Chapter 30

Gerry's voice carried a hint of gossip. "Are you two together?" he asked directly.

Before Alicia could answer, Caden snatched the phone. "I'll bring it over in a little while," he told Gerry.

Gerry's playful tone vanished. "Today's incident caused quite a stir. Alicia's face was shown on camera. Be careful; Lilliana's obsessive fans might target her."

"Understood," Caden replied, hanging up and returning the phone.

Alicia stood still, staring at him.

Caden, who had been moving to open the door, stopped, noticing her hesitation. He furrowed his eyebrows. "What's wrong?"

"Gerry warned me to be careful around Lilliana's admirers," Alicia said tensely. "You're Lilliana's boss. Shouldn't I be more careful around you?"

Her suspicion was evident. "Why are you here? Did you come to silence me?"

Caden blinked, silent for a few seconds before replying coldly, "That's right. I'm going to take you to a remote place, do whatever I want with you, kill you, and dispose of your body."

Alicia took a sharp breath, then ceased arguing. They had to leave immediately; Lilliana's fans posed a serious threat. The celebrity's security team was formidable; Lilliana had escaped unharmed, but few people remained.

Caden hurried Alicia towards the underground parking lot. Her relief was short-lived. As the elevator doors opened, they found themselves a few feet from a group of disreputable individuals.

The group turned towards the elevator. Seeing Caden and Alicia, one shouted, "It's her!"

Alicia froze, unprepared for such a swift encounter. Taking a deep breath, she braced herself.

The man leading the group lunged, his expression fierce. "You bitch! How dare you plot against Lilliana!"

Alicia grabbed Caden's hand, pulling him back. "Get behind me!"

Caden looked at her for a moment, then removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. "This is the perfect time for a man to step up."

But before she could react, Alicia delivered a solid kick to the lunging man. She screamed in pain, clutching her chest as she stumbled backward. Caden stood speechless, his mouth forming a small 'O', slowly lowering his sleeves.

The other men pounced. Several lunged at Alicia, but Caden pushed her back, delivering a swift roundhouse kick. His superior strength was undeniable. Alicia had managed to knock down her opponent, but Caden sent his flying, taking out several others.

"If you want to hurt a man," Caden said calmly, "aim for the spots where it hurts most. Kick him in the groin, his head, his shins."

Alicia's eyes lit up. "Understood."

As another man lunged, Alicia kicked him in the groin. He fell, clutching himself and groaning.

It was a powerful blow, Caden admitted, but he felt a strange tightening in his abdomen.

Alicia smiled at him. "How was that? I'm a quick learner, aren't I?"

All Caden could think about was her beautiful eyes. An inexplicable urge to laugh washed over him. "Well done," he said.

The attackers, few in number, were quickly subdued. They retreated, shaken and keeping their distance.

Caden dusted his hands and walked Alicia to her car. She buckled her seatbelt and looked in the side mirror. Lilliana's fans still milled about, uncertain. The men grumbled and made phone calls, glancing sharply towards Caden's car. Alicia's expression grew grim. "They don't seem like Lilliana's fans," she noted. "They seem hired to cause trouble."

Caden glanced at them in the rearview mirror. "Perfect," he said coldly. "Consider it free practice for fools like you."

Alicia glared at him. An insufferable man.

He took out his phone and dialed 911.

"What are you doing?" Caden asked.

"I'm calling the police."

Regardless of whether the men were Lilliana's fans, Alicia trusted the authorities to handle the situation. The lip-sync scandal was still ongoing; this incident might serve as a warning. You don't play with the law.

"Those thugs are all beaten up," Caden said. "Who do you think the police will arrest?"

Alicia's brow furrowed. "But we can't let this go."

"What more do you want?" Caden replied. "One of them is unconscious; you probably rendered him impotent for life."

Alicia calmed slightly. "I didn't kick him that hard."

"Their actions may have been premeditated," Caden said slowly, "but we fought back. At best, the police will consider this a public brawl." Even self-defense wouldn't excuse them; at best, a fine; at worst, arrest. They would lose either way.

Alicia considered this, realizing he was right. She locked her phone. Reflecting on Caden's earlier actions, a strange feeling rose in her chest. She turned to look at him.

They had just left the parking lot and passed under a large tree. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Caden's features. The light shone in his deep-set eyes, making them seem inviting, like pools that beckoned an onlooker to drown.

Alicia continued to stare, stunned. Caden turned to look at her.

"You really like me, huh?"

Alicia's lips twitched, but she quickly looked away, focusing on the scenery. She looked around as if searching for something.

Caden stopped at a restaurant and turned off the engine.

"What are you looking for?" he asked.

Alicia's tone was sharp. "I'm looking for your dignity, as you seem to have lost it somewhere."