Chapter 4

Alicia, preoccupied with leaving Joshua, ignored his question. "Are the divorce papers ready?" she asked flatly.

The word "divorce" sparked irritation in Joshua's eyes. "Why the rush?" he asked, his voice sharp. "My father's finalizing his will; news of my divorce would jeopardize my position. Now, gather your things. We dine at the Yates mansion this evening." The family was hosting a welcome dinner for Caden, hoping to lift Jerald Yates's spirits. Maintaining the pretense of a happy marriage, however, was the furthest thing from Alicia's mind.

"I'm not going," she retorted curtly. "Finalize the divorce and stop wasting my time."

Joshua laughed, a mirthless sound. "Oh, come on, Alice. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't want to leave me, don't you? You can't stand the thought of being without me." Leaning closer, he smiled. "You've worked hard these past two years. Even divorced, I'll take care of you, as long as you make me happy."

Disbelief morphed into anger in Alicia's eyes. Did he think she hid the ring? That she couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogance grated on her nerves. With a sneer, she replied, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring. You wouldn't want this 'plain Jane' bothering you, would you? Once you have it, we'll finalize the divorce immediately."

Joshua remained unfazed, convinced it was another ploy for attention. He tossed a bag at her. "We have guests today. Dress appropriately and don't embarrass me."

Alicia looked at the bag, recalling countless visits to the mansion in modest attire, striving for unnoticed compliance. With divorce imminent, she no longer cared about playing the obedient wife. After putting on her suit, she applied subtle makeup, enhancing her already flawless complexion. The delicate touches accentuated her features, giving her a radiant glow.

When Joshua saw her descending the stairs, he paused. Perhaps it was the way the dress clung to her curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. Or maybe it was the flush on her cheeks, as though she had just experienced passionate intimacy. Passion? Intimacy? Joshua's heart clenched. Alice was still his wife. Who else could have been with her? He must have overthought it.

At the Yates mansion, they slipped into their usual roles, masking the tension between them. Alicia linked her arm through Joshua's; their movements were synchronized as they walked toward the patio. Despite Jerald's illness, the great hall buzzed with relatives. Yet, upon crossing the threshold, a sudden chill prickled Alice's skin. Her gaze fixed on a man lounging at the far end of the room—legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned, exuding arrogance and an imposing presence. Their eyes met, a familiar, commanding gaze that pinned her in place. Her mind raced; emotions surged.

Joshua, noticing the shift in her demeanor, frowned. "What's wrong?"

Alice's breath hitched. One word escaped her lips, barely audible: "Caden?"

The name sent a chill down her spine. Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Their families' friendship had intertwined their lives since they were ten. Caden's arrival at her school had shattered her perfect world. She could no longer claim first place; despite her efforts, he always surpassed her by a fraction, leaving her perpetually second.

Others might have accepted defeat, but not Alice. Raised in the once-prestigious Bennett family, she lived under the pressure to excel. Failure wasn't an option, yet Caden effortlessly took everything she worked for. He seemed to target her from the start, and Alice, stubbornly refused to yield.

Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought openly and secretly. Their final showdown occurred at university, just before graduation, in a national competition. Alicia aimed for perfection, achieving a perfect score. But Caden, through bribery, manipulated the results, leaving her second once more.

The injustice stung deeply, but her father's disappointment was a crushing blow. On the phone, his voice dripping with disapproval, Alicia waited for his anger to subside before quietly asking about his return for her graduation. Her mother, Donna, offered comfort, promising their presence. But Phil and Donna perished in a plane crash on their way back from Itrubisite. Alice became an orphan, her world shattered.

She hadn't challenged Caden since. He had left Warrington to build his career abroad.

"He's back for the inheritance," Joshua murmured.

Alice glanced at him. "With a family empire like ours, an eldest son wouldn't give up easily."

Joshua's brow furrowed. The Yates empire was vast, a legacy many would covet. Yet, Caden had amassed his own fortune, surpassing even the family's wealth. Did he truly care about the inheritance? Or was this merely Caden's competitive nature—a game to him? He had a talent for chaos.

Alicia had been his rival for years, and even now, acknowledging her felt like wasted effort. He turned to leave.

But Joshua grabbed her wrist, his grip firm. "I know you two don't get along," she said, "but he's still my brother. We must maintain appearances."

Her body tensed; she tried to pull away, her skin prickling under his grasp. Joshua frowned. "Alice, behave," he hissed, irritation flaring. "Let me go. I don't want your filthy hands on me."

A dark expression crossed Joshua's face. Instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing tightly. Alice bit her tongue, silently seething.

As they approached, Caden's gaze rose, his eyes narrowing in a lazy assessment. "Joshua," Caden greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes drifted to their intertwined hands; a smile played on his lips. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as if not recognizing Alicia.