Chapter 142

Hank silently vowed to relay the conversation's details to Caden, hoping for a mood boost. After brief pleasantries, they parted.

Alicia was the first to leave the building. Caden, parked nearby, observed her departure, his gaze following her down the street from his car window. She remained oblivious to his scrutiny. He studied her intently.

Though outwardly uninjured, his gait was noticeably altered; he seemed to favor one foot, his steps hesitant and short.

Caden thought sarcastically, "Why didn't she hit her head? Maybe that would make her see reason."

Meanwhile, Hank, needing to bolster his fabricated story, retrieved a box of digestive pills and returned to the car. Caden glanced at him but remained silent.

Hank started the car, and a brief silence ensued. After a moment, Caden remarked, "You came back quickly."

Hank replied, "Yes, Mr. Ward. My long legs help."

The remainder of the drive was silent. Caden stared out the window, his expression unreadable, while Hank periodically glanced at him, unsure if Caden wished to speak. Assuming disinterest, Hank also fell silent.

After what felt like an eternity, Caden broke the silence, frowning. "What happened at the pharmacy?"

Hank lightly shook the pill bag, looking at Caden. "I just picked up the digestive pills, Mr. Ward."

Caden's eyes narrowed. "And what else happened?"

Hank hesitated, then said, "Miss Bennett had some… words about you."

Caden's expression darkened. "What exactly did she say?"

"She said you got what you deserved," Hank replied cautiously.

Caden paused, his face impassive. He inhaled deeply before asking, his voice colder, "Is that all?"

"Yes, that's all she said," Hank confirmed.

Caden relapsed into silence, his thoughts seemingly distant, leaving Hank at a loss.

I'm asking if something else happened, you moron! Caden thought, irritation rising. Your brain seems to shut down after work. Is your mind gathering cobwebs?

Sensing Caden's frustration, Hank ventured, "Mr. Ward, is there something you'd like to talk about?"

In an icy tone, Caden replied, "I am contemplating dispensing with your services."

Hank was stunned. "What have I done?" he wondered, confused.

Annoyed, Caden snapped, "Take us back to the apartment."

Then a thought struck Hank. "Mr. Ward, did you know Miss Bennett visited the Yates mansion yesterday?"

This clearly agitated Caden. Alicia's visit had been weighing heavily on his mind.

"Why do you ask?" Caden asked, his voice strained.

Hank, striving for honesty, explained, "Mrs. Bennett injured her ankle jumping from an upper floor. Mr. Yates tried to restrain her."

Caden's face tightened. "She told you that?"

Hank replied, "Her friend inadvertently revealed it. Mrs. Bennett seems intent on keeping it secret."

The details played in Caden's mind. Recalling his phone call with Joshua the previous night, he'd suspected Alicia's silence hid more. She detested Joshua; how could she have agreed to be with him?

That's why he hadn't ended the call when Joshua hinted at his involvement. Caden had waited for Alicia to say, "Caden, come get me." He would have rushed to her immediately.

But Alicia remained silent. In the morning, she appeared in clean clothes with marks on her neck, yet offered no explanation, even when pressed.

Caden's expression darkened, his face mirroring a pre-storm ocean.

Without further comment, he gave Hank contact information. "Invite this competitor of the Green family to dinner tonight. Treat him well."

Hank noted mentally, "Understood, Mr. Ward."

Caden knew Joshua would likely seek financial support from the Green family, but if they faced their own difficulties, they wouldn't be able to help him. Essentially, Joshua was in for a rough time.

Once upstairs, Caden dialed Alicia's number. She'd just said goodbye to Monica and was returning to her hotel. Her response was curt: "What do you want?"

Caden, in his living room, replied, "When are you going to replace my living room couch?"

Alicia remembered their morning argument; Caden had berated her for staining the sofa, and she'd promised to replace it. She knew commitments should be kept.

"Where did you buy the sofa?" she asked, seeking a solution.

"It's a limited edition. They don't make it anymore," Caden replied flatly.

Alicia gasped, realizing the sofa's exclusivity. She reluctantly replied, "How much did it cost? I'll buy another of equal value."

Caden was adamant: "I want the original."

Alicia struggled to remain calm. "But it's not available anymore, right?"

"That sounds like a personal problem," Caden replied coldly.

Alicia pulled the phone away, muttering a curse. Caden heard every word.

His tone grew colder. "Next time you criticize me, make sure to keep quiet."

Alicia gritted her teeth, thinking, I just wanted to get under your skin.

"So what's your proposal?" she asked, determined to confront him directly.

Caden replied sharply, "Come here and we'll talk face to face."