Chapter 48
"What's wrong with a little contact? You seem to be craving it. Isn't that why you came here, to let us do our thing?" The group burst into laughter. The drunk man stared at Alice and touched her cheek again. Alice slapped his hand away, her voice icy. "I've already called the police. You should think twice about your next move."
The man sneered. “The police? My legs are shaking. Weren’t you the one who asked for this?”
Monica, furious, interjected, "Shut your mouth! We were eating, and you started this. Nobody agreed to anything with you."
The man sneered again. “You've been dumped, divorced, and now you're alone and desperate. You resort to dirty tricks to steal someone else's husband. Isn't it because you crave attention and need a man? I'm here to fill that void. Isn’t that exactly what you want?”
His mocking words provoked laughter from the crowd, who murmured amongst themselves. "Now I remember why she looks familiar. It's Alicia Bennett." "She's been in the headlines lately, wrapped up in rumors about what she's willing to do to get a man." "Look at her, so flirtatious. I'm sure she has no shortage of men. Why bother fighting over one?" "She's a cheapskate. That's why. Beautiful women are all the same: cheap, and they can't live without a man. But they get offended when someone touches them." "Ha, ha, ha. She wouldn't want a man like you to lay a finger on her." "As if I wanted to touch her. Who knows how many men she's been with?"
The cruel words stung Alice. She stared at the man screaming loudest; his expression was as repulsive as his words. Her icy gaze only spurred them to laugh harder, their insults growing crueler. He stepped back and picked something up from the table. The drunk man staggered over and put a hand on his shoulder. “Why don't you come with me?” She pushed him away.
Monica jumped up, screaming, "Don't you dare touch her with those filthy hands!" The staggering man was on the verge of falling. Furious, he pointed at Monica. "You have the nerve to push me, bitch!" As he raised his hand to hit Monica, Alice threw an object at him. Chaos erupted.
Physically, they were no match for the man. In the struggle, Alice was pushed against a table, her arm colliding with a pot of hot soup. She suppressed a cry of pain. Joshua, who had been motionless, finally moved to intervene. Lilliana grabbed Alice's arm, smiling. “The show is over. Let’s go.” Many spectators were his fans; they would defend her if things escalated. Joshua paused, still staring at Alice.
Moments later, restaurant security and the police arrived, ending the chaos. “Joshua, I said let's go!” Lilliana shouted, louder this time. Joshua relaxed as the police restrained the drunks. Without a word, he followed Lilliana out the door. Just before entering the car, he glanced back at the drunks. Beyond the crowd, a tall figure caught his attention—Caden. He stood behind the police, exuding authority and dominance. Joshua looked sullen. He reasoned that, given Caden's strained relationship with Alice, he was probably just there for the spectacle.
Before he could dwell on it, Lilliana, already in the car, yelled, “Joshua, come on, let’s go home.” With clenched fists, Joshua slid into the seat beside her. Lilliana commented, “If I were Alice, I would be humiliated to show my face in public, let alone come here to eat. She got what she deserved.”
Joshua firmly ordered the driver, "Drive." Alice had endured enough; he couldn't hold out much longer. The police took the main instigators away. Since Alice had participated, she also had to go to the station.
He tried to reassure Monica: “Go home. I just have to make a statement. I will keep you informed.”
Monica shook her head. “No way. Who knows if they'll try to mess with you? These thugs are all the same!”
“I'm fine,” Alice insisted. “You're still in school. You shouldn’t be anywhere near a police station.” She knew it would have repercussions for Monica's future.
Monica, however, wasn't worried. Just as she was about to protest, Caden's imposing figure appeared. He took Alice aside, then turned to Monica. “I’ve contacted Mr. Flynn. He’ll come pick you up.” Caden's stern gaze silenced Monica. She swallowed.
Alicia insisted, “Go home, Monica. I’ll be fine.”
Monica hesitated. “But Caden…”
Alice replied, “It won't do anything to me.”
Caden glanced at her. She looked like a wild cat emerging from a tumultuous encounter; the more disheveled she appeared, the more captivating she became. Caden smiled, leading Alicia towards the police car, completely ignoring Monica.