Chapter 221

Hearing Yolanda's voice, Alicia froze, instantly switching off the screen. Immobilized, a lingering unease, intensified since discovering Monica's accident, now weighed heavily on her heart; each beat a painful reminder. Caden wasn't coming; she'd already troubled him too much.

Joshua's laughter was merciless. He caressed her pale cheek before addressing Yolanda. "Did you just wake up from sleeping with Caden?"

Yolanda didn't answer immediately, instead asking, "Who is it?"

Joshua continued, "Has Caden ever compared you two in bed? Has he ever told you who's better, you or Alicia?"

Yolanda's surprise was palpable. Before she could respond, she heard the door open. Panicking, she ended the call, hiding the phone under her pillow.

Caden, freshly showered, entered. His hair was still wet, his face expressionless. "Why are you in my room?" he asked, irritated. They'd booked adjoining suites in Averibon.

Yolanda hesitated, concealing her true intentions. "I noticed something wasn't right and wanted to discuss it," she lied.

Caden tightened his robe, his tone sharp. "Whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow. Go back to your room."

Yolanda bit her lip, pondering the disturbing call. The caller's animosity toward Alicia troubled her. Was something wrong? She decided to postpone revealing this to Caden.

"It's still early. Let's talk for a while, Caden," she insisted. "Otherwise, I'll be up all night worrying about the project."

Noticing her determination, Caden relented. "Fine, I'll order coffee. We can talk there." Yolanda remained silent, watching him approach the bed.

Caden noticed his phone was missing from the nightstand. His expression darkened. "Have you touched my things?"

Yolanda was caught off guard, nervous at his swift observation. Caden quickly found his phone and checked the screen. One unread message: a photo from an emergency number, showing Alicia's bloodstained legs at an isolated mountain location outside Warrington.

Her heart pounded. Something was terribly wrong. His contacts in the country were limited. He hesitated, then sent the address to a trusted contact before turning off the screen. Looking at Yolanda, he asked coldly, "Why did you take my phone?"

Fear flashed in Yolanda's eyes. Maintaining composure, she explained, "You were busy, and I didn't want to miss anything important. It turned out to be a nuisance call."

Caden's expression remained stern. He'd deleted Alicia's number; incoming calls appeared as "unknown." But Yolanda's hidden phone convinced him it was no trivial call—it was Alicia's cry for help.

Without another word, he left. Yolanda, pale with anxiety, followed. "Caden…" she called, but he didn't stop. His bodyguard stood at the door. Caden's silhouette vanished down the corridor as he arranged a private flight back to Warrington.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Cliff. "Mr. Ward, what's going on?" Cliff had sent people to the location, but needed more information. Caden's tone was serious. "Rescue her immediately. And don't alert them. I'll be back now." Cliff hadn't seen him this worried in years.

"Understood," Cliff replied.

Caden moved quickly, panting, unaware of Alicia's exact situation. Every word was filled with determination. "At all costs."

Cliff, surprised by his intensity, waited before hanging up. The Flynn family, unable to contact Monica, had alerted the police. Cliff, following leads related to Monica, traced suspicious interactions to Joshua, deducing the likely motive for the kidnapping, without interfering with the police investigation.

Gerry, hearing the news, rushed to help. "Cliff, with the Flynn family involved with the police, could this increase the risk for Monica and Alicia?"

Cliff, focused on locating Alicia on the map, struggled with the weak mountain signal. His face stern, he replied authoritatively, "Joshua is aware of the police involvement; it will distract him. That gives my team a chance."

Gerry hesitated. "But what if Joshua gets desperate?"

Cliff gave him a sharp look. "Do you have a better idea?"

Gerry was speechless, intimidated by Cliff's imposing presence. "I'll stand back and let you work," he mumbled nervously.

Cliff, drawing on his military background, was known for his unwavering approach. He was intense, but reliable.

Gerry, still uneasy, asked, "Where's Caden?"

"On my way back. I should be there within an hour."

The map beeped, pinpointing Alicia's location. Cliff exhaled, a mix of worry and concentration evident. He mused, "Who is she that Caden is so worried about?"