Chapter 546

The temperature felt fine, yet a chill ran down Alicia's spine. Rubbing her arms, she checked her phone again—still no message from Caden. Typical. He was a master of distance. Huffing, she set the phone aside, determined to focus on work. Just then, it rang. It was Caden.

Alicia's heart skipped a beat, but she paused before answering. "What?" she snapped, her tone sharp.

Hank, holding the phone on speaker for Caden, blinked in surprise at her tone and glanced at his boss. Caden's expression barely changed, though a faint smirk played on his lips. Clearing his throat, Hank said, "Uh, Ms. Bennett, it's me."

Alicia's tone softened. "Oh, Hank, sorry about that. I thought it was that jerk, Caden."

Caden's smirk vanished, his brow furrowing. She had thoroughly undermined his authority. Hank maintained a straight face and relayed Caden's message: "Mr. Ward wanted to check in on how you're handling the Blake situation."

Alicia bristled