Chapter 232

After the fireworks, Alicia leaned against Caden, dazed, staring at him. She couldn't identify the liquid on her lips and, embarrassed, quickly wiped it away. "What was that for?" she asked, her body flushed. She'd never imagined he would do that, adding, "Why didn't you talk to me first?"

Caden chuckled softly. "Was talking really necessary?" he teased, his voice low and seductive. "Should I have said, 'Allow me a taste, Miss Bennett'?"

Alicia's cheeks burned. He quickly covered her mouth, feeling her warm breath against his hand. Drawn to her shy demeanor, he could contain himself no longer. "Come on," he said, "let's continue with the fireworks." He steered her toward the main display.

When they returned, Alicia had fallen asleep. Caden wrapped her in his warm down jacket and carried her back to the inn. As they arrived, his phone rang. He squinted at the caller ID. Feeling Alicia stir, he gently placed her on the bed, covering her ears with a piece of clothing before answering.

Yolanda's voice filled the phone. "Caden, I thought you weren't taking my calls. I tried several times. I was worried."

"Make it quick," he replied coldly.

His tone sent a chill down Yolanda's spine. "I called my father a few days ago, and we resolved our problem. The initial program is ready. You can try it when you return." A deep, persistent cough racked her body.

Caden was silent for a moment, his thoughts distant. "Thank you for your effort," he finally said, his voice formal and detached.

Yolanda coughed again, then, with a smile and a hoarse voice, said, "Don't worry. I've always had poor health. It's been like this since I was a little girl…"

"Make sure you go to the hospital," Caden suggested. "You can request reimbursement from the financial department."

Yolanda was taken aback, a bitter feeling washing over her. "Caden, I…" she began, but the call ended. With the phone on silent, a wave of bitterness consumed her.

She vividly recalled Caden's desperation when Alicia was in danger. She knew he’d been with Alicia the whole time. I wasn't jealous. I wasn't hurt. Of course I was. But more important matters demanded her attention. She had made mistakes—using Caden's phone to call Alicia and lying about it—and she needed to rectify them.

Just then, Dorian called. Yolanda looked at the screen, uninterested, and hung up. Dorian immediately texted: "You've spoken to Caden." Yolanda replied simply, "Yes."

Dorian, sitting in the living room, sighed. "I don't understand you. You keep lowering your standards for him."

For years, Yolanda had been her family's beloved, spoiled child. Yet, her infatuation with Caden seemed to have clouded her judgment.

Yolanda's mother, Regina Moss, smiled. "You're not the one who spoiled her. You preach sensibility, yet secretly plot alliances with the Ward family. She knows you adore her; that's why she acts as she does."

Dorian's lips tightened. He knew Regina was right, but Yolanda was his only daughter, and he loved her deeply. What choice did he have but to indulge her?

Regina reached for a bottle of headache pills, but Dorian stopped her. "Let me," he said.

Regina looked down. "Dorian, Yolanda's an adult. We shouldn't control her. Let's not interfere further."

Dorian's face was inscrutable. "And if I choose to be unfair?" he asked.

Regina looked at him dispassionately. "Then I won't stop you."

A heavy silence settled between them. He attempted to hug her, but Regina stood and walked away, her clothing untouched.

After returning to town, Alicia went straight to see Monica. Monica's calf wound, deep enough to expose the bone, had required a week-long hospital stay. Lennon had arranged for a family doctor to continue her care.

Alicia arrived with a gift. Lennon, though initially blaming Alicia, softened after hearing her story. Yet, he couldn't quite smile. Alicia, remorseful, apologized sincerely. She went to see Monica while Lennon instructed a servant to put the gift away. Something felt amiss. "Wait," he said, "bring it here."

He opened the box to reveal a heavy solid gold ornament, finely crafted. The gold itself wasn't extraordinary, but the central pearl was breathtaking. Lennon, with his discerning eye, instantly recognized it as a rare Ward family piece.

Caden was known for using rare gifts to curry favor, but Lennon never expected to receive one. Surprise, excitement, then a chill, ran through him. The gift was from Alicia, and Caden had made no contact. Yet the intention was clear. Caden was attempting amends, and Lennon intended to acknowledge the effort. Taking a deep breath, he instructed the housekeeper, "Go buy the finest ingredients. Prepare a feast, and treat Alice like an honored guest."