Chapter 143

Alice scoffed. "I am very dirty. Won't stepping into your apartment ruin your immaculate floors?"

Caden responded with eerie calm: "You could put shoe covers on."

"Even my breath is infectious," she replied.

“Then disinfect,” he replied coldly.

Unable to contain her frustration, Alicia blurted out, “Does my face bother you? Why don't you blindfold yourself?”

“You can just put on a hood,” he suggested dismissively.

Alicia was speechless.

Caden stated nonchalantly, "Send me your address, and I'll send you a car."

Alicia clenched her jaw. "It's not necessary. I'd rather not hear you complain about it getting your car dirty or incurring expenses because it's a limited edition."

For a moment, Caden was speechless.

After the call ended, he stared at the phone, murmuring, “You deserve it.” She was free to limp here. Let him endure the pain.

Alicia hailed a taxi and headed there. Despite his instructions to wear a hood and shoe covers, upon arrival, she defiantly put on her spare sneakers right in front of him.

Caden looked at her indifferently.

Alicia changed her sneakers, apologizing: "Sorry, I got the wrong pair."

Caden coldly commented, "Not even the blind would make such an obvious mistake."

“Mistakes are valuable. I like to make them,” Alicia joked.

"Remarkable," he observed dryly. Then he looked at her ankle. The bruising was slight, not serious.

Alicia was determined to settle the matter quickly. "Just tell me where you bought your couch, and I'll pay extra to secure one you'll accept."

Seeing her urgency, Caden purposely slowed the conversation. He insisted: "I will only accept an identical replacement."

Alicia looked at him intently. The more she looked at him, the more annoying he seemed. He proposed a solution: "I can send you a factory replacement."

"I want it immediately," he insisted.

Alicia's frustration mounted. “Why do you have to be so annoying? It's unbearable.”

Caden paused to drink some water. “Do you have a problem with that? Go ahead and call the police.”

Alicia was speechless. She had often considered involving the police. A few downloads could put him in his place.

After their heated exchange, Caden set his glass aside and instructed her, "Sit on the couch."

Alicia looked at him incredulously. “Why sit? We haven't resolved anything yet.”

“Sit down. I have to examine your foot,” Caden ordered.

Alicia stepped back in surprise. The conversation had taken an unexpected turn, and she instinctively asked, "Why?"

Exhausted by the argument, Caden walked over to pick her up. Alicia crossed her arms defensively, eyeing him warily.

Caden's expression turned stern. “Don't get your hopes up. I have no interest in you right now.” Then he picked her up and placed her on the couch. He proceeded to take off her sneakers and gently held her ankle.

Alicia was so surprised she remained completely still. Confused, she watched silently as he examined her foot.

Looking down, hiding his feelings, he asked, "Why didn't you tell me this morning when I asked you?"

Realizing Hank must have informed her, Alicia felt a constriction in her chest. “Did you even give me a chance to explain it to you?”

Caden responded flatly, "Didn't I ask you?"

She felt suffocated by his accusation. Remembering the smell of his coat, Alice replied coldly: "Would you have believed me if I had told you? Haven't you already made your decisions about me? What matters to you? Why should I tell you?"

Caden's frustration grew. His behavior reminded her of Ciara's pampered cat. The cat, aware of its favored status, acted without caution. It once destroyed a prized tea set belonging to Ciara.

Caden had disciplined the cat by grabbing it by the neck. However, on each subsequent visit, the cat would feign affection only to jump on his face the moment he extended his hand. The only difference between Alice and that cat was their malice. She didn't even bother to feign affection.

His nature was spiteful and malicious.

"What a spiteful person who can't be tamed," Caden commented coldly.

Alicia pursed her lips and quickly withdrew her foot. "Who are you to tame me?"

“Did I mean you?” Caden replied softly. "I was referring to my grandmother's pet," he clarified.

Alice was taken aback. She felt like Caden was mocking her.

Unable to let him have the last word, she crossed a line by brushing her dirty foot against his pants leg. Caden was momentarily taken aback. "Your flirting tactics are as unsuccessful as ever," he commented.

Alicia responded with a forced smile: “Thank you. I'm just trying to repel you.”

Caden looked at her delicate toes. He briefly grabbed her ankle and then let go.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door. Caden had ordered an herbal oil online to treat bruises, which he had just received. Alicia's confusion increased when she saw the oil. Why was he suddenly treating her kindly?