Chapter 147

Alicia’s knees buckled at the number. “Caden, you shameless bastard!” she exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration and disbelief.

Caden, unfazed, chuckled softly. He thought her behavior rather childish for someone her age. Leaning back in his chair, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “What an insult. You must be very angry. Hmm, how about twenty-eight times then?”

Alice’s eyes narrowed, her stubbornness firming her resolve. "Eleven times," she replied, her tone unwavering.

“Is that your final offer?” Caden mocked, a mischievous grin spreading across his lips. “A few more insults, and I might consider coming down.”

"So, eleven times?" she pressed.

He clicked his tongue in disappointment. “Did I say I was going to listen to you?” His gaze sharpened as he calculated. “Let’s see, twenty-eight times less your period equals an average of two times a day.”

Alice was speechless, unable to comprehend his absurd logic. Caden, however, seemed to relish her frustration. Leaning closer, his voice dripped with playful menace. “So, morning and night, or both at night? I’m flexible.”

Alice could take no more. “Okay!” she finally conceded, lacking the energy to continue the fight. “Twelve times, okay?”

Caden, amused by her negotiation attempts, ceased his game. “Fifteen times, plus three meals a day.”

Alice’s murderous glare could have incinerated him. "You add five times more and expect me to cook? Not in your wildest dreams!"

"Okay. No cooking then." Caden shrugged, offering a petulant alternative. “But that still means five times as much in bed.”

Alice sighed in resignation. "Caden, aren't you afraid I'll cut you if you push me too hard?"

Amusement danced in his eyes. “Well, the knives at home aren't sharp enough. You'll probably need a chainsaw. They sell them downstairs, but it’s closed now.”

Alice’s lips pursed in a mixture of fury and helplessness. It was impossible. He knew he was losing this ridiculous negotiation, but swallowing his pride was out of the question.

“I swore you’d never taste my food again,” he began.

Caden raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening. “So, five more times in bed?”

His silence hung heavy with tension. Finally, Alice sighed, defeated, and reluctantly refused. Caden, satisfied, finalized his “agreement.” Alicia’s hands hovered over the keyboard, clenching as she fought the urge to scream.

Caden’s expression softened slightly. "I want you to apologize," she demanded, her voice low but firm. She wanted at least a show of remorse.

But Caden wouldn't yield so easily. He pushed her hand away. “I don't expect you to forgive me. This agreement says we’ll have sex, and we will. Afterward, we can fight again.”

Alice’s heart sank. She wouldn’t let him win, but deep down, she knew she couldn't defeat him. She pressed the keyboard, refusing to let him type.

His eyes darkened. “Alicia,” he said coldly, his earlier joviality gone, replaced by something far more ruthless. He was a cold-blooded snake; his presence sent shivers down her spine.

Alice pulled her hand away, her eyes burning. “Before this agreement ends, any mistake will have consequences.”

Caden seemed unconcerned. "And what consequences might those be?"

She bit out each word. “A public apology online, chemical castration, and a ten-billion-dollar payment to the other party.”

Caden’s expression finally faltered. Chemical castration? A sudden chill ran down her spine; she felt a phantom pain, an uneasiness creeping under her skin.

Five days had passed. Excluding her period, and considering their one encounter, that left an average of once a day for the rest of the month. Alicia tried to avoid him, but Caden was in no hurry. She could only evade him for so long.

The next night, her phone rang. It was Caden. She hesitated, then answered, still simmering with anger. “What do you want?” she asked, her voice sharp.

Caden’s tone was cold and direct. “Don't you want what Randolph gave me?”

Her irritation vanished, replaced by curiosity. "Of course I want it."

“Then come to my office.”

Relief washed over her; at least he wasn't summoning her to the apartment. She wasted no time hurrying over.

Upon arrival, she encountered Hank, leaving work. A wide smile lit his face. "Mr. Ward is in his office," he said cheerfully.

Alice smiled back. "What's got you in such a good mood?"

Hank chuckled. “I got off early. Meeting an old friend for dinner.”

Alicia gave him a thumbs-up, noting the eerie quiet of the building—no employees, no activity. It was still early, yet deserted. But her smile vanished upon entering Caden's office.

The sound of running water—Caden was showering. A sinking feeling settled in her chest. This wasn't a simple business meeting. Coming to the office had been her plan all along. He lured her into the bathroom. His true intentions were evident in the wicked glint in his eyes.

The large office, surrounded by glass windows overlooking the city, offered privacy. Alicia found herself pressed against the cold glass, her fingers digging into Caden’s neck as her breathing grew ragged. Her lips, swollen from his kisses, pressed against his wet shoulders, muffling her surrender.

She felt completely undone by him; his touch had changed, sharper, more intense. His hands, his lips… they knew exactly how to break her. When it ended, Alice’s nails showed evidence of her struggle—blood streaked Caden’s back, chest, and neck, traces of her feeble attempts to push him away.

Reality hit her; this would be her life for the rest of the month. Tears filled her eyes. “I'll cook… I'll cook, okay? Just cancel those five times, Caden, please…” She sobbed, her voice shaking.

Caden cupped her tear-stained face, his lips brushing her cheeks. He kissed her softly, tasting her tears, then chuckled, teasing her as he swallowed her sadness.