Chapter 336:

One thing puzzled him: why did she always find herself in dangerous situations? How would she manage without his help?

After paying her respects at the grave, Alicia discovered Caden's car was gone. She entered her own vehicle, unaware of her surroundings, only to find Caden already in the passenger seat. She jumped, attempting to pull away, but he restrained her. The car door slammed shut. He leaned close, maintaining a respectful distance.

“You’re being followed,” he said.

Alicia ceased resisting and met his gaze. Caden examined her closely. At this proximity, he noticed her delicate cheeks and was captivated by her fragrance. His Adam's apple bobbed as he said, “I couldn’t see their face, but I’m certain they followed you here.”

Alicia was skeptical. “If I’m the target, why are you in my car?”

Caden replied earnestly, “With me here, they wouldn’t dare approach.”

“They wouldn’t dare even if you weren’t here!” she retorted, opening the glove compartment to reveal an array of self-defense tools. “After last time, I’ve learned to defend myself. You don’t need to worry.” She closed the box.

Caden remained unfazed. “If the attacker is skilled, you might not even get the chance to reach for your tools,” he pointed out.

“I’ve been trained,” Alicia replied. “I can handle an average adult male without trouble.”

“If he’s brave enough to follow you, he’s not an average male.”

Alicia frowned. “Your assumptions are pointless.”

“It’s just a precaution. If he’s armed—say, with a gun—you wouldn’t be able to defend yourself,” Caden explained.

The corner of Alicia’s mouth twitched. “If he really had a gun, both of us would already be in trouble. Your jumping into the car to intimidate him would be quite useless, wouldn’t it?”

Caden was momentarily stunned. Alicia tapped the touchscreen, unlocking the car door. “Get out. I need to head back.”

Caden remained seated.