Chapter 360
He booked a ticket back to Warrington for the following day and checked into a hotel for the night. Fate, however, had a twist in store. At the hotel, Caden unexpectedly encountered an acquaintance—the mayor's daughter. She was hosting a small gathering in the hotel garden, her ambition already making waves in Bechorion's business circles. Upon seeing Caden, her eyes widened in surprise and curiosity. She enthusiastically invited him to join them. Caden considered her for a moment before accepting.
"Mr. Ward," she said with a warm smile, "you look like you've been through a lot. Busy, I'm guessing?"
Caden met her gaze, his expression serious. "Not at all. It's just… the woman I've fallen for is upset with me. She's run off, and I'm here to bring her back."
The woman blinked in surprise, clearly unprepared for such candor. "You're… you're in love?"
"She hasn't agreed to be my girlfriend yet," Caden replied.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. The internationally famous Caden Ward couldn't win over a woman? Every woman desired him, yet someone dared to resist? Who could this extraordinary woman be?
Caden was indeed exhausted. He had only attended the party because something about it—the woman, perhaps—felt strangely familiar, a feeling far removed from his usual client relationships. In the midst of it all, it felt almost like a mission. His body was drained, but his mind refused to rest, urging him onward despite the fatigue. However, shortly after the party began, Caden fell asleep in his chair, his exhaustion finally overcoming him.
The mayor's daughter noticed and, wishing not to disturb him, quietly asked her friends to lower their voices. A few girls glanced at him, blushing and giggling behind their hands. When Alicia emerged, dressed in a regal gown, their excited whispers reached her ears.
"Is there a celebrity here or something? You all look so giddy," she teased with a smile.
The girls pointed at the sleeping Caden. "It's Mr. Ward from Warrington. We don't even know why he's here!"
"He's even more handsome than he looks in the media!" another added breathlessly.
"I haven't heard any rumors about him dating anyone. Does that mean he's still single?" one speculated.
Alicia's gaze followed their gestures to Caden, and she froze. He was fast asleep, his jacket neatly draped over his broad shoulders. His chiseled features were illuminated by the soft light, giving his face an almost ethereal quality. There was no denying it—he was strikingly handsome. Quickly, she looked away, hardly daring to breathe. After all her careful concealment, she had run into him just before returning to Warrington. Had he found her?