Chapter 339

Alicia kept her focus on the road. "If you're injured," she said, "tell me now so we can address it. Don't blame me later."

Caden's sneer returned. "Just admit you're worried about me. There's no need to beat around the bush."

Alicia was speechless. He could think what he wanted; she was overthinking things.

Caden's tone shifted to seriousness. "Shelia targeted me, not you. You shouldn't feel responsible, even if something had happened to me."

A realization dawned on Alicia. Caden was the reason Joshua was in jail, and Shelia had been fixated on him. Alicia had become a target simply because she had been the first to exit the car—Shelia had no other option. This realization brought no relief.

They remained silent for the rest of the journey.

After Joshua's incarceration, Lilliana ended up hospitalized with pregnancy complications, and the Green family remained uninvolved. After Caden's threats, Jerald was too afraid to leave the house, misleading others by claiming a serious illness requiring home recuperation. Shelia found herself utterly alone. In her desperation, she chose a violent act of revenge against Caden, though she posed little real threat.

Several hours later, Alicia and Caden were contacted by the police. Shelia hadn't caused serious harm; she was fined and briefly detained. The police recommended a private settlement and suggested an apology. But upon seeing them, Shelia unleashed a torrent of curses. Knowing better than to provoke Caden directly, she focused her vitriol on Alicia, maliciously dredging up Alicia's past with Joshua, claiming she had been his wife and had an affair with his brother—romantically involved with both men simultaneously. She called Alicia a slut, relentlessly slandering her. Her vile words stung like acid.

Caden, standing beside Alicia with a stony expression, reached his breaking point. He grabbed a nearby chair. Alicia, realizing his intent, quickly pressed down on his wrist, whispering urgently, "Caden, we're at the police station!"

Several officers intervened to restrain him. His chest heaved, but he resisted their touch, slowly calming himself. He placed the chair behind Alicia and said coldly to the officers, "Relax. I'm not going to break any laws." Then, turning to Alicia, he commanded, "Sit."

Alicia felt uneasy about his behavior. Having vented her anger, Shelia finally ceased her cursing. She fixed a piercing gaze on Caden and sneered, "Just wait. Your downfall is coming."