Chapter 242
A few sheets of paper landed on the table, sending a cold draft swirling through the room. Jerald's eyes dropped to the documents, his ears ringing with anxiety. He didn't know the report's contents, but Caden's implications were clear. Jerald had once suffered a severe illness and wondered if it had been sabotage. He’d suspected business rivals or scheming executives, but never, not even in his darkest moments, had he considered Joshua. He had always been Joshua's father, showering him with affection, fulfilling his every whim, grooming him as his heir. Why would Joshua betray him? The accusation felt like a physical blow. He struggled to accept it.
“If Joshua was behind this,” Jerald began, his voice trembling, “then why did he go out of his way to care for me during my hospitalization?”
Caden’s reply was sharp. “Because he felt guilty. Unlike you, he still has a conscience.”
Caden’s gaze shifted to the report, a silent testament to his words. A subtle smile then played on his lips, tightening the air with unspoken tension. Jerald remained frozen, caught between disbelief and denial. Shelia, observing silently, turned pale as her eyes fell upon the report. Joshua wasn't the only one culpable; she bore responsibility as well. If Jerald believed Caden and uncovered the truth, it would shatter Joshua's last support. She couldn't bear that. Her gaze drifted to a nearby glass of water. Spilling it on the report—accidentally, of course—could destroy the evidence. But when she reached for the glass, her hands shook violently, rendering pretense unnecessary.
Before she could act, Jerald snatched the report.
“Jerald!” Shelia cried, her voice trembling.
Jerald turned, his eyes dark and intense. “What?”
“Here, drink some water!” she urged, extending a shaking hand. “Calm down. Don't believe everything Caden says. Remember, he resents Joshua and would do anything to implicate him.”
Jerald pushed her away, the seed of doubt already sown. Once the idea of betrayal took root, it was unshakeable. He was consumed by the need for truth, impervious to dissuasion.
As Shelia reached for the document, fear gave way to despair. Ignoring her own safety, she lunged, snatching it from him. His face reddening with rage, he tore the report to shreds, soaked the pieces, and tossed them in the trash. He stood breathing heavily, his gaze full of disdain. He no longer needed proof; his actions spoke volumes. A bitter laugh, laced with rage and disbelief, escaped him. “You lying witch! Have you and Joshua conspired against me?”
Shelia visibly flinched. Stepping forward, she tried to restrain him. “Jerald, Caden is trying to hurt us. He fabricated this evidence. Nothing of the sort…”
Jerald’s fury erupted, cutting her off. He struck her, his voice booming. “Witch! You and Joshua…”
Before he could finish, dizziness overwhelmed him. His body trembled uncontrollably as his strength ebbed. Shelia, stunned, reached into a drawer, producing a pill which she quickly forced into his mouth.
Caden watched, his expression cold and indifferent. He understood Shelia's motives perfectly. Her actions weren't driven by love for Jerald, but by a need to keep him alive, to secure Joshua's future. Adults, he mused, measured everything by their own calculations, yet often found themselves empty-handed. He glanced at the pill pack, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips as he rose. “Use it wisely. Even counterfeit medicine of that brand is hard to obtain.”
Jerald remained unaware, but Shelia heard. Her eyes narrowed in fury. “Caden, even a worm will turn!”
Caden’s expression remained impassive. “I can’t wait to see what you’re capable of.”
He turned and left, leaving Shelia frozen, supporting Jerald and battling the fear Caden had instilled. How did Caden know everything? What had he been doing all these years? And what awaited them when the truth emerged?
Everything seemed to unfold in an instant. Caden's strategy was relentless, a calculated and devastating assault. Shelia felt perched on a precipice; without retaliation, she would be destroyed. She couldn't allow that; she couldn't allow herself to lose.
Once she composed herself, she went outside and called. “Deliver what I need immediately.”
Alicia’s party was lavish, attracting numerous industry figures. Gerry arrived in his prized sports car, drawing admiring glances. With a carefree whistle, he stepped out, exuding confidence. He entered, raised an eyebrow at Alice, and smiled. “How do I look? Handsome, aren’t I?”
Alice smiled warmly. “You look fantastic.”
But her attention shifted, her expression changing as something—or someone—caught her eye. Gerry paused, realizing who she was looking for. “Caden didn’t show up?”