Chapter 534

Before dinner, Caden called. “Are you back at Joy Mansion now?”

“Yes,” Alicia replied, updating him on the situation.

Caden focused on one point, his tone disdainful. “So, did you go back with Blake?”

Alicia retorted, “He’s two years older than you. Shouldn’t you show him some respect?”

“He’s still my nephew! It’s bad enough he’s trying to charm my girlfriend while I’m away. I’m being remarkably lenient by not scolding him.”

Alicia, though speechless, found his reaction amusing. “I’ll head home after dinner. Just don’t overthink it.”

Caden’s tone turned serious. “Did Benedict give you a hard time?”

“Not really. With Ciara around, he hasn’t even spoken to me.”

“I’ll try to wrap up work early and come back.”

Alicia sensed something was amiss. “What’s going on? Is the Moss family putting pressure on you again?”

“It’s about the new batch of robots Corey released. Those influential clients are making things difficult for him,” Caden explained. “Since the chips are linked to me, I’m handling my part.”

Alicia instinctively offered, “I was involved in this too. Do you need my help?”

Caden chuckled, knowingly. He was handling the aspects involving Alicia, but felt uncertain about the modifications she’d made. Confident in the chips he'd created, he still wanted to preempt any potential problems before they reached her.

“Hey, I’ve got to go,” Caden said. “I’ll pick you up tonight.”

A warm feeling filled Alicia. “Alright.” But just as she savored the moment, Caden added, “And keep your distance from that idiot Blake.”

Alicia fell silent.

After dinner, a tired Ciara took her medicine and went upstairs to rest. As Alicia headed downstairs, she spotted Benedict in the living room.

“Ms. Bennett, can we talk?”

Alicia’s heart pounded. She wished she’d waited upstairs for Caden. With no other option, she descended and sat on the sofa.

Benedict wasted no time. “You know Yolanda was almost assaulted at the police station, right?”

Alicia, expecting this, remained calm. “She had officers watching over her. Those criminals were all bark, no bite; Yolanda wasn’t actually hurt.”

Her response, however, seemed to enrage Benedict. “So, you’re saying you wish she had been hurt? Caden is already with you, and isn’t that enough? Do you want to take her down to feel satisfied?”

Alicia recoiled from the harsh accusation. “Benedict, you know that kind of accusation can get you into trouble. Do you need a lesson on that?”

Benedict’s expression shifted, but Alicia pressed on. “The only reason I’m showing you respect is because you’re Caden’s uncle.”

Benedict retorted, “So you won Caden over with that sharp tongue of yours, huh?”

Alicia replied calmly, “Should I say I’m impressive, or that Caden is easily swayed by a few words from a woman?”