Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Seething with frustration, Yolanda slapped one of the bodyguards across the face, her hand striking hard enough to echo in the tense silence.
Alicia stood off to the side, watching the chaos unfold with calm.
When she spoke, her voice was steady and cold. “I only repeated your own words, Miss Moss. Are you really going to threaten me for that? It seems that when power and wealth are involved, human decency becomes an afterthought.”
Yolanda’s chest heaved, her rage barely contained. The intensity of her glare could have cut through steel.
“Enough with the theatrics!” Yolanda finally blurted, realizing too late that Alicia had set the perfect trap, using her impulsive nature to sway public opinion.
Alicia knew Yolanda’s quick temper well and knew that she often spoke without thinking, especially in front of cameras.
Alicia met her gaze, unyielding. “So, tell us, Miss Moss – do your words mean anything, or are they just empty threats? Will you stand by them, or hide behind excuses?”
The cameras pressed in like a relentless tide.
Yolanda’s face flushed crimson, a blend of fury and humiliation. Dorian, who had been watching from the sidelines, could no longer remain passive. He stepped forward, commanding attention with his presence.
Yolanda spotted him instantly, and the fire in her eyes dimmed. She bit her lip, tears threatening to spill as she whispered, “Daddy…”
At that moment, she seemed small and vulnerable, as if she were the one under attack.
Dorian moved her gently behind him and turned to face Alicia.
His calm, authoritative voice cut through the noise. “Ms. Bennett, my daughter has been unwell and is taking medication that affects her emotions. She misspoke today, and I apologize on her behalf.”
He offered the apology with practiced grace, subtly shifting the pressure back onto Alicia.
Alicia’s expression remained neutral, her voice unwavering. “Mr. Moss, as far as I know, only those declared mentally unfit can avoid accountability. Do you have proof of your daughter’s condition?”
Dorian’s jaw clenched, though his voice stayed measured. “No, she is perfectly fine, which is why I’m here to apologize.”
“Then your apology isn’t necessary,” Alicia responded, her tone firm. “The one responsible should face the consequences themselves.”
From the crowd, Benedict muttered, “Why is she pushing so hard? Even a public apology from someone as influential as Dorian isn’t enough?”
Caden’s response was clipped and cold. “Age or status doesn’t excuse wrongdoing. If it did, why would we have laws?”
Benedict shot Caden a pointed look. “Why are you so riled up over a woman? Is it really worth it?”
Caden’s eyes narrowed. “Uncle, do you want to find out what happens when I stop being respectful?”
Benedict scoffed, his irritation toward Alicia growing. “A woman like her will only bring trouble if she marries into the family. Mark my words, you’ll regret it.”
Caden’s tone was calm but firm. “I’m not living under your roof, so why the concern?”
Benedict wanted to retort, but then he heard Dorian speak again, his voice steady but with an edge of desperation. “My daughter has been pampered and is unwell. Ms. Bennett, given her condition, could we let this matter rest?”
Alicia’s expression hardened. “I’ve never seen a patient act so aggressively.” Her voice sharpened as she recounted Yolanda’s past behavior. “Animal abuse, unauthorized use of others’ likenesses to build illegal robots, and claiming Blizzard Group’s technology as her own. Mr. Moss, did you help her with any of that?”
Like vultures sensing blood, the reporters surged forward, bombarding Dorian with sharp, relentless questions.
Dorian’s eyes twitched, a flash of anger breaking through his composed exterior.
Alicia raised a hand, stopping the reporters. “You can ask him your questions later. Right now, I have other matters to attend to. I’ll leave once Miss Moss wraps up what she started.”
Dorian’s tone deepened. “This isn’t wise, Alicia. I’ll take responsibility for Yolanda’s actions. Just name your price, and I’ll make it right.”
Before Alicia could respond, a commanding voice cut through the tension. “Mr. Moss, perhaps you should clarify who Alicia really is before making any offers.”
All eyes turned.
Caden stood tall in a crisp suit, his presence powerful and unwavering. The regal air around him seemed perfectly in sync with Alicia’s own fierce poise. Dorian didn’t flinch at his arrival.
He knew Caden would defend Alicia, no matter the situation.
“Alicia’s gallery is just getting off the ground,” Dorian remarked. “If she intends to expand, she’ll need substantial funding.”
Caden’s lips curled into a half-smile. “Do you think I, as her boyfriend, will do nothing and just watch? The money I’ve made is also hers. I can financially support her, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
Caden flashed a light smile, his expression a carefree dance of audacity and mischief.
