Hank no longer dared to challenge his luck.

The thought of losing his salary worried him deeply.

Caden rested against the window with his eyes closed.

As the car neared his apartment building, it hit a pothole. The sudden jolt prompted him to open his eyes. At that moment, he saw a familiar figure by the second-floor library window.

He focused on the figure.

“Stop the car here,” he commanded.

Hank pulled over and said, “Mr. Ward, it’s raining. Should I take you to the garage?”

Caden continued to observe the figure quietly.

gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․com, where the best stories live

Initially, he felt a slight recognition, but as he kept looking, he confirmed the figure was indeed Alicia.

Hank looked where Caden was looking.

From this distance, the figure was slightly unclear, but he could tell it was a woman.

When she shifted slightly, revealing part of her face, Hank recognized her instantly. “Ms. Bennett!” he exclaimed.

Caden then opened the car door. “Drive back,” he ordered.

Caden remained composed and reserved, showing no outward sign of excitement.

It was as though he were preparing for a tedious business meeting rather than going to meet a woman. In a way, he approached it like a project.

And this project was worth billions.

Hank tried to suppress a laugh but couldn’t resist teasing him. “Mr. Ward, there’s no rush. Ms. Bennett isn’t going anywhere. Take an umbrella so you don’t get soaked.” He offered the umbrella with a grin.

Caden, however, responded with a kick.

Meanwhile, Alicia felt a surge of energy, as if a second wind had hit her.

The more she studied, the more enthusiastic she became.

Initially, Caden’s message had distracted her. But before long, she found herself completely immersed in her studies, absorbing a wealth of new information.

She was so focused that she didn’t notice someone had approached her.

Caden stood beside her for a while. When she still didn’t acknowledge him, he pulled up a chair and sat down.

She had her headphones on, completely absorbed in translating a short passage.

It wasn’t until she reached for another book that she realized Caden was sitting beside her.

Startled, she briefly wondered if she was imagining things.

“When did you get here?” she asked.

Caden stared at her intently.

He had expected her to be upset, but instead, she appeared dazed, with a soft and relaxed expression. She reminded him of a kitten just waking up.

She was effortlessly charming, and her beauty was undeniable.

Caden spoke calmly. “I just got here.”

He hadn’t checked the time, but he knew it hadn’t been long. Alicia removed her headphones, and Caden casually took them from her, putting them on.

“What are you listening to?” he asked.

A clear foreign accent played through the headphones. Alicia preferred using audio explanations to learn more efficiently.

Having spent time abroad, the language felt natural to him, so he simply handed the headphones back to her. “Didn’t you just become a music teacher? Why are you now working to become a translator?”

Alicia gathered her books. “I’ve wasted the last couple of years, so I’m trying to catch up. Teaching music is just temporary. I picked it because it’s stable, but I want to expand my opportunities.”

Caden nodded and gave a rare compliment. “That’s a smart decision.”

He respected people’s choices, especially those who aimed higher.

Alicia got up with her books in hand. “I thought you weren’t coming back tonight.”

“I said I wasn’t coming back yesterday. Now it’s already past midnight, so technically, it’s a new day.”

Alicia didn’t know how to respond.

He always had a way with words.

Caden squinted as he watched her walk away. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

Without turning back, Alicia headed for the bookshelf. “I see you every day. It’s not a matter of whether I’m happy to see you or not.”

Her tone sounded like she was still holding a grudge, but she remained composed.

Caden followed her as she started picking out books. Most were textbooks, and she grabbed whatever seemed useful. Before long, her arms were full.

The books were heavy, and the weight strained her slim arms. Without a word, Caden took them from her, surprised by how much they weighed. “You’re pretty strong.”

“I’ve been doing some training lately,” Alicia responded. Caden was aware of her self-defense training, but he hadn’t given it much thought.

“With your build, no matter how much you train, it won’t make much of a difference. Just think of it as a way to stay in shape,” he said, subtly mocking her slim frame.

Alicia rolled her eyes and tossed a book toward him.

Seizing the moment while he caught it, she aimed an elbow at him.

Caden shifted slightly, dodging her move effortlessly.

Seemingly unfazed, Caden remarked, “So young and already so restless. Haven’t you heard? Harsh advice is like good medicine.”

Alicia didn’t expect him to react so quickly and let out a sharp breath in frustration.

Playfully, she asked, “Why don’t you teach me, then? How do I strike quickly and accurately?”

Caden responded, “Using us as an example?”

“Exactly.”

“That won’t work. My size and skills give me a complete advantage over you. You wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Alicia fell silent again.

Could he be any more arrogant?

He pressed on. “What if someone your size moves slower?”

Caden looked at her with a passionate gaze.

“Use seduction,” he muttered.

Alicia was left speechless.

Caden glanced around and then pointed toward a corner of the bookshelf.

“See that spot over there? No cameras cover it. If you really want to learn, take your shot when I’m not paying attention. Let’s see what you’ve got.”