Alicia was already waiting downstairs at Caden’s office building.

“I can come up if you’re free now,” she messaged him.

Caden was a little surprised at her eagerness.

Did she want to do this in the office?

He couldn’t deny that the idea of having sex in his office was intriguing.

Caden responded, “Yes. I’ve granted you access. Go on up.”

Alicia’s reply came quickly. “Are you not in the office?”

“I’ll be there soon. Just wait for me,” Caden answered. He had just arrived at the pharmacy and was in the middle of picking up a few things.

He carefully chose two boxes of condoms and added several aftercare products to the basket.

After finishing his shopping, Caden made his way back to the company. On the way in, he ran into Hank.

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Hank looked anxious, holding his phone as if it were burning his hand. “It’s Mrs. Ward,” he said.

Caden frowned. “Why haven’t you answered it?”

Hank replied, “I answered the first call, but she insisted on speaking directly with you. She sounded really upset. I think she’s ready to come storming over here.” The phone continued ringing persistently, and the sound was growing more and more grating.

Caden sighed, realizing he had no choice. He headed toward the lounge to take the call.

As soon as he answered, Ciara began demanding answers. “Your doctor told me you haven’t gone for your follow-up in ages. Care to explain why?”

Caden had anticipated this.

He replied in a flat tone, “I’ve been feeling fine.”

“Not this again! You always use that excuse to avoid your treatments. Do you think I’m that easy to fool?” she snapped.

“It’s different this time,” Caden countered.

Her anger only seemed to escalate. “You said the exact same thing last time! Can’t you at least come up with something new? I’m sick of hearing this!”

Caden didn’t reply, choosing silence instead.

Ciara continued, “If you refuse treatment, I’ll come over myself to make sure you’re doing what you’re supposed to. I’ll be there next week, so you’d better be taking care of yourself.”

“Medicine. If I find anything wrong, you’ll regret it!”

Caden rubbed his temples in frustration. “Why bother with treatment anyway? It’s just a minor issue.”

Ciara snapped back, “How do you expect me to get great-grandkids if you don’t take care of yourself? Don’t you want to get married? Do you plan on staying single forever?”

“You want great-grandkids? I’ll have Hank sort that out for you,” Caden replied.

Hank was shocked. What? Why me? he thought to himself.

Caden knew continuing the argument would only make Ciara angrier, so he decided to end the call.

Hank took the phone back, looking worried. “Mrs. Ward seems serious this time. Maybe it’s best if you listen and cooperate with the treatment.”

Caden replied indifferently, “If she hadn’t called, I’d already be getting treated.”

Hank stood there, momentarily bewildered.

His eyes fell on the pharmacy bag in Caden’s hand, and realization dawned on him. “Mr. Ward, are you buying random medications again?”

Caden stepped into the elevator, moving the bag to his other hand.

Hank hurried in after him.

“Are you sure it’s safe?” Hank asked. He worried that Caden might be rushing things and taking the wrong pills. “You’re not a doctor. What if you make a mistake? What if it causes a problem?”

Caden replied, “You don’t need to worry about it.”

“Of course I have to worry! Mrs. Ward made it clear I need to watch over you. It’s one thing if you refuse proper treatment, but if you take the wrong medicine, she’s going to kill me.”

When they arrived at the office, Caden glanced around, but Alicia was nowhere in sight.

He figured she had been delayed and placed the pharmacy bag in a drawer.

Hank noticed the careful way Caden handled it, and his concern only deepened.

“Mr. Ward, forgive me for being blunt,” he said. “You’re already taking a lot of medication, and it’s putting a strain on your kidneys. If you keep buying more on your own, I’m worried you won’t even make it to thirty.”

Caden had heard this lecture countless times. To him, Hank sounded like a broken record.

He knew his own body and understood exactly how much medication he could handle.

Since Hank enjoyed nagging, Caden let him do it. He simply tuned him out and focused on his own work.

Then something seemed to click in Hank’s mind. “Mr. Ward, is all this medication because you’re preparing for sexual intercourse?” he asked tentatively.

Caden leaned back in his chair, not bothering to answer. Instead, he picked up his phone and sent a quick message to Alicia. “Where are you?”

Alicia was currently in the bathroom.

She was about to reply after washing her hands when she suddenly heard Hank’s voice coming from outside the door.

“Is that person Ms. Bennett?” Hank asked.

Upon hearing her name being mentioned, Alicia paused.

She put her phone away and listened carefully.

“Yes,” Caden answered.

Hank’s tone shifted to one of exasperation. “Aren’t you and her well-matched? Why do you need medication then?”

“Who said I was taking medication?” Caden countered.

“Don’t lie to me!” Hank argued boldly. “Who used Viagra last time, then?”

Caden was left at a loss for words.

It was simply an accident. It was a prank Alicia had pulled on him.

Still, he didn’t bother to explain. He glanced at his phone, annoyed that there was still no response from Alicia.

Caden frowned.

What was taking her so long?

Hank thought for a moment, feeling like something wasn’t adding up. “Mr. Ward, you do react to Ms. Bennett, right? So, why do you need the medication? Is it because you can’t last long?”

Caden was left speechless once again.

Hank continued, “If you really want to last longer, you should go to a proper hospital. You can’t just buy random pills from a pharmacy.”

Caden’s expression hardened. “Just leave, will you?”

Hank immediately fell silent.

Caden grew increasingly impatient with Hank’s pestering. Noticing Alicia still hadn’t replied, he decided to call her.

Alicia was focused on listening to the conversation.

Her phone suddenly rang, and it startled her.

He quickly ended the call, but it was too late. Caden had already heard it.

He turned around, and his eyes locked onto hers immediately.