Chapter 212:

Alicia hadn't expected him to take the matter so seriously; for a moment, she was speechless. If he refused her simple apology, what did he want? A meal? Some other form of compensation? It didn't seem like Caden's style.

His deep, soft voice cut through the silence. “Are you really sorry?” Even over the phone, the weight of his tone sent a chill through her. She felt dizzy, as if on the edge of an unseen trap.

"Yes," she replied hesitantly. "But… even if I didn’t like you, it wouldn’t affect you, right?" Shouldn't a verbal apology suffice?

Caden chuckled, a sound devoid of amusement. “You say you’re sorry, but you back out so quickly.”

Alice remained silent. Guilt gnawed at her, but pride compelled her to prove her sincerity. “So… how do you want me to prove how sorry I am?”

His mockery echoed in her ear, making her shudder. “Don’t you know that already?”

Alice froze. In that instant, she understood. Her first instinct was to hang up. But Caden, calm as ever, added, “I won’t force you. You don’t have to be so scared of me.”

“Who says I’m afraid of you?” she snapped, though her voice betrayed her tremor.

“Even your breathing has changed.”

Exposed, she instinctively held her breath, but his silence only intensified the pressure. Caden, cutting to the chase, said, “You don’t have to come to me. Just give me an hour of your precious time and stay on the phone.”

His stomach twisted. It was a trap, and she'd fallen right into it. Although they had been intimate before, this was their first phone sex experience. Caden took the lead, guiding her into something far more intimate. His control was absolute, leaving no room for shame.

Halfway through, Caden broke the rhythm. “Answer three questions, and I’ll shorten the call by twenty minutes.”

Alice, reeling from the intensity, fell silent. She could barely think straight. But somehow, her jumbled thoughts told her answering wouldn't hurt.

“Go ahead…” he murmured softly. Hearing her tender voice, Caden's arousal intensified. His tone deepened, rough and low. “Now that we’re apart… do you miss me?”

Alice's mind wandered, her pulse quickening. How could he ask such a brazen question? She took a ragged breath, feeling like a gasping fish. She knew he wouldn't believe her, but she refused to admit the truth.

"No."

Caden wasn't looking for honesty. He wanted to play, and his knowing chuckle made that clear. “Second question: At the bar that night, did you enjoy it when that male companion flirted with you?”

Alicia blinked, trying to remember the man's face. She couldn't. She licked her dry lips, trying to recall, but all she saw was Caden's face.

“No,” she replied simply.

Caden hummed in satisfaction. “Good girl.” His breathing grew heavier; the tension was palpable. Alice bit her lip, feeling cornered.

“One last question,” he insisted, his voice shaking. He paused, prolonging the silence before asking in a low, almost mocking tone, “Did this call… make you feel good?”

Alicia felt a tingle on her scalp. She didn't dare answer, but her labored breathing gave her away. Caden laughed. She was as easy to read as a book.

“You look like you had a great time,” he said, his voice seductive. “I thought you’d be used to me by now, but I have to say… you got the hang of it right away.”

A high-pitched beep sounded. Alice had hung up.

Caden stared at the phone, laughter shaking his chest. How could someone so stubborn be so obedient? She always did as he asked, yet acted as if she had no choice. He took a deep breath, feeling tense, dissatisfied, and frankly, irritated. With a sigh, he stood and headed to the bathroom.

The incident left Alice uneasy for days. As Christmas approached, the city bustled with activity. Alice seized the opportunity, arranging meetings with several investors. Thanks to Gerry's contacts, everything fell into place, and negotiations went surprisingly well.

After a meeting, she called Gerry to invite him to dinner. His response surprised her. "I didn't really do much. Caden was the one who got it all going. I just set up the meetings."

Alicia's heart sank. Memories of their fight flooded her mind. Despite their argument, she was still reaping the benefits of her foresight.

"Thank him for me," she said resignedly.

Gerry, ever the conciliator, laughed. “Why don’t you thank him yourself?”

Her pulse quickened, but she kept her tone firm. “He’s busy. I don’t want to bother him.”

Sensing her reluctance, Gerry didn't press. “Well, it’s your first adventure. There will be setbacks. If you ever find yourself in a bind and don’t want to call Caden, call me.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hopkins,” Alice replied sincerely. “I really appreciate it.”

After pleasantries, Alice hung up, feeling deeply tired. She'd been running at top speed for days. Now that the most urgent tasks were over, all she wanted was bed. But dinner with the investors was at seven sharp. With a tired glance at the clock, she squared her shoulders, composed herself, and returned to work.

Meanwhile, Yolanda remained in Caden's office. They were both about to leave. She had come to Warrington to help Caden with the crucial chip development project. It was in its early stages, and there was no room for error. But Caden, concerned about her health, wouldn't let her push herself too hard.

“It’s time to eat,” he said, his tone brisk and serious. “I’ll have the chauffeur take you back to Joy Mansion.”

Yolanda hesitated, a soft smile playing on her lips. She didn't want the evening to end. Blinking shyly, she asked softly, “Caden, could I join you for dinner?”