Monica instinctively glanced down at her feet. Realizing she was inadvertently leading, she quickly retreated, unwilling to kiss the stranger in the room. However, this meant Alicia would be next.

Unable to watch her friend potentially suffer, Monica stepped forward again.

Alicia noticed her action and seemed slightly taken aback. “Let’s just run,” Alicia suggested.

“That makes sense,” Monica agreed.

As they prepared to flee, Hank emerged to investigate the noise. Surprised to find Alicia and Monica outside, he whispered, “Ms. Bennett, what a surprise! Mr. Ward lost a game and now owes a kiss to a passerby. Could you assist?” His voice was low, ensuring the noise from the private room muffled his words.

Alicia, with a subtle twitch of her mouth, signaled for silence. “Keep going. You didn’t see us,” she insisted, dismissing the frivolity.

Monica remained silent this time, her curiosity piqued by the unfolding scene.

In their brief moment of hesitation, Caden appeared. Alicia’s gaze instinctively met his.

Clearly inebriated, his face was flushed, and his eyes were unfocused. He approached her, handing her a wad of cash with precision, then suddenly kissed her.

Caught off guard, Alicia was slow to react. By the time she tried to resist, Caden’s kiss deepened invasively.

Her heart racing, she reached out to strike him, but Caden was quicker. He seized her hand, pinning it, and pulled her closer, encircling her waist and securing her neck.

Hank watched, astonished by the scene. His eyes widened in disbelief.

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Monica, equally stunned, stepped back and began recording the event on her phone.

Internally conflicted, Monica thought she should intervene and confront Caden for taking advantage of Alicia. Yet, her body froze, unable to act.

Caden was undeniably skilled at kissing, making the entire experience undeniably thrilling.

Once the kiss ended, Caden gently caressed Alicia’s lips, clearly desiring more. He chuckled lightly. “Thanks for playing along. And sorry for any trouble.”

Alicia was left reeling, her lips tingling and her head spinning, unable to find her voice.

Caden then returned inside, casually suggesting, “Let’s continue drinking.”

Alicia, still in shock, stared at the substantial amount of cash in her hand.

“Thanks for playing along? Sorry for the trouble?” She wondered if he even recognized her.

Gerry had assumed Caden would back out, so he hadn’t watched. Noticing Caden’s noticeably reddened lips, he exclaimed in surprise, “You actually kissed someone? Who?”

Feeling buoyant, Caden poured himself another drink. “You missed it?”

Gerry smacked his forehead, frustrated. “Damn! I missed it! Who was it? Tell me!”

Caden let out a laugh. “You always miss the best parts,” he teased.

Gerry was left dumbfounded, curious to know more. But with Caden remaining silent, no one else dared to ask.

Gerry decided to step outside to investigate further. However, he quickly returned, visibly agitated.

“Cliff’s here!” he whispered urgently. “Quick! Find me somewhere to hide!”

Caden acted quickly, guiding Gerry to hide under the table.

Just then, a man with a stern demeanor entered. He resembled Gerry but appeared much more formidable.

Caden greeted him with a smile. “Mr. Hopkins.”

Gerry’s brother, Cliff Hopkins, approached with a stern look, demanding, “Mr. Ward, where’s Gerry?”

Caden abruptly kicked the table, revealing Gerry’s hiding spot in an instant.

“Right there,” he declared.

Gerry was left dumbfounded. He had not anticipated Caden’s betrayal. After pausing to gather his thoughts, he reluctantly emerged. Yet, his emergence did little to soften Cliff’s approach.

Typically bold and fearless, Gerry found himself unusually intimidated by Cliff, who had recently returned from military service.

Straightening up, Gerry retorted, “I was just having a drink. What’s it to you?”

Cliff’s voice, deep and authoritative, boomed. “Will you leave voluntarily, or must I force you out?”

Gerry attempted to maintain his dignity. “I’m nearly finished here. I know when it’s time to leave.”

Without hesitation, Cliff seized him by the ear and pulled him out.

“Hey! That hurts!” Gerry faltered, pleading as he was dragged. “Cliff, it hurts! Stop, Cliff!”

Meanwhile, the secrecy surrounding Alicia’s situation with Caden had become impossible to maintain. She finally revealed everything to Monica.

Monica was taken aback.

“I’ve considered many scenarios, even suspected Gerry once, but never Caden. Is he treating you well?” Alicia simply nodded in affirmation.

“He’s an excellent collaborator.”

“Just a business partner?” Monica pressed, recalling the recent expression of shyness and joy on Alicia’s face—emotions she had never witnessed in her before. “Don’t you have feelings for him?”