Alicia’s heart raced as her eyes widened in shock.

“Huh? What did he just call me?” she wondered inwardly. She stared at him, genuinely caught off guard. “How do you know my nickname?”

Caden silenced her question with a kiss, his focus clearly not on explaining but on satisfying his desires.

Although she had agreed to just once, Caden took his time, deliberately dragging out the moment. His movements were slow, but his grip remained firm.

The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on their entwined forms. Alicia looked up, meeting his gaze, and saw her reflection in his eyes.

Her flushed face and dazed expression startled her. Both her voice and the sight of herself seemed unfamiliar, almost foreign.

Caden’s intense gaze seemed to pierce through her, causing her chest to tighten. For a brief moment, Alicia wished to stay locked in his embrace forever, suspended in time.

Afterward, Alicia collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted and still reeling from the intensity of the moment. Caden printed the revised agreement and handed it to her to sign.

Still dazed, Alicia glanced up at him. “How did you know I’m called Lucky?”

The nickname was a gift from her mother, who had hoped Alicia would have a life filled with peace and fortune. Her father, on the other hand, despised it, thinking it shallow and trivial. He forbade anyone from using it, so only her mother ever called her Lucky.

And now, Caden was the second person to use it.

L𝗎tєѕτ ϲh𝒶ρτєrs ιn g𝓪l𝗇ovєl𝑆.𝒸оm

In that moment, Alicia wasn’t sure how to feel. It was as if she were caught in a wave, but somehow, holding onto him made her feel safe from being swept away.

“It was in the first photo of your album,” Caden admitted. “I saw it there.”

Alicia looked down.

The pictures reminded her of her mother, and each time she touched them, a deep sadness enveloped her.

“Don’t ever call me that again,” she said quietly.

Caden studied her face.

Her eyes were red, and her nose was still swollen. She tried to mask her sadness, but it was impossible to hide—it was so evident on her face. The traces of their earlier passion lingered, but now her expression seemed weighed down with grief.

Caden handed her the agreement. “Sign it.”

Alicia scanned the room for something to write with.

Caden held out his thumb, offering the last bit of ink on it.

She pressed her fingerprint onto the paper.

The mark was faint, and Alicia examined it closely. “This doesn’t count, does it?”

Caden took the agreement back, his expression indifferent. “It doesn’t matter. Who knows? You might want to change it again tomorrow.”

Alicia was left speechless.

She left to change into a new outfit. When she returned, she asked him about the latest developments. “Has Randolph confessed?”

“He has,” Caden replied.

Alicia’s face brightened with delight. “So? What’s the secret?”

Caden didn’t have an answer yet.

Throughout the week, he had used various tactics to corner Randolph, and now, the crucial meeting scheduled for the afternoon would be the final push.

Randolph had a choice: speak up or face dire consequences.

“We’ll find out tonight,” Caden said. After a brief pause, he added, “Anyway, what’s for dinner tonight?”

Alicia had taken charge of cooking during their time together in the apartment.

It seemed he had grown accustomed to sharing meals with her.

Alicia smiled, feeling cheered once more. “What do you feel like eating?”

He gazed into her sparkling eyes, captivated by their brightness. Her rosy complexion gave her an aura of purity and innocence.

“It’s entirely up to you. I’m not picky,” he replied.

Alicia then suggested a few dishes, but an idea struck her. She decided to cancel the dish that included both beef and celery.

Caden raised an eyebrow. “Is that dish not to your taste?”

Without thinking, Alicia replied, “It’s you who doesn’t like it.”

His heart softened slightly at her words. His expression eased into a smile as he continued, “Once the evidence is revealed, Joshua will definitely face consequences. Are you sure you won’t regret this decision?”

Alicia paused, contemplating for a moment, before nodding. “Just a little.”

Caden raised an eyebrow. “Regret what?”

“Not partnering with you sooner,” she answered.

He remained silent for a moment, processing her words. Alicia, curious, asked, “Given how efficient you are, why didn’t you take action earlier?”

“He’s not my target,” Caden replied calmly.

Meanwhile, Randolph and Rachel had arrived at the hotel’s private room. A week had passed, and they now appeared deflated, their former confidence long gone. Alicia’s injury at their home had marked the beginning of their troubles, and the bank encountered significant challenges.

What started as minor issues quickly spiraled into overwhelming problems they could no longer manage. Despite relocating, their finances remained inadequate.

Rachel wept endlessly, her eyes so puffed they were almost unrecognizable. “Randolph, who is behind this?” she asked through tears.

Randolph was livid. “Joshua did this,” he said, his gaze intensifying with every word. “He knows nearly everything I did back then. After the incident, I found out that he had taken the executives out for meals. It was clear he was the one who turned me in.”

One action triggered a cascade of consequences. Randolph faced an investigation, and all his past misdeeds came to light. He was now required to return every cent of the money he had embezzled while serving as the bank manager. Furthermore, he was headed to jail.

In the days that followed, Caden had reached out to him. Today, Randolph gathered his courage, hoping that Caden would lend his support in this final effort.

“Caden isn’t in a much better position,” Rachel said, her voice trembling. “The last time Mrs. Reyes opposed Alicia, he defended her and forced us to endure the backlash from the Reyes family. It’s cruel of him to resort to such tactics.”

Doubt crept into her mind. “Can we really count on him to help us?”

Randolph regretted the negative impression he had made on Caden in the past. “I’m uncertain about his relationship with Alicia, but I understand what he wants,” he replied, his tone shifting. That secret had always been his trump card in emergencies, and now it was time to play it. “He has more than enough money. If he helps me, I’ll reveal something that could destroy Joshua. It’s an irresistible opportunity for him.”