His presence seemed to embolden Alicia, instantly giving her the courage she needed to stand up to Dorian.
Behind them, Yolanda could no longer contain herself and lunged forward, but Dorian swiftly restrained her by the wrist.
He understood that Alicia had orchestrated today’s chaos. She had suffered too much injustice in the past, and today, she was seizing the moment, determined to make Yolanda pay. But as a father, Dorian would never stand by and watch his daughter lower herself to such depths.
“Alicia, whether you like it or not, the condition I proposed earlier still stands,” Dorian declared firmly. “Moreover, I will ensure Yolanda publicly apologizes to you in front of all the media.”
At this point, he felt he had done everything he could. But Alicia remained unmoved.
“Miss Moss isn’t some precious gem. Her apology holds no value for me.”
Just when everyone thought Alicia was about to cross the line, she suddenly changed her tone. “Mr. Hampton, I need some privacy.”
Corey’s eyes flickered with surprise.
He promptly called for security and bodyguards to forcefully escort the reporters out.
Before long, the area in front of the exhibition hall fell silent, leaving only a handful of people behind.
Dorian turned to Yolanda. “Apologize.”
Yolanda clenched her teeth, her body rigid with reluctance. Alicia said, “I don’t care about her apology, but someone else needs it.”
She looked at Caden and asked, “Did you bring any bodyguards?”
Caden hesitated, unsure of her intentions.
“I brought my uncle.”
Alicia looked at Benedict, who was standing nearby as an observer.
“That’s pointless. We need bodyguards,” she said.
Benedict was at a loss for words.
Caden interjected, “What do you need bodyguards for?”
“I intend to take Yolanda to a place,” Alicia replied, her tone unwavering. “Bodyguards can help us avoid unnecessary trouble.”
Dorian felt a tight knot form in his heart. “Alicia, what exactly do you have in mind?”
Alicia was direct. “I want her to go to the cemetery and apologize to Mrs. Ward.”
Dorian’s expression immediately changed.
Yolanda’s face flickered with a fleeting pang of guilt, perhaps stirred by Caden’s presence, making her hesitate to even draw a deep breath.
Dorian said, “That situation was Corey’s doing. What good would it do to take it out on Yolanda?”.
“I know better than anyone who’s truly responsible, and I believe Yolanda knows too,” Alicia shot back, her impatience palpable. “You can refuse, but if you do, let Yolanda leave here on her hands and knees like a dog. The choice is yours. I’m fine with either outcome.”
Yolanda grasped Dorian’s hand, her voice trembling. “Dad, I don’t want to go.”
However, her words held little power in this situation.
The bodyguards arrived as soon as Caden made the call.
Dorian’s expression turned icy. “Caden, Yolanda made a mistake, and you’ve already punished her. Do you really want to force my hand against you?”
Caden shrugged, a casual smirk playing on his lips. “What I did has nothing to do with Alicia. Today, she is just venting her anger, and I’m merely following my girlfriend’s wishes.”
When the bodyguards saw him nod, they forcefully escorted Yolanda away.
She desperately screamed, “Dad, I don’t want to go! I don’t want to go! Please help me!”
Dorian made a move to intervene, but Corey stopped him.
“It’s merely a gesture of apology; it’s not an unreasonable request,” Corey insisted. “Today, Caden dared to defy you in front of the media, clearly signaling his desire to sever ties with you. Why provoke a loose cannon?”
Fuming with rage, Dorian shoved Corey aside.
He ordered someone to follow and ensure Yolanda’s safety.
Meanwhile, his anger cast a shadow over his judgment. “Caden is truly fearless,” Dorian said coldly. “However, one day, he will come crawling back, admitting his mistake.”
Corey chuckled softly, shaking his head. “So what’s stopping you? He’s 26 now, at the peak of his impulsiveness. Take action before he turns 30, or you might find yourself unable to handle him.”
Dorian fell silent, his expression unreadable.
Some issues, even when they reached a point of no return, still carried a flicker of sentimentality for him.
But Caden was ruthless.
After all, he was the one who had disregarded their friendship first. Dorian knew it was time to act.
After Corey left, Dorian focused on addressing the follow-up issues with his Q Robot.
The demonstration had gone smoothly that day. Eager to appease the clients quickly, he handed the chip over to his subordinates for cloning without thoroughly inspecting it first. However, his secretary remained skeptical.
“Mr. Hampton, is it really resolved? Doesn’t it seem a bit too simple?”