Chapter 19

The sleek black car pulled up before the old apartment complex. Alicia exited without looking back, her heels clicking softly on the pavement as she walked away. Inside, Hank watched her go.

With a wry smile, he broke the silence. “Mr. Ward, you like Miss Bennett, don’t you?”

Caden’s face remained impassive. "Have you been drinking? What's this nonsense?"

Hank cleared his throat, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. “But if you didn't like her, why did you kiss her?”

A slight crease appeared between Caden’s brows as he glanced at Hank in the rearview mirror. “If the moment called for it, I could kiss anyone, even you.”

Hank blinked, startled. “Huh?”

Caden, ignoring Hank’s confusion, looked at the weathered building. It was old, not dilapidated, but far from comfortable, with peeling paint and aged windows. Compared to Joshua’s luxurious villa, it was a stark contrast, a world away from the life Alicia had known. She had left with nothing but her pride; this apartment was a bitter reminder. Typical Joshua. He never left anything for those he discarded.

Leaning back, Caden’s fingers drummed on the armrest. His expression was cold and distant. “Let’s go.”

At the hospital, Lilliana lay in bed, stiff with worry. Her hands rested on her small belly; her breathing was labored, and she barely dared to move. Fear for the baby consumed her. Joshua hovered nearby, attentive and obedient. He catered to her every whim, ensuring the press remained unaware of their location. Every detail was meticulously managed; no photographs could leak.

As evening fell, fatigue weighed heavily upon him. He exhaled slowly, finding a fleeting moment of peace, though it was far from restful. Lilliana, her earlier anger softened by his efforts, still refused to meet his gaze.

The tension between them persisted until Joshua gently coaxed her. Slowly, she allowed him to hold her, though a shadow of apprehension remained in her eyes.

"If you yell at me like that again," he muttered, his voice low but firm, "I'm leaving you."

Joshua fell silent, his gaze contemplative. A soft ring from his phone broke the silence. He shifted, avoiding Lilliana’s curious gaze as he checked the message.

“Mr. Yates, Mr. Ward dropped Ms. Yates off at the apartment complex and left shortly after. We have maintained close surveillance throughout the night and no one else has entered Ms. Yates’ home.”

Without a word, Joshua deleted the message, his expression unreadable.

When Lilliana was discharged, the first thing she heard was news about the theme song contest.

“Alice?” he muttered, his eyebrows furrowing. Had he heard correctly? A sneer touched his lips. “Do you want to compete with me?”

Gerry, smiling, nodded. “Yes, that’s right. Alicia, Joshua’s wife.”

Lilliana’s expression hardened, her nails digging into her palm. “They’re already divorced.”

“Really?” Gerry arched an eyebrow. “I hadn’t heard. I thought you were still keeping your marriage a secret.”

The comment irritated Lilliana, making her wonder if Gerry harbored a grudge. She dismissed the thought as her imagination.

“I don’t care if Alicia competes,” he said dismissively. “Rest assured, Mr. Hopkins, I won’t let you down.”

Gerry laughed. “Oh, I’m betting on Alice,” he said casually, yet pointedly.

Lilliana’s smile faltered. “But don’t take it too hard,” she added with a chuckle. “Caden supports you. I’m just doing it for the thrill of the challenge.”

Internally, Lilliana scoffed at Gerry’s apparent lack of taste. Alice? Really?

As soon as she left, she called Joshua.

“Can you still locate that composer, Iris?” she asked forcefully.

Joshua, preoccupied, replied, “Who is…?”

“The artist who wrote my song last year,” Lilliana blurted, lowering her voice. “You know, the ghostwriter. Find her for me. I need another song.”

Joshua barely looked up. “You’re working with Caden now,” he replied flatly. “Don’t cheat; you’ll get caught.”

“But I’m in a competition!” Lilliana’s eyes flashed. “I’m competing against Alicia. I have to completely outshine her.” Beneath her bravado, however, was a trace of unease. Her recent fame had been rapid, but her new songs lacked the spark that had propelled her to stardom. She needed to crush Alicia, but composing her own music was impossible.

Joshua hesitated, Alicia’s name making him pause. He turned his attention away from his work.

“What do you mean, ‘compete with you’?” he asked slowly, his voice tight with curiosity. “Why would she do that?”

“Why else?” Lilliana sneered. “She’s jealous of me, overestimating herself, as usual.”

Joshua stared into space. Was Alicia targeting Lilliana because of him?

“Okay, I’ll find Iris for you,” Joshua said, adopting a cheerful tone. “But no more ‘ghost singing.’ If you get caught, Caden will destroy you.”

“As you wish,” Lilliana rolled her eyes.

Joshua looked up Iris’s contact information. He offered the same rate as last year, confident she would accept.

But Iris’s response was swift and forceful. “It’s been a long time. My rates have changed.”

“Then name your price.”

“Five million.”

Joshua’s eyes widened. “Last year, you only made three hundred thousand!”

“Do you want my services or not?”

His jaw tightened. Spending that much on Lilliana’s behalf wasn’t part of the plan. Irritated, he called to Lilliana, his tone impatient. “You’ll have to write the song yourself.”

“I haven’t written in ages,” she stammered, nervously tugging at her sleeve. “I’m out of practice, and my voice isn’t what it used to be. Five million is fine, but she has to sing it to me. Like last year.”

Joshua’s lips curved into a mocking smile. “Lilliana, why are you so afraid of Alicia?”