Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia nodded and continued on her way.
While waiting outside, Alicia’s thoughts drifted to the report and her father.
He had secretly conducted a similar test in the past too.
It seemed his demeanor had shifted dramatically afterward.
Alicia didn’t suspect her mother of betrayal, but there seemed to be some odd misunderstanding involved.
Out of nowhere, her phone began to ring.
It was Blake, sounding worried.
“Alicia, there’s a problem with some of the paintings. You need to come over right away.”
Realizing it was a work-related issue, Alicia rushed back to the gallery.
The issue with the paintings wasn’t critical, and while it appeared someone was stirring trouble, a solution was within reach.
They quickly devised a plan, though it meant Blake would be busy for the next few days and couldn’t leave Warrington.
Noticing Alicia’s pallor, Blake asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Alicia dismissed his concern, saying, “It was just a shock. I feared something had happened to the company.”
Blake lightened the mood as he teased, “With your current status, why do you get so easily shocked? Is Caden treating you poorly?”
Alicia gave a weak smile and returned to her office to rest.
She was quite exhausted and soon fell asleep in her chair.
In a short dream, Alicia experienced a mix of surprise and joy.
She dreamed she had a daughter.
In Caden’s arms, the chubby child, weighing six pounds and eight ounces, cried softly.
The sight of their father-daughter bond brought tears to Alicia’s eyes.
Waking from her dream, Alicia found it hard to shake off the joyous feeling.
She hurriedly called Caden to share her excitement, but all she heard was a cold, prolonged busy tone.
No one picked up the phone.
Romance
At that moment, Alicia was gripped by an unexplainable sense of unease.
She stopped dialing and, worn out, leaned her head on the desk, reflecting on the dream she had just experienced.
Would Caden be open to having children?
He had mentioned before that he was open to the idea.
“Caden, why didn’t you answer the phone?” Yolanda asked cheerfully from across the conference table.
Their meeting had just ended when Alicia’s call came in, but Caden chose not to answer.
He was in a bad mood and didn’t want to pass that on to her.
Yolanda continued, “I’ve just handed you crucial information, Caden. It’s your decision how to use it.”
Half an hour prior, Yolanda had sent Caden a video.
It revealed the body of Gareth’s elder son.
Whether it was a setup or not, Caden needed to be there.
He had to personally deal with the issues involving several shareholders.
They gathered in Yolanda’s private office, where she revealed to Caden that Marlon had been the one who shot Gareth.
Marlon was the hitman from the underworld whom Caden had hired during his visit to Terriland.
He had vowed loyalty to Caden but had betrayed him, evidently tempted by a better offer.
This suggested that the mastermind held more power than Caden.
“Gareth’s son was also killed by Marlon. They act without any legal restraint. Caden, can you really protect everyone?” Yolanda asked.
With a cold gaze, Caden replied bluntly, “Are you sharing all this just to persuade me to side with Dorian?”
Yolanda grinned and responded, “Caden, I appreciate talking with someone as intelligent as you.”
“Teaming up with Dorian might be wise, but the condition is marrying you. I’d rather face Marlon,” Caden said, his face emotionless.
Yolanda looked disappointed.
She clenched her fists, upset.
“Am I really that ugly, Caden?”
He remained expressionless.
“Can’t you see it for yourself?”
His words, already cutting, grew harsher.
“You’re not even in the same league as Alicia.”
With that, he pushed back his chair and stood, preparing to leave.
Yolanda, not ready to let him go, her eyes filling with tears, questioned him, “Don’t forget what got you here. Are you really willing to sacrifice your future for a woman?”
Caden’s expression was cold.
“Dorian was behind the death of Gareth’s son, and you’re asking if she’s worth it?”
Yolanda became frantic.
“My father didn’t hire Marlon!”
Caden said decisively, “If it wasn’t Dorian, then it must have been Corey. Neither of them is innocent. I will ensure that you pay for this.”
Yolanda trembled.
She was surprised by Caden’s ruthlessness; he refused to give in, even when he was pushed to this point.
Left with no other option, she proposed a deal.
“Caden, if you leave Alicia, my father will support you. Would that work?”
Caden walked away without looking back.
Yolanda followed him, but he was already too far ahead, closing off any chance for further discussion.
Caden headed back to the company.
During the drive, he mulled over the details and formed a strategy.
He instructed Hank, “Assemble your most reliable people. We need to address this issue swiftly.”
Hank listened to his overall plan and nodded solemnly.
Caden turned away, hiding his tiredness.
“Start working on it.”
Hank could see he was struggling.
The thought of opposing Dorian was daunting; they had never anticipated it.
But was there truly no alternative now?
Hank suggested, “Maybe we could have Ms. Bennett tolerate the situation for a while? You could pretend to cooperate with Yolanda for a few years. If you distance yourself enough, she might move on to someone else, which could be less costly. Don’t you think?”
Caden’s sharp eyes flickered.
“Cost? Are we supposed to measure relationships and marriages in terms of cost?”
Stunned by his serious demeanor, Hank apologized.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Ward, that was inappropriate of me.”
In the past, Caden had often viewed marriage as a strategic move, a way to align with a woman of similar status for mutual business advantages.
However, times had changed.
Alicia had transformed Caden into a believer in romance.
Caden reclined in his chair, his long fingers skillfully lighting a cigarette.