Chapter 170

Caden was momentarily speechless. He looked at Alice and asked, "What are those?"

Alice retrieved a pair of black pants from a drawer. "These," she said, holding them up. "I bought them last week. It's going to snow soon, and it's freezing cold. You're often outdoors, and I figured you wouldn't want any lingering cold-induced aches and pains."

Caden examined the pants, disgust evident on his face. "Thanks, but no," he said, starting to walk away. "I'm not going to freeze."

Alice gently took his arm. "Age isn't on your side, and style won't keep you warm. These are light, they don't bulk up. You'll look like you're wearing nothing, but they're incredibly warm."

Caden stepped back. "I can't use these. Get rid of them."

Alice pointed to the dog outside. "Why not repurpose them into warm belly bands for him?"

Alice smiled. "He already has his clothes. You have to put yours on."

"Try them on. Don't be so stubborn," she insisted, as Caden continued to refuse. Noticing his disdain, she added, "I've already removed the tags, so they're not returnable. I can't just leave them unused, can I? They cost several thousand dollars each."

Caden shrugged. "Do what you want with them."

Alice pondered for a moment. "What if you give them to Hank? He's always outside, so he must be cold."

Caden remained unimpressed. "I wouldn't wear them."

"How do you know? Hank isn't as picky as you are."

"He has a lot of hair on his legs. They would itch him."

Alice was silent for a moment, then suggested, "Then let's give them to Mr. Hopkins."

Caden shrugged. "Gerry doesn't want secondhand goods."

"They've never been worn," Alice replied with a smile.

"Once the tags are removed, they are considered secondhand," Caden insisted, his brow furrowing. "And really, who would appreciate long johns as a gift?"

"Not everyone is as fussy as you," she replied. "Do you think they're going to wear them over their pants or something?"

Determined, Alice decided if Hank and Gerry didn't want them, she would find another plan. She went to get a bag. "I actually bought two pairs: one for Hank and one for Mr. Hopkins. If you're free today, you could deliver them."

Caden was momentarily speechless. He couldn't understand Alice's persistence or why it bothered her so much.

Just as Alice was about to pack the pants, Caden snatched them away. "I'll check their quality first," he said.

Alice's lips twitched. What was going through her head? She was so unpredictable.

Without warning, Caden pulled on his boxers in front of her. His long legs and well-defined muscles filled them out perfectly, but the crotch ripped under the strain.

Alice, familiar with the sight, marveled. "What have you eaten to grow like this? It's like you've mutated."

Caden, amused, scoffed. "You didn't seem to care about enjoying yourself."

Alice was speechless, rubbing her chin as she gazed at him. Caden raised an eyebrow. "Can you see clearly? Do you need me to take them off so you can see better?"

She replied with a mocking smile: "Why don't you become a hitman? If you put a gun in your pants, the bodyguards would never find it."

Caden was speechless. He knew he would have to find a way to silence her someday.

He had also removed some leg hair, and this was his first experience with long johns. They soon began to itch. Restlessly, he shifted in his office chair.

Caden's behavior kept everyone at a distance. When Hank walked in, he noticed Caden frowning and adjusting his tie, clearly frustrated.

Hank was puzzled. "Mr. Ward, are you getting overheated?"

Caden replied briskly, "Open the window. I need some fresh air."

Hank hesitated, glancing at the weather. "It's raining and it's pretty cold. Maybe I should turn down the air conditioning."

Caden's chest rose slightly. "I'm not warm. I feel restricted," he said impatiently. "Just open the window."

Recognizing Caden's firm tone, Hank reluctantly complied. The wind blew in as soon as the window opened.

Hank asked worriedly, "Mr. Ward, what makes you feel restricted? Is it your clothes?"

Caden remained silent, his frustration mounting.

Switching to business, Hank continued, "Mr. Ward, we have to leave at ten to meet Mr. Wade from the art show." Mr. Wade was the anonymous buyer of Joshua's painting. The exhibition was imminent, and Joshua would be there to finalize the contract and the remaining payment of $150 million.

Caden grabbed his coat. "Let's go."

As they exited the building, the strong wind and rain hit them. Despite the short walk, the cold was biting. Hank held an umbrella over Caden.

However, Caden wasn't bothered by the cold. He pushed the umbrella away. "Don't worry about me. I'm not cold."