Chapter 255

He knew Dorian’s personal visit signified a serious matter. Dorian's gaze flicked to the door. "Is Alice in there?"

As Caden poured tea, he replied, "She is."

Dorian lifted the cup, sipping the still-hot, bitter tea. His voice, barely masking his anger, cut through the silence. "Why haven't you made your relationship public?"

Caden calmly responded, "It's not the right time."

"Were you already involved with her when you asked me for help?"

"That's how it is," Caden stated simply.

Dorian slammed the cup down, shattering it against the table. "If that's so, why did you agree to Yolanda coming to Warrington?"

Caden stared at the broken pieces scattered across the floor. Dorian was the first to ever destroy a mug in his office. He accepted the outburst, however; Dorian had every right to be angry. The situation was his fault; he hadn't anticipated the evolution of his relationship with Alicia. It was a miscalculation.

"Mr. Moss, you can punish me as you see fit. I won't object," Caden said, his voice hardening. "But when it comes to matters of the heart, I won't compromise. I don't love Yolanda, and I won't let her waste her life with me."

Dorian scoffed. "You're not afraid of offending me, are you, Caden?"

With a calm smile, Caden replied, "I'm aware offending you isn't ideal, but I won't force myself to act against my feelings."

Dorian's stern gaze met Caden's. Their exchange felt like a tense standoff, neither willing to yield, mutual destruction seemingly inevitable.

After a heavy silence, Caden called the janitor to clean up the mess.

"Out of respect for Mrs. Ward, I'll let it slide for now," Dorian said, his tone darkening. "But if Yolanda isn't cured by the end of the year, you'll learn what I'm truly capable of."

The two families' relationship ran deeper than appearances suggested. Dorian, a man of power and prestige, found himself forced to suppress his frustration in the face of Caden's defiance.

As Dorian turned to leave, Caden rose to escort him.

"Don't bother. I can find my own way out. Seeing you only makes me angrier," Dorian said, without looking back.