are you making it such a big deal?”
Caden was about to lose his mind.
Was it really that big of a deal?
He couldn’t even explain why these little things kept setting him off.
However, frustration built up until he felt like tearing the place apart when he saw that scene.
Alicia crossed her arms, looking at him as though he were a lost cause. “You’ve lived overseas for so many years, right? People there hug and kiss as basic etiquette.
Why haven’t you learned any of that?”
His expression turned stony. “What’s so great about hugging and kissing all the time, anyway?”
“Well, if it’s so bad, why does everyone do it?” Alicia countered with her own brand of logic. “Are they all clueless? If they are, why did you even stay abroad? Or did you end up just as clueless?”
Caden was at a loss for words.