Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Now burdened with the responsibility of the six hundred thousand, Lucilla needed to adhere to Caden’s directives and execute the assigned task. There was no time to be bogged down by familial dependencies.
Elsewhere, Alicia settled into a predictable rhythm, shuttling between her laboratory and home, managing company affairs remotely. Upon his return to Warrington, Corey assumed leadership of the company.
Recently, for unknown reasons, every project Alicia managed encountered a myriad of issues, all demanding her attention. Growing impatient after addressing countless problems, Alicia made a call to inquire about the ongoing issues.
Corey’s response was unexpectedly personal. “How are things between you and Caden?”
It had been some time since they last talked, and Corey’s voice sounded rougher, as though he had aged significantly overnight.
Alicia responded icily, “That’s irrelevant to you. Your focus should be on your responsibilities as a shareholder.”
Corey’s reply was dismissive. “What’s the value in accumulating wealth? The things I truly desire cannot be purchased.”
Alicia, puzzled, promptly checked Corey’s recent activities. She noticed that he had purchased a ticket to Terriland and transferred a substantial sum of money, though the specifics eluded her. This pattern suggested that Corey was likely involved in something dubious.
“What exactly did you acquire in Terriland?” Alicia pressed.
Corey sounded annoyed. “Are you investigating me?”
Alicia retorted, “For transactions exceeding fifteen million, compliance with the contract is mandatory. Did you adhere to it?”
Corey remained silent.
The shift in dynamics, from CEO to being eclipsed by a woman, left him visibly unsettled. During the last two years, Alicia had devoted herself entirely to supporting Gemma, while he had handed over the group’s power, never taking her seriously, thinking she was just playing around.
But Alicia had revamped the entire operational structure, gaining the trust and support of the team. Most of the company’s success was due to her strategies behind the scenes. Corey had grown complacent, and now he found it impossible to regain control.
Furthermore, Alicia’s potential actions during a major restructuring were concerning. Caden would likely exploit any instability to take over the Hampton Group.
After a tense pause, Corey finally spoke. “I received some news in Terriland you might find pertinent. Dorian has taken Yolanda back. It appears a father-daughter reconciliation is on the horizon.”
Alicia’s thoughts drifted to Dorian, stirring a pang of ache in her heart.
In the past two years, after discovering her partnership with Corey, Dorian had offered quiet support in numerous ways, driven by guilt. Yet, Alicia had consistently declined his offers for reconciliation.
The car accident remained a haunting memory that she couldn’t shake off. After hanging up the phone, Alicia struggled to settle her emotions.
She picked up a book and absentmindedly began flipping through its pages. Eventually, she realized it was a cookbook tailored for those with erratic schedules and digestive issues, recommended by a gastroenterologist she had consulted recently at the hospital.
Though Alicia was in good health, she knew Caden suffered from severe stomach issues that required careful meal planning.
Her thoughts wandered back to Caden, and her mood, previously influenced by Corey, lightened considerably as she thought of him, the cookbook forgotten in her lap. It was Caden’s call that finally pulled her from her reverie. “The experiment has made some progress. Want to come over and see?” he inquired.
Alicia gave a noncommittal “Mm.”
“Okay, I’ll come pick you up,” Caden offered.
As he arrived, the rain began to fall again. The relentless drizzle mirrored the dreary skies that seemed to press down on the city.
Opening the car door, Alicia was greeted by a bouquet of fresh pink roses, their vibrant buds bejeweled with raindrops, releasing a subtle fragrance. The sight momentarily lifted the gloom from her spirit. Alicia bit her lip, gazing at the flowers without reaching for them.
“Are you going on a date with someone later?” she asked.
Caden watched her closely, gauging her reaction. He couldn’t help but admire her acting; her question seemed driven by genuine curiosity.
“Not sure yet,” he answered as he started the car. “If she’s free tonight and I play my cards right, then yes, I might have a date with her.”
Alicia responded with a simple “Oh.”
Resting her head on her hand, Alicia idly commented, “The roses are pink, so I guess the person you like must be quite young.”
Caden played along, truthfully admitting, “She’s a year younger than me.”
“That’s hardly young,” Alicia pointed out.
“It doesn’t matter,” Caden replied with a light smile. “I like her for who she is; age is just a number.” It was rare for him to speak so sentimentally.
Alicia instinctively wrapped her arms around herself. Noticing this, Caden assumed she was cold and turned up the heater in the car.
When they arrived at the lab building, Caden leaned over to help her with her seatbelt.
After the click of the release, he lingered, his eyes tracing her features. His voice was slightly hoarse. “Ms. Bennett, are you free tonight?”
