Alicia jumped and spun around. At some point, Caden must’ve quietly positioned himself behind her. His gaze was as cold as ice.

Feeling a wave of guilt, she nearly dropped the cup she held. She forced a smile and said, “Didn’t I ask you to stay in the kitchen? What are you doing here?”

Caden replied ominously, “If I hadn’t come, would I have discovered the big surprise you’ve prepared for me?”

Alicia found herself at a loss for words. Though her prank had been a spur-of-the-moment idea, she remained cautious. Even so, he still managed to catch her.

Feeling the icy tension radiating from Caden, Alicia knew better than to argue. With a reluctant sigh, she poured the toilet water down the drain. Then, she straightened up and placed her hands behind her back. She bowed her head, falling silent.

Caden towered over her, his broad chest making him seem even more imposing. When his expression shifted to one of stern authority, he resembled a strict schoolmaster reprimanding a misbehaving student.

Alicia stayed quiet and compliant, but the defiant posture she maintained showed that she wouldn’t back down. He then stared at her hand.

“Why are you still holding onto that cup?” he asked. “What? Are you planning on filling it up again once I leave you alone?”

Alicia’s lips twitched slightly as she tossed the cup aside. She could tell that Caden was genuinely angry, but after knowing him for so many years, she had witnessed his worst moods and felt no fear.

Her curiosity got the better of her. “How did you know I was planning to prank you?”

Caden felt a wave of nausea wash over him as he recalled the earlier scene. Initially, he hadn’t been suspicious, but something in his gut urged him to check on Alicia.

When Caden caught sight of her scooping water from the toilet, his expression darkened instantly. He felt a sense of relief that he had walked in when he did. What would have happened if he hadn’t?

LΑτєѕτ chαρτєrs ιn g𝓪l𝑛ovєl𝑆.𝗰𝑜𝗺

In all honesty, he was looking forward to the pear soup. If he had accidentally consumed it, his obsessive cleanliness would have made him vomit for days. Caden’s voice was icy as he spoke succinctly. “Wash your hands thoroughly before returning to the kitchen.”

Alicia remarked, “You still haven’t explained how you knew!”

Caden replied sharply, “Your foolish eyes gave you away!”

Alicia felt a surge of anger. “Well, your eyes are even more foolish!”

After the earlier incident, Caden scrutinized her every move. Alicia, too, felt cautious around him. She kept her behavior in check.

Before long, the shrimp finished cooking, and Alicia even found time to whip up a dipping sauce. The dish was a vibrant blend of color, aroma, and flavor. Caden stood behind her, watching her skilled movements. He was fully aware that she had perfected this routine over time. She had practiced tirelessly, all for Joshua.

As Alicia reached for a plate, she quickly pulled back when she realized the rim was too hot. Caden stepped in effortlessly, lifting the plate with one hand.

Alicia touched her ear and went to grab the cutlery. The dining table wasn’t large by any means. Once seated, they were positioned just the right distance apart.

Feeling hungry, Alicia dove into her meal without hesitation. She ate slowly, with grace and poise, showing no signs of rushing. With a shrimp in her mouth, she glanced up at Caden, who sat upright and motionless.

“Why aren’t you eating anything?” she asked tentatively. “Is it not to your taste?”

Earlier, while she was cooking, he seemed quite satisfied. Caden maintained a neutral expression and asked, “Is it too hot for you?”

Alicia moved the food around in her mouth and blew on it lightly. “Yes.”

“Then tell me this—if I placed my hand on the plate, would it burn?”

Alicia found his question strange and tilted her head in confusion. She instinctively glanced at his hands, but they were empty.

Then, realization hit her. “Oh, I’m just used to serving myself.”

Her comment unexpectedly softened Caden’s demeanor. He stood up and grabbed the cutlery for himself. Noticing Caden savoring the meal, Alicia saw an opportunity to ask, “When will you give me the rest?”

Caden continued to eat leisurely and responded, “The job isn’t finished yet. There’s no need to hurry.”

Alicia countered, “But you promised you wouldn’t sleep with me!”

Caden lifted his gaze slightly. “I wasn’t saying that. I was referring to the pear soup.”

Alicia found herself momentarily at a loss for words. Frustrated, she exclaimed, “Can you please stop giving me mixed signals?”

Caden replied calmly, “Which of my words misled you? Did I say anything alluding to sex?”

Alicia shot back, “You knew exactly what you were suggesting.”

“I can’t speak for that, but your mind certainly seems to wander,” Caden replied after taking a leisurely sip of his soup. “But I understand. With my skills, it’s only natural that women can’t resist me after we’ve been intimate.”

His comment left Alicia speechless. Did that imply he had been with many women? She tightened her grip on the fork and asked, “Have you been with a lot of them?”

Caden smirked and asked, “What do you think?”

Alicia studied his handsome face, trying to gauge his response. He was a good-looking man in the prime of his life. In all honesty, he looked like a playboy with a string of affairs and possibly even illegitimate children around the world. He might even have an STD.

The fact that she had lost her virginity to someone so vile made her feel uneasy.

As a result, when she brought the pear soup to him, her movements were somewhat clumsy. “Eat this, and then settle your debt with me,” she said, making her impatience visible.

Noticing her irritated expression, Caden remained still. “I’m too exhausted,” he replied.

Alicia furrowed her brow. “What do you mean by that?”

“Feed me,” he said.