Chapter 190

“If Caden is so powerful and influential, why would he bother fighting for his share of the Yates family inheritance?” Lilliana retorted.

“What if the Ward family is more powerful than we think?” Cedric replied.

“Exactly! Wouldn’t he stay with the Wards and enjoy his success? He’s spent a fortune dealing with Joshua. What’s so special about Alicia? Why is he doing so much for her?” Lilliana snorted.

A phone call interrupted them. It was Lilliana's former agent.

“Lilliana!” a female voice exclaimed. “Something big happened! The accounts we used to attack Alicia on social media are suspended. Someone took over. We can’t contact anyone.”

Lilliana frowned. “Any idea who?”

“No,” the agent replied anxiously. “We're being investigated. We’ll likely be sued. Someone also posted recordings of your encounters with Joshua in hotels—while he was married to Alicia. Netizens are calling you his mistress.”

Lilliana was furious. It had to be Alicia! That woman was systematically ruining them.

Cedric, realizing the gravity of the situation, was even angrier. “What have you done to that woman?” he demanded.

Lilliana hung up, throwing the phone down. “She deserved it! I just put her in her place! How was I supposed to know this would happen?”

She turned to her father, her tone changing instantly. “You have to help me, Dad!”

Cedric sighed, overwhelmed. Finally, he said sternly, “I’ll help, but you must promise to quit the entertainment industry and behave. We understand each other?”

Lilliana vigorously agreed, desperate for a solution.

Cedric stomped away, still smoking. Lilliana left shortly after seeing Joshua. The situation demanded immediate action.

“It doesn’t matter how much money we have, Joshua. We can’t afford this scandal. We have to stop it before it gets worse,” Lilliana said, her eyes gleaming. “We’ll have to get rid of Alicia. We can’t waste any more time.”

Countless cigarette butts lay at Joshua’s feet. He exhaled, his face contorted with hatred. “I know what I have to do.”

Meanwhile, Caden arrived at the Joy Mansion. He’d promised Ciara dinner. As he left the garage, his phone buzzed.

“News about the suspect, Mr. Ward. Jerald orchestrated it all.”

Caden brushed snow from his shoulders, a sneer playing on his lips. His own father. He wasn’t surprised. “No need to watch him. He won’t cause real trouble.”

“Understood, Mr. Ward.”

Caden gave further instructions before hanging up.

The mansion was brightly lit. Ciara sat gracefully, elegant and warm. Seeing Caden enter alone, she shifted in her seat.

“Why are you alone?” he asked calmly.

Caden removed his coat. “I worked late, so I sent Hank home.”

Ciara gave him a dry look. He was becoming more talkative and cunning. Since he wouldn’t discuss his love life, she let it go. Concerned about his hunger, she ordered dinner.

She’d brought a trusted maid with exceptional culinary skills. Each dish was tailored to Caden’s tastes.

However, Caden found the food mediocre. The soup lacked flavor, and the stir-fry was undercooked.

“Had a checkup recently?” Ciara asked. “What were the results?”

Caden realized he’d neglected his checkups since living with Alicia. Ciara, however, was constantly worried. Seeing he hadn’t brought a woman home, she wanted to ease her mind.

“I’ll go tomorrow,” he said.

“Send me the results,” Ciara replied. “I’d like to see them.”

“OK.”

Silence fell. When Ciara realized Caden wouldn’t volunteer information, she probed.

“Heard from Yolanda? She mentioned coming to Warrington in a few days.”

“Warrington’s cold this time of year,” Caden replied noncommittally. “What’s your hurry?”

Ciara’s eyes narrowed. “Is that because you’re worried about her, or because you don’t want her to come?”

Caden placed fish on his plate without answering. Ciara waited, but he ignored her question.

Caden had initially sought help from the Moss family because Dorian Moss had been involved in a secret project. Though initially successful, it was shut down because it threatened the social order. Caden desperately needed the project's knowledge and experience. After years of searching, he found Dorian, the only surviving member. He proposed a deal.

They offered their help without asking for anything in return.

Caden was surprised when Dorian refused a personal meeting, sending Yolanda instead—a woman he’d trained for over a decade.

“Yolanda is smarter than me and wants to explore the world. I trust my daughter to you, Caden. Take good care of her,” Dorian had said.