Chapter 140

Feeling encouraged by her conversation with Gina, Alice chose to dine with Monica instead of Gina, given the unusual circumstances. She arranged a lavish spread on the table.

As Monica settled, she asked, "Are we alone?"

Alice, picking at her food, replied, "Yes, just the two of us."

Monica, surveying the table, was perplexed. "Is all this really just for...?"

"It's a celebration," Alice explained, briefly recounting her recent separation from Joshua. "I don't have to go to the Yates mansion or maintain appearances anymore. I can do whatever I want now." She raised her glass of milk in a toast. "Gina has also offered her support."

Monica understood and agreed they had reason to celebrate. "Yet you seem depressed. What's wrong?" Monica gently touched Alice's forehead.

Alice smiled faintly. "No, I'm fine. I'm just very hungry."

But in truth, Alice felt gloomy. The events at the Yates mansion the previous day had left her scared and worried about their rash actions. After treating her foot wound, she had tried to talk to Caden, but his indifference had hurt her.

Eating quietly, Alice turned to Monica. "Monica, are you coming with me afterward?"

Alice had enrolled in a wrestling class, and Monica was fully supportive. They had chosen a qualified instructor and signed up for several self-defense sessions. They were now dressed in their training clothes, ready to begin.

Monica, noticing Alice's distress, attributed it to recent stress. "Imagine Joshua as a punching bag. Hit him hard to release your anger. You'll feel better afterward."

Alice considered this a useful outlet. Monica grabbed a pen and paper, wrote Joshua's name, and handed it to Alice. After a moment, Alice added Caden's name on a separate piece of paper, placing it on top.

"We're going to beat them both up," Alice declared.

Visualizing the papers as Caden's face, she threw a powerful punch. The blow was so forceful that Monica trembled. At that very moment, Caden felt an unexpected chill in his office.

He looked outside; the sky had darkened. Hank knocked.

"Mr. Ward, haven't you eaten anything today?" Hank asked, aware of Caden's demanding day and his temper, but knowing he needed to eat.

Caden, suppressing his displeasure, asked Hank to make a dinner reservation.

Sensing a shift, Hank cautiously inquired, "Mr. Ward, has there been any disagreement with Miss Bennett?"

Caden replied flatly, "Why would I argue with her?"

"You haven't been home lately, and you seem… off. Who else but Miss Bennett could be causing this?" Hank ventured. "Did one of you make a mistake?"

Caden quickly changed the subject. "How's the task I gave you progressing?"

"Everything's fine," Hank assured him.

Caden had instructed Hank to contact Randolph and unravel Joshua's bank finances, as Joshua was preparing an IPO and urgently needed funds. Randolph's interference had delayed several plans.

Hank couldn't resist gloating. "The Yates family must be in turmoil."

Caden showed little interest, viewing it as another completed task.

"There's a bigger surprise coming," he murmured, hinting at Alice's orchestrated shock.

Thinking of Alice, Caden felt a surge of excitement, almost like a teenage crush.

Just as they arrived at the restaurant, Joshua called.

"What's going on, Joshua?" Caden asked.

"You're quite the tactician, Caden," Joshua's voice was menacing.

Laughing, Caden replied, "What's the problem? Just a liquidity problem, right? Does that confuse you?" Their rivalry was palpable.

Joshua, with no recourse, resigned himself, but he had another question.

"Is the timing of your move due to Alicia?"