Chapter 168
Alice dared not refuse him. After a passionate encounter, he held her close, carrying her upstairs. The apartment was newly renovated, though Alicia hadn't been there in some time. Entering their room, her gaze fell upon a floor-to-ceiling mirror in the living room. Dazed by their intimacy, she blinked, confused.
"Why is there a mirror there?" she asked. The wardrobe already held numerous mirrors; this one seemed excessively large and out of place.
Instead of answering, he led her to it. Actions, after all, spoke louder than words. Though he'd already been satisfied, his desire remained. Indeed, he felt even more aroused. The atmosphere thickened, charged with unspoken hunger.
He poured red wine, taking a slow sip before letting the remainder cascade down her skin. The cool liquid flowed like silk.
Alicia gasped, a shiver tracing her spine.
“Too cold?” he purred, his voice thick with desire. His lips brushed her collarbone as he licked the wine from her skin, igniting sparks within her.
Alice shook her head, breathless. “No…just ticklish,” she whispered. The wine, combined with his kisses, was almost overwhelming. Her knees buckled; she could barely stand. She wanted to pull away, yet her body craved more. Her heart beat in rhythm with each caress.
He ensured not a drop of wine was wasted, leaving her body glistening.
“Do you like the mirror?” Caden asked, mischief in his voice, as he watched her surrender. Alicia remained silent, her lips parted.
I couldn't answer, not like that.
“I like it,” he murmured, a playful glint in his eyes. “It reflects everything…so clearly.”
Alicia's frustration mounted, her nerves frayed by the intensity.
Without a word, Caden effortlessly lifted her and carried her to the bedroom. His breath warmed her ear as he whispered, “I have many more surprises for you, and I will show them all to you, one by one.”
In the bathroom, the sink was lowered for her comfort, and a grab bar was installed in the shower.
After what felt like an eternity in the steamy bathroom, Alice collapsed onto the bed, exhausted. Opening her eyes, she recoiled at the sight above her.
"Caden, you pervert!" she exclaimed, burying her face in the pillow. Another mirror, this time on the ceiling. Heat flooded her cheeks; she closed her eyes, unable to face it.
Caden, however, seemed delighted, his smile widening. He was far from finished. Something about her drove him to unexplored heights.
Their passion inadvertently triggered the smart bed's security system. An alarm blared, a red infrared beam sweeping over them.
“Warning: Potential danger detected,” the AI system announced in a mechanical voice. “Mr. Ward, do you need me to call the authorities?”
Alice stifled a giggle, barely controlling herself. Even Caden chuckled, though he tried to suppress it while clinging to Alicia's warmth.
“Shut up,” he ordered, attempting to salvage his dignity. “Don't you dare say another word.”
"Mr. Ward, your voice sounds strained. Do you need help?"
Grumbling, Caden muttered, “What a useless system… Don't you see? I’m just… having fun.”
The AI paused, processing his statement. “I'm sorry, Mr. Ward. I don’t understand.”
Caden was speechless, his frustration growing as Alicia's giggles escalated into laughter. She collapsed onto the mattress, gasping for air.
He quickly grabbed her ankles, playfully slapping her buttocks. “What are you laughing at? And who said you could let go?”
"Mr. Ward, please clarify what you mean by 'let go,'" the system interjected.
Caden groaned, shaking his head. Alice was breathless, gasping between uncontrollable giggles: “I… I’m dying…”
The AI, registering the trigger words, responded: “Understood. Initiating emergency call.”
Unable to contain herself, Alice erupted in laughter, grating on Caden's nerves. Already agitated, he glared at her before manually shutting down the system.
Silence descended. “Finally,” he muttered, regaining his focus. “I’ll have someone take it down tomorrow.”
That night, Alicia asleep, Caden saw two missed calls. The familiar number clenched his jaw, instantly extinguishing his desire. He called back.
“Uncle Blake,” he greeted.
Blake Langstaff's voice was firm and direct. "The Moss family is willing to negotiate."
Caden wasn't surprised. Leaning against the railing, he scanned the night.
“What were your conditions?” he asked, calm and collected.
“No conditions. They simply asked when you'd be available to meet them in Devarlton,” Blake replied. After a pause, he added, “Remember Yolanda?”
Caden frowned. The name triggered a distant memory. A flash of recognition hit him. “Yolanda Moss? The youngest daughter?” he murmured.
“Exactly. You met her once when you were five. There was some joke about marrying her back then.”
Caden felt a lump in his throat. He lit a scented candle Alicia had made, its familiar scent filling the air, calming, like her presence. She’d grown used to falling asleep to it.
“We were kids,” he said, indifferently. “That joke means nothing now.”
Blake's tone became more measured. "Maybe for you. But her father, Dorian Moss, has always liked you. He's been getting close to Ciara."
Caden twirled the lighter, his eyes distant. “I respect a man’s preferences, but I don’t like men.”
Blake sighed. “Come on, be serious. He wants you as his son-in-law.”
A ghost of a smile touched Caden's lips. “I don't like women either.”
Blake got to the point. “What if the deal is contingent on you marrying Yolanda?”