Chapter 182

Joshua stood stunned, unable to process the situation's gravity. With a livid expression, he demanded, "What exactly do you want?"

Caden casually crossed his legs. “I'm your elder brother, here to help. However, three billion dollars is a significant sum. Your sincerity needs confirmation.”

Joshua recognized this as a deliberate humiliation, orchestrated to degrade him before Alicia. Trapped and unprepared for Caden's overwhelming evidence, he felt helpless.

With a smirk, Caden said, "Can't you swallow your pride? Why don't you ask the Yates or Green families for help?" The words stung. He'd once believed they would support him, but they'd vanished when he needed them most.

Rooted to the spot, fury blazing in his eyes, Joshua felt reduced to a joke. Impatiently, Caden declared, “It's getting late. I’ll call the police.”

This was the ultimatum. Joshua's knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists, roaring, “Caden, what do you want from me?”

Caden's grimace widened. “Do you need me to lend you money?”

Cornered, Joshua faced a terrible choice: endure the insults or face imprisonment. The bitter taste of blood filled his mouth as he forced out, “Yes.”

Caden's smile turned icy. “Alicia has the funds. If you need money, ask her.”

Alicia raised her eyes. Instead of discomfort, satisfaction washed over her. His manipulative pursuit, even after their divorce, had finally caught up with him.

“Three billion dollars is a non-trivial sum, Mr. Yates. Now that you've dared to ask, can you really repay it?” Alicia asked icily.

Joshua could hardly believe his fall from grace in Alicia's eyes. Trying to laugh, he asked, "Are you pleased to see me like this?"

Alicia gave a small, indifferent smile. “Not really.”

Despite his defeat, Joshua's pride remained. "You despise me for my betrayal, but you can't hide that you still care. You once loved me, remember?"

Alicia replied indifferently: "My displeasure stems from the loss I'd incur lending you that money so easily. Mr. Yates, have you ever been slapped?"

Joshua was stunned.

“Do it yourself,” Alice ordered harshly. “Slap yourself until I am satisfied. Then I will consider lending you the money.”

Joshua's eyes filled with rage. "Is this why you've sided with Caden, to humiliate me?" He bellowed, "Alice, remember who stood by you when you were down!"

“Sure, I remember your sweet talk,” Alice replied. “And I haven't forgotten your antics on our anniversary, your involvement in my cyberbullying, and more. Shall we go over the details?”

Joshua sneered. Ignoring her flaws, he sneered, “The deeper the love, the deeper the hate, Alice. Is this your way of showing your frustration at being unable to make me love you?”

Alice felt revulsion. She was about to stand, fist clenched, but Caden held her back, gesturing for someone to approach. “Just a few slaps. If you can’t, I’ll have someone else do it,” he told Joshua.

Caden's bodyguards slapped Joshua repeatedly. Overwhelmed by humiliation and rage, he resisted, but was quickly subdued. Caden watched indifferently, then coldly told Alice: "You decide the number of slaps."

Each slap chipped away at Joshua's pride. Subdued, Alicia lowered her head, instinctively grabbing Caden's arm. Caden raised an eyebrow. “Are you embarrassed?”

Before she could answer, the door burst open. Lilliana, visibly pregnant, entered authoritatively. “Stop this immediately!”

Her presence halted the bodyguards. Blood streamed from Joshua's mouth as he stood defiantly. Lilliana rushed to his side, tears in her eyes. “Joshua, are you okay?”

Alice, having gotten what she wanted, lost interest. She tugged on Caden's arm. “We should get going.”

Caden, gazing at his hand, stroked his fingers tenderly. “Now that you have spoken, when will you send the money?”

With a smirk, Alice looked at the devastated Joshua. “Did I promise to lend it?” she mused. “Oh, yes, I suppose so.” With a shrug, she added, “I’ve reconsidered. I’m not going to lend the money after all.”

She turned and left briskly. Joshua watched, his gaze filled with unspoken fury. Caden subtly positioned himself to shield Alicia from Joshua's view as she walked away.