Chapter 11: Embarrassing?!

Alicia ignored Caden's hostility, opening the door and leaving without a word. Hank appeared immediately. "Mr. Ward, should I drive Ms. Bennett home?"

Caden's expression was colder than usual. "That won't be necessary. She can find her own way."

Hank blinked, unsure how to respond. Alicia, however, didn't leave. She went downstairs for coffee and desserts, then knocked on Hank's office door.

"Ms. Bennett," Hank exclaimed, surprised. "Can I help you?"

Alicia placed the treats and coffee on his desk with a gentle smile. "Please give these to Mr. Ward. I wanted to apologize."

Hank was visibly startled. He hesitated. "I'm sorry, Ms. Bennett," he said politely, "but Mr. Ward only drinks coffee from freshly ground beans from the company pantry."

Alicia's eyes fell. "That's fine. I just wanted to apologize to Caden." As she withdrew her hand, she knocked over the coffee, spilling it on Hank's desk.

Startled, she quickly grabbed her handkerchief and attempted to dry his laptop. Hank remained calm. "It's alright, Ms. Bennett. My laptop is waterproof. Let me handle it."

Alicia continued wiping, meticulously checking every corner. Hank finished cleaning his desk and found her still working on his laptop. "You don't need to worry, Ms. Bennett. It's fine."

She sighed. "Well, that's a relief. I'm really sorry. May I buy you a fresh cup?"

"No need at all, Ms. Bennett."

Alicia said goodbye, gave a sheepish smile, and left. Watching her go, Hank felt a sliver of unease. Before he could consider it further, it was time for the meeting.

Caden sat at the head of the conference table, the picture of sophisticated authority. His presence was always intimidating during business meetings.

Hank began his presentation, plugging in his USB drive. The screen flickered, went black, then suddenly lit up again—displaying a high-definition photo of male genitalia.

Dead silence fell. The screen showed nothing else. Caden's face darkened.

Terrified, Hank tried to shut down the laptop, but it was frozen. Caden's Adam's apple bobbed. "Shut off the projector," he barked. "Your laptop is infected."

Hank frantically disconnected the projector. A heavy silence followed, punctuated by Caden's forbidding energy. A storm raged beneath his icy exterior.

Before Hank could speak, Caden stood. "Today's meeting is adjourned." He left, Hank close behind.

At Caden's office, Hank opened the door, but Caden stopped. "Care to explain yourself?"

Normally, Hank would have investigated the virus. Today, he was unusually quiet. He straightened, eyes on the floor. "It was Ms. Bennett."

The hallway seemed to grow colder. "I know it was Alicia, but how?"

Hank's head snapped up. "How did you know?"

Caden's thoughts: Because those were my crown jewels paraded before my subordinates! I've only slept with Alicia, and we were intimate in my office earlier. She hadn't blindfolded him for a romp; she'd photographed him at his most vulnerable.

"Ms. Bennett brought coffee and pastries. She spilled coffee on my computer. I was concerned she might have tampered with the food..." Hank hadn't considered she'd upload a photo.

Caden grabbed a bottle of water. Hank followed cautiously. "Should I send for Ms. Bennett, Mr. Ward?"

Caden gritted his teeth. "No need."

Hank saw Caden's rage, yet a lack of intent to pursue the matter. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Ms. Bennett is so gentle. I had no idea..."

Caden slammed the water bottle down.

"Mr. Ward," Hank continued, "who... who was that?"

Caden's eyes twitched, but he remained silent. Hank, shuddering, pressed on. "Was it you, Mr. Ward?"

"No," Caden replied flatly.

Hank relaxed. "Of course not. You couldn't possibly..."

Caden's fury reignited. He recalled Alicia's brief touch earlier. His body's reaction had been intense, and the memory was utterly humiliating.