Chapter 309:

Afterward, Caden finished the soup and fed Alicia, spoonful by spoonful. His expression remained unreadable as he watched her pale, fragile face.

“You listen to everyone except me, Alicia. I must have owed you a great deal in a past life.”

Alicia's heart ached. Who truly owed whom? She ate quietly, forcing herself to finish.

After a moment, he asked, “Why didn’t you fight back when Yolanda did that to you yesterday?” He couldn't comprehend her passivity, given her personality. It baffled him.

Finishing her meal, Alicia pushed his hand away without emotion. “What’s wrong with that? Isn’t this what everyone wants?” she said flatly.

The veins in Caden’s forehead throbbed. The memory of that moment still sent his heart racing. If he'd been even a little later, she might not have survived. He hadn't cared so deeply for a woman since his mother.

For the first time, he relented, his tone softening. “I won’t force you anymore in the future.”

Alicia sneered. A future between them? Laughable.

He ignored her retort and reached for her phone, handing it over silently.

“Cade’s condition has improved. I arranged for him to be moved to a specialized veterinary hospital this morning. He’ll recover faster there.”

Alicia was startled. Caden pursed his lips. “You should have told me about it.”

Alicia responded flatly, “What’s there to say? He’s just a dog. How could he ever compare to precious Yolanda?”

A sinking feeling settled in Caden's chest. She was echoing his own words.

“I’ll make sure Yolanda apologizes to you by the end of the day,” he said firmly.

Alicia lifted her head, her eyes filled with mockery. “No need. I wouldn’t want to owe her anything. She left me in the cold for half an hour; that’s it. It’s not like she tried to strangle me with wire.”

Caden's face changed. The image of the terrible wound on Alicia's neck nearly suffocated him. He said coldly, “I won’t let her get away with this.”

Leaving the hospital, Caden immediately reviewed the surveillance footage from the apartment complex. After watching for some time, he turned to the security guard and asked, “Has any woman requested the surveillance footage recently?”