Alicia was momentarily taken aback by his closeness. “No,” she responded. “Honestly, your wooing tactics aren’t what they used to be.”
Caden reflected on the years gone by when the notion of courtship was far from his mind. Those years were filled with debates, conflicts, and impulsive nights together. Their closeness had been physical; their exchanges had been breaths and whispers, not sweet nothings.
Caden opened the car door, resolved. “Then I’ll keep improving.”
Knowing the flowers would attract too much attention in the lab, Alicia decided to leave them in the car to take home later.
Caden opened an umbrella and ushered her under it, keeping it tilted to mostly shield her, resulting in his shoulder getting soaked.
Silently, Alicia adjusted the umbrella to cover him more evenly.
“I don’t mind getting wet,” Caden remarked casually. “No need to worry about me.”
Alicia’s face remained impassive. “I know you’ve been indulging in those sappy romance films lately, but try to be practical. This umbrella could easily cover three people. Why tilt it so dramatically? Are you saving space for an imaginary friend?”
Caden fell awkwardly silent.
“Oh, right.” He corrected his hold, positioning the umbrella to cover them both adequately.
But how did she guess about his recent movie habits? As the umbrella shifted, Alicia spotted a figure at the entrance.
Before she could discern who it was, the figure hurried over and dropped to the ground before Caden with a heavy thud.
Alicia jumped slightly.
Lucilla clung to Caden’s pant leg. “Caden, please, I need your help,” she implored.
She was scantily clad for the weather, soaked from the rain, her face pale from the chill, and her voice shaking. Yet, her hold was desperate and determined.
Caden detached her hand firmly and continued walking, with Alicia beside him.
Alicia furrowed her brow. “Aren’t you going to help her?”
Caden’s face remained stoic. “I can’t. Given the track record of the Kelly family, my efforts are better spent on legitimate charities.”
They made their way into the revolving door quickly. Through the glass, Alicia caught one last glimpse of Lucilla being escorted away by security.
Perhaps it was their shared womanhood, but a twinge of sympathy for Lucilla stirred in Alicia. She asked, “How much money does she need?”
Caden didn’t flinch as he lied. “She’s not after money; she’s after someone.”
Alicia was taken aback. “Who?”
“Me.”
Alicia’s lips twitched involuntarily.
Caden explained further. “Yvonne orchestrated this, hoping Lucilla would use me to ascend socially, seeing me as nothing more than an ATM. If I were to assist her, wouldn’t I just be playing into their hands?”
Alicia understood Yvonne’s motives, so she didn’t question Caden’s explanation. Still, hearing it from him felt strange. She looked back at Lucilla, understanding the source of her unease.
Lucilla appeared desperate, her determination clear. There was no sign that she harbored any interest in Caden. Yet, it wouldn’t be entirely accurate to say that Caden was overly sentimental, as Lucilla had shown interest before.
Deciding to set aside the confusing matter, Alicia said, “Let’s first check on the experiment.”
They spent the day in the lab, and later, Alicia and Caden proceeded to the restaurant they had booked. There, Alicia saw Lucilla again.
The rain had stopped, but Lucilla was still dressed as before, her persistence seeming like a mission.
Alicia said, “Is she really trying to get your attention with this approach?”
Caden responded calmly, “Everyone chooses their own path. Just let her be.”
Alicia couldn’t escape the nagging thought that Lucilla looked fragile, as though she might collapse at any moment. Alicia felt a surge of sympathy. “Is this one of Yvonne’s ideas? This dramatic scheme seems like her style.”
Caden looked at her. “You were wrong; it was my idea,” he confessed inwardly. “Perhaps,” he said with feigned gravity, “she’s capable of anything.”
Alicia frowned. “Treating her niece this way is too cruel.” At this, Caden remained silent, at a loss for words. Just then, a loud thud echoed from where Lucilla had fallen.
Alicia was startled to see Lucilla suddenly collapse to the ground.
Caden raised an eyebrow, thinking that her act was quite impressive. The fall could seriously hurt her.
Alicia hurried to Lucilla’s side.
She said to Caden, “Call an ambulance.”
He dismissed the urgency. “She’s just pretending. No need to panic.”
Irritated, Alicia replied, “Pretending? She’s as pale as a ghost! If something happens to her on our watch, it’ll be on you. Call the ambulance now!”
Caden’s demeanor softened upon realizing Alicia’s concern.
He then called for an ambulance.
It turned out Lucilla had fainted from hunger and cold.
After settling the medical bills, Caden approached Alicia. “I’ve tried reaching her family, but no one answered. I’ll have my team oversee her recovery.”