Three individuals were in the elevator. While Alicia and Caden were lost in thought, Gerry remained blissfully unaware of the tension.

Leaning closer to Alicia, Gerry inquired, “Alicia, what’s wrong? You look flushed. Are you feeling hot? Your face is very red.”

As Gerry spoke, Alicia felt Caden’s mocking stare intensify. Trying to dismiss the awkwardness, she touched her cheek and forced a smile. “Oh, is it? I hadn’t noticed.”

Fortunately, the elevator reached the first floor shortly after. Alicia exited quickly.

Gerry, misreading the atmosphere, turned to Caden and asked, “What did you do to her? She really seems to dislike being around you.”

Caden ignored the question and began collecting the bags.

Trying to be helpful, Gerry lifted some of the bags, but then noticed something unusual about Caden. “Do you have an erection?”

Caden’s expression remained impassive. “It’s that time of day.”

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Baffled, Gerry pressed further, “What time?”

“It usually happens around this time,” Caden explained flatly.

Gerry was left speechless, glancing down at himself, puzzled by his own body’s routines.

Meanwhile, Alicia, who had arrived by taxi and planned to leave the same way, was offered a ride by Gerry. “Ride with me, Alicia. It’s not safe to carry such a valuable painting alone at night.”

Grateful, Alicia accepted his offer.

As they moved to load the painting into Gerry’s car, Caden approached Alicia with a tube of ointment.

Recognizing it, Alicia realized it was the same ointment Caden had used previously to soothe her bruises—expensive and effective due to its rarity.

Caden spoke indifferently, “It works on other bruises too. I don’t need it. If you don’t want it, just throw it away. Whatever you decide.”

Alicia paused, momentarily caught off guard as she remembered the forgotten bruise on her knee. The pain seemed trivial now. After hesitating briefly, she took the ointment. The tube felt warm in her hand, as though Caden had been holding onto it this entire time. This realization sparked a fleeting, complex emotion, subtly changing the air between them.

Looking to escape the tension, Alicia turned to Gerry. “Mr. Hopkins, can we leave now?”

Gerry, noting the end of their conversation, finished up with the trunk. “All set,” he announced.

As Caden walked away, Alicia found herself watching his retreating form. Their relationship had been fraught with intense moments but lacked a solid foundation. It was over, decisively so. Their shared history seemed erased, leaving nothing but a profound sense of loss. Alicia only looked away once Caden had completely vanished from sight.

Turning back, she caught Gerry watching her, his expression concerned. Taken aback, she listened as he spoke plainly.

“So, you have feelings for Caden too. I thought he was the one pursuing you.”

With a bitter smile, Alicia responded, “We’re talking about Caden Ward here. I’m sure countless women want to be with him.”

“Why aren’t you together then?” Gerry asked, puzzled. “Is there still resentment from that past competition?”

Alicia looked down, her feelings a mix of uncertainty and reflection, unsure how to answer.

Gerry observed Alicia’s silence and speculated he was correct, prompting him to ask, “Joshua told you that Caden had bribed the judges in that competition, right?”

Alicia, taken aback by the abrupt reference, sensed something amiss. “Mr. Hopkins, what exactly are you implying?”

Choosing to clarify, Gerry shared, “Actually, you were the rightful winner of that competition. Even Caden was taken by surprise when the results were altered. He confronted the judges, who revealed that the decision was influenced by the organizers favoring the powerful Ward family, not by Caden.”

Alicia felt a tightness in her chest, stunned by the revelation.

The issue had been a sore point for her, but her recent interactions with Caden had somewhat dulled its sting. Nevertheless, hearing Gerry confirm her suspicions was a jolt to her system.

Was his story accurate?

Her questioning gaze prompted Gerry to explain further. “Caden was outraged when he discovered the truth and confronted the organizers. However, given the tension between you two at the time, he didn’t feel he could share this with you and decided to leave the country instead. This misunderstanding allowed Joshua to defame him. You know the animosity that developed between them. Alicia, it was naive of you to take Joshua’s word.”

The weight of past misconceptions settled heavily on Alicia’s chest. She responded bitterly, “That year, my parents had an accident. It clouded my judgment.”

She struggled with the painful realization that she had misjudged Caden, who had always been a straightforward competitor.

“Then why didn’t he clarify things when he returned?” Her voice trembled with emotion.