Hank silently promised himself he would pass along the details of the conversation to Caden, hoping it might lift his spirits. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they parted ways.

Alicia was the first to exit the building. As she stepped outside, Caden, who was parked by the roadside, noticed her. He turned his gaze to her as she walked, watching her through the car window. She was out of view, unaware of his presence. His eyes followed her every movement, studying her from head to toe.

Although she didn’t appear to have any visible injuries, her gait was noticeably off. She seemed to be favoring one foot, her steps hesitant, barely lifting one foot off the ground.

Caden couldn’t help but think sarcastically to himself, “Why didn’t she just hit her head? Maybe that would knock some sense into her.”

Meanwhile, Hank, wanting to back up his fabricated story, picked up a box of digestive tablets and returned to the car. Caden gave him a quick glance but didn’t say a word.

Hank started the car, and the two fell into a brief silence.

After a moment, Caden commented, “You were quick to return.”

Your escape begins with gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․𝓬𝗈m

Hank nodded, “Yes, Mr. Ward. My long legs help.”

Caden didn’t respond, and the rest of the drive back to the company passed quietly. Caden gazed out the window, his expression unreadable, while Hank stole occasional glances at him, wondering if Caden had any questions or thoughts to share. Deciding that Caden’s silence meant he wasn’t interested in speaking, Hank kept quiet.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, Caden finally broke it, frowning. “What happened at the pharmacy?”

Hank shook the bag of pills slightly, glancing over at Caden. “I just picked up the digestive tablets, Mr. Ward.”

Caden’s eyes narrowed. “And what else happened?”

Hank hesitated, then continued, “Ms. Bennett had a few choice words about you.”

Caden’s expression darkened slightly. “What exactly did she say?”

“She said you got what you deserved,” Hank replied, his tone cautious.

Caden paused, his face unreadable. He took a deep breath but didn’t respond immediately. “Is that all?” he asked, his voice colder now.

“Yes, that’s everything she said,” Hank confirmed.

Caden fell silent once more, his thoughts seemingly distant, leaving Hank unsure of what to say next.

“I’m asking if there was anything else that happened, you idiot!” Caden thought, feeling his irritation rise. “It seems like your brain switches off after work. Is your mind gathering cobwebs?”

Noticing Caden’s frustration, Hank cautiously ventured, “Mr. Ward, is there something you’d like to discuss?”

With a frosty tone, Caden replied, “I’m contemplating how to dispense with your services.”

Hank was taken aback. “What have I done?” he wondered, feeling a sense of confusion.

Annoyed, Caden snapped, “Drive us back to the apartment.”

Then something occurred to Hank. “Mr. Ward, were you aware that Ms. Bennett visited the Yates Mansion yesterday?”

This question clearly agitated Caden. The thought of Alicia’s visit to the Yates Mansion had been weighing on him.

“Why do you ask?” Caden inquired, his voice clipped.

Hank, trying to be as honest as possible, explained, “Ms. Bennett injured her ankle after jumping from an upper floor. Mr. Yates attempted to confine her.”

Caden’s face tightened, a pang of dismay shooting through him. “Did she tell you that?”

Hank responded, “It was her friend who inadvertently revealed it. Ms. Bennett seems keen on keeping it under wraps.”

The details replayed in Caden’s mind like a film. Reflecting on his phone call with Joshua the night before, Caden had suspected there was more to Alicia’s silence. She loathed Joshua—how could she possibly have agreed to be with him?

That was why he hadn’t ended the call when Joshua hinted at her involvement. Caden had been waiting for Alicia to say, “Caden, come get me.” If she had, he would have rushed to her immediately.

But Alicia remained silent. By morning, she appeared with fresh clothes and marks on her neck, yet still didn’t offer an explanation, even when he asked.

Caden’s expression darkened, his face as grim as the ocean before a storm.

Without saying another word, he provided Hank with a contact’s details. “Invite this competitor of the Green family to dinner tonight. Treat him well.”

Hank made a mental note. “Got it, Mr. Ward.”

Given the significant challenge ahead, Caden knew that Joshua would likely seek financial support from the Green family. However, if the Green family faced their own difficulties at this point, they wouldn’t be able to help Joshua.

Essentially, Joshua was in for a difficult period.

Once Caden ascended the stairs, he dialed Alicia’s number.

Alicia had just said goodbye to Monica and was on her way back to the hotel. Her response was nonchalant. “What do you want?”

Caden, now in his living room, replied, “When will you replace my living room sofa?”

The quarrel from earlier that morning flashed in Alicia’s mind—Caden had berated her for staining his sofa, and she had hastily promised to replace it. She knew commitments had to be honored.

“Where did you purchase the sofa?” she asked, trying to find a way to resolve the situation.

“It’s a limited edition. They don’t make it anymore,” Caden answered flatly.

Alicia was left speechless, realizing just how high-end and exclusive his possessions were. She reluctantly responded, “How much did it cost? I’ll buy another of equal value.”

Caden’s reply was uncompromising. “I want the original one.”

Alicia fought to keep her cool. “But it’s no longer available, is it?”

“That sounds like a personal problem,” Caden retorted coldly.

Alicia pulled the phone away from her ear and muttered a curse under her breath. Caden, however, caught every word.

His tone grew even colder as he warned, “Next time you criticize me, make sure you’re muted.”

Alicia gritted her teeth, thinking to herself, I just wanted to get under your skin.

“So, what’s your proposal?” she asked, determined to confront him directly despite the tension.

Caden responded bluntly, “Come here, and we’ll talk face to face.”