Chapter 126

Alicia exited, offering an awkward smile. She scratched her forehead and gestured toward the bathroom. "I was washing my hands."

Caden and Hank remained silent. The silence unsettled her, so she added, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was just leaving when I heard you talking."

Caden stared at her, causing her chest to tighten. She quickly backtracked. "Actually, I didn't hear anything at all." Her unconvincing words nearly elicited laughter, only deepening Caden's frown.

Caden turned, giving Hank a cold look that made him visibly shudder.

He hurried to Alicia. "You have the wrong idea, Miss Bennett. It's not what you think."

Alicia looked confused. "What are you talking about? I didn't hear anything."

Caden inhaled deeply. His voice was frigid. "Get out."

Hank, anticipating this, quickly left. Alicia, sensing Caden's rising anger, began to follow.

"Not you," Caden said coldly.

Dread washed over Alicia, halting her. The door closed behind Hank, leaving her alone with Caden. She silently searched for a place to sit.

To ease the tension, she spoke. "I just arrived. I didn't see you, so I went to the bathroom. Then you appeared. I didn't intend to eavesdrop; I just heard you talking near the door. I assumed it was work-related and didn't interrupt. I couldn't hear much—just muffled voices, nothing significant."

She looked at Caden, trying to gauge his reaction. He seemed even angrier.

"You might want to look in the mirror," he said. "You're making faces."

Surprised, she wondered if her lie was that obvious. He quickly covered his lips. Realizing the poor construction of her lie, she decided on honesty.

"Look, don't worry. You're still young; everything can be treated."

Caden's frustration intensified. Hank had already filled his ears with nonsense, and now Alicia was doing the same. His regretful tone only worsened the situation.

"You don't know if I have health problems?" she asked flatly. "I've never slept with Hank. But I have slept with you, haven't I?"

Without thinking, she replied, "But you didn't exactly finish the last few times."

Caden was speechless.

Her voice softened. "I thought you were being considerate, but now I wonder if it was because you couldn't."

This was Caden's breaking point. "Last time, your wrist hurt when we broke up. Really? Do you think I'm powerless?" he said, barely controlling his frustration.

Alicia's eyes widened.

"You lasted a long time last time. Was that a side effect of the medication?" she asked. Again, Caden was speechless.

Unable to contain his anger, he pulled her closer, pushing her toward the desk. With a swift movement, he unzipped her clothes, exposing her skin. Realizing his seriousness, Alicia panicked.

"Hey, wait…"

Before she could finish, he kissed her, silencing her. She kicked him in resistance, but he grabbed her ankles, wrapping her legs around his waist.

Soon, her resistance weakened. She pushed him gently. "Caden, stop. I need to… tell you…"

Pulling at her hair, she gasped for breath. "Let me go! I have something important to tell you."

Caden, consumed by desire and anger, held her tightly. "Do you really think talking is more important than finishing what we've started?"

"Have we started yet?" Alicia gasped, shaking her head. "No! I need to talk to you about Lilliana's assistant."

Caden frowned, frustrated. "What's wrong with her?" Pinned beneath him, Alicia struggled to breathe. "Let me go…" she gasped.

His chest rose and fell as he caught his breath. The sight of her breasts only further excited him. Without gentleness, he bit her neck.

A small involuntary cry escaped her lips, filling her with anger and shame. She punched him.

"What are you, a dog?" she snapped, feeling a burning pain in her chest.

He pulled her closer as he sat in the chair, leaving her disoriented. Alicia blushed, attempting to straighten her clothes, but he pulled at them again, his eyes dark with lust. "Say what you have to say while I watch," he said. Alicia glared. "Didn't you say they were small?"

"What's worth looking at anyway?"

Caden admired her breasts. "They're a nice shape." Alicia snorted.

He buttoned his clothes tightly. "Obviously. Anyone looking at them would think so." Caden looked up. "Including Joshua?"