Chapter 29

Excitement surged online and backstage. Alicia remained composed, focused on her performance. After singing, he silently exited, ignoring the ensuing commotion.

Netizens voiced their opinions, the public's adoration of Lilliana swiftly turning to animosity. “Did you see? Alicia’s votes surpassed Lilliana’s! Incredible! A big name singer lost to a newcomer!” Other comments included: “Amazing! It sounds exactly like last year’s hit! Same voice!” and “Do you think he’s lip-syncing?” Speculation escalated: “Or maybe Lilliana was lip-syncing all along! Since that song unexpectedly blew up last year, she hasn't released anything noteworthy. Strange, isn't it?” “I’ve said it before—one hit wonder? Turns out, she wasn’t even singing!” “Just listen to Lilliana’s performance today; she sounds muffled.”

The noise intensified. Even the judges exchanged skeptical glances, their doubt palpable. High-profile celebrities, whose presence the Green family had lavishly purchased, couldn't withstand the public scrutiny. They confronted Lilliana, demanding answers.

Lilliana's face drained of color. She clutched her stomach, immobile. Gerry, relishing the spectacle, taunted Caden. “You lost, Caden. Don't forget to hand over the land.”

Caden responded with a lazy smile, “Don't worry, I won't back down.”

“You smile even after losing?” Gerry pressed.

“Seeing a good show for a piece of land is quite a bargain,” Caden shrugged.

His gaze shifted to a corner of the audience. Several suspicious figures, hats pulled low, intently listened to the Green family patriarch. After a brief exchange, the group bowed and departed. Caden raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and stood.

Gerry craned his neck, eager for more gossip. “Where are you going?”

Joshua, worried about Lilliana and the baby, quickly escorted her away. Lilliana leaned against him, trembling. “Why is this happening?” She had not only lost the contest but her lip-syncing secret was about to be exposed. How could this happen? How could Alicia be related to Iris?

Rage and fear mingled as tears streamed down Lilliana's face. “Joshua, what should we do?” she sobbed. “The promotion was massive, and now I'm humiliated. How can I continue in this industry?”

Joshua’s expression hardened with anger. Iris could be Alicia. The realization struck him with surprise and irony. Alicia had waited for this moment—revenge? To complicate his life? She was quite the ex-wife. He’d underestimated her. Anger surged as he sought a solution, then he tightened his grip on the weeping woman, fierce determination hardening his gaze.

Alicia anticipated the events of the day. She swiftly headed backstage to change out of her elaborate gown. The audience remained engrossed, leaving the dressing room nearly empty. Slightly weary, Alicia closed the curtain and began to undress. Having worn the dress only once, she treated it with care to avoid damaging it. After hanging it, she remembered she hadn't brought a change of clothes.

Then she heard the door open. A surge of hope washed over her. She whispered, “Are you my makeup artist?” No response. Thinking she’d misheard, she called again, but received no answer. Peeking behind the curtain revealed no one. She clutched her chest and tiptoed out. Rounding a corner, she saw Caden sitting in a makeup chair, watching her with amusement.

“Jesus Christ!” she silently screamed.

Frozen for several seconds, she turned and fled, clutching her chest. In her panic, she pulled the curtain closed. Caden smiled, gathering his clothes and approaching her.

Alice screamed, “Why didn't you answer when I called you? You're a pervert!”

Caden calmly replied, “You were calling your makeup artist. Why would I answer?”

Alice growled, “Get out!”

Caden reached out and pulled the curtain aside, revealing her. Alice grabbed it quickly, determined to keep him out. Caden didn't argue. “Aren’t you going to change?”

Alice needed to change, but his comment irritated her. “Leave the clothes. I’ll deal with them later.”

Caden nonchalantly replied, “What do I care about your flat chest?”

Fury consumed Alice. “Who are you calling flat? Even if it were true, it's none of your business!”

Caden hummed in acknowledgement before dropping the clothes on the floor. “I'm leaving,” he announced.

Seconds later, footsteps faded. Alice waited, uncertain if he’d truly left. She cautiously peeked through a gap in the curtain. No one. Seeing her clothes a short distance away, she reached for them, but a sudden unease made her whip her head around. Caden leaned casually against a closet, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

Damn!

Alice silently screamed. Her face burned with fury as she grabbed the clothes and retreated behind the curtain.

Caden chuckled softly. “How can someone be so clumsy?”

Alice gritted her teeth. “I never imagined you were such a pervert!”

Caden remarked, “Haven’t you been standing right under my nose?”

Alice was speechless. She clenched her fists and quickly dressed. As she left, her phone rang. Gerry. “Mr. Hopkins,” she answered as she exited.

Gerry informed her, “The restaurant is booked. I'll send someone to pick you up. By the way, have you seen Caden?”

Alice replied flatly, “He’s gone.”