Alicia turned her gaze away from Gerry, her expression composed yet unreadable. “No.”

“Maybe he’s caught in traffic?” Gerry suggested, attempting to defend Caden. “It’s such a big event; there’s no way he’d miss it. I’ll give him a call.”

Alicia quickly interjected, stopping him. “No need. If he can make it, he will.” Not wanting Gerry to discern her emotions, she added, “I’ll go greet the guests.”

Gerry followed her, about to ask if she and Caden had argued, when he suddenly spotted a tall, striking man approaching Alicia with a bouquet of flowers.

“Ms. Bennett,” the man greeted her warmly, his eyes filled with admiration and affection. “Congratulations.”

Gerry’s curiosity ignited instantly.

Who was this guy?

He carried himself with an air of importance, dressed in a custom-tailored suit and wearing a watch that likely cost a fortune. Clearly, he was affluent.

And now he was handing Alicia a bouquet while gazing at her with undeniable intensity.

Lαtєѕt чhαptєrs in gɑlnovе𝓁ѕ.𝒸o𝓂

Gerry’s eyes sparkled with intrigue as he discreetly pulled out his phone, ready to capture the moment.

Alicia accepted the flowers graciously, offering the man her thanks. They chatted briefly, sharing laughter—a display that appeared friendly and comfortable but not overly familiar.

Gerry found the perfect angle and snapped several photos. After a few exchanges, Alicia placed the bouquet on the gift table, arranging it among the other presents from clients and friends.

The man noticed this and seemed to understand the subtle message.

He clearly had feelings for her, but to Alicia, he was just a friend. She accepted the roses to avoid hurting his feelings, yet to her, they were no more than a polite gesture.

Gerry wasted no time. He quickly sent the photos to Caden, accompanied by a text: “Why aren’t you here? Your rival in love has already made his move—with flowers!”

Just as he hit send, a stir erupted at the entrance.

Alicia turned her head, curious about the source of the commotion.

Caden stepped inside, dressed in a flawlessly tailored suit. His commanding presence and striking features silenced the lively gathering for a moment, drawing every eye to him.

He effortlessly captured the attention of the room.

Alicia took a deep breath, channeling his poise as she greeted him with a composed smile.

Caden’s sharp gaze swept across the room, taking in the crowd of high-society guests. The man with the roses stiffened, realizing he had been thoroughly outclassed. Discreetly, he retreated into the background.

Caden approached Alicia, his steps measured and deliberate. Keeping a respectful distance, he extended a gift toward her.

“Ms. Bennett, my apologies for the delay,” he said, his voice steady, his face neutral. But the intensity in his eyes betrayed far more than his calm demeanor let on.

Alicia’s pulse quickened as she accepted the gift. “Not at all, Mr. Ward. I’m glad you could make it.”

As she reached for the box, Caden’s fingers brushed against hers.

She froze.

His long fingers grazed hers with a subtle yet deliberate touch, sending an unexpected thrill through her.

Alicia quickly averted her gaze, pulling her hand away as she stepped back with the gift.

Caden noticed the faint blush creeping up her ears and couldn’t suppress a small smile.

Alicia, stunning in her elegant champagne-colored gown, was a vision. The dress, perfectly tailored to her graceful silhouette, enhanced her natural beauty. She exuded a confidence that made her all the more captivating.

Before long, she immersed herself in the festivities once again, effortlessly charming those around her.

Caden, still holding his wine glass, remained composed, his eyes occasionally drifting toward her.

Gerry sidled up to him, a mischievous grin on his face. “Did you see that bouquet of roses? Alicia’s made it clear she’s not looking for anything serious, yet that guy had the nerve to make a move. He must think pretty highly of himself.”

Caden’s expression remained unbothered. “And?”

Gerry raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Don’t you feel the slightest hint of competition?”

Caden’s gaze shifted to the well-dressed man lingering nearby, casting furtive glances at Alicia.

“Someone like him stands no chance with Alicia,” he remarked, his tone steady and assured.

Gerry scoffed, shaking his head. “Don’t get too cocky. People change. What if one day Alicia grows tired of you and seeks something new?”

Caden’s response was cool and unwavering. “You’re quite the comedian.”

Would Alicia ever tire of him? He would ensure that never happened.

A server glided past, balancing a tray of drinks. Caden set his glass down and exchanged a few quiet words with the server. After slipping him some cash, the server nodded and continued on his way.

At that moment, Caden’s phone buzzed. Answering it, he listened intently to the voice on the other end. His expression grew serious, and after a curt nod, he pocketed the phone and made his way outside. Moments later, his car disappeared into the night.

When Alicia finished her responsibilities, she scanned the crowd for Caden, but he was nowhere to be found. Her gaze flickered to the entrance—his car was gone as well.

Gerry approached her, offering an explanation. “Caden had an urgent matter at the office. He couldn’t stay. You don’t need to wait for him to have dinner.”

Alicia paused briefly before nodding in understanding.

Since launching her gallery, she had cultivated a composed exterior, one that allowed her to manage both minor and major issues with grace. It made it nearly impossible for others to discern her true emotions.

Gerry raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You’re not upset with him?”

After all, Caden had not only arrived late but left early—a gesture that could easily be seen as discourteous.

Alicia shook her head, her tone calm and professional. “I’ll return to work now. Please, enjoy yourself, Mr. Hopkins.”

Gerry was left standing in stunned silence.

Her generosity was striking.

Was this what they called love?

As Alicia turned to walk away, she noticed the bouquet of roses was no longer on the gift table. She scanned the room, but there was no trace of it. Instead, her eyes landed on a server who appeared visibly uneasy.

Alicia approached him, her expression calm yet inquisitive.

Before she could say a word, the server blurted out, “Ms. Bennett, I swear I didn’t throw away the flowers!”

Alicia blinked in surprise. She hadn’t even asked.

Realizing his slip, the server’s face turned crimson, and he fell silent, clearly flustered.

Alicia had no intention of blaming him. Instead, she asked evenly, “Who told you to do that?”

The server hesitated for a moment, then admitted, “It was Mr. Ward. He said one of the guests had a pollen allergy and asked me to dispose of the flowers.”

For a moment, Alicia stood still, processing the revelation.

“Allergic, my foot,” she thought, her lips curving into a faint, incredulous smile. “Caden really is a petty man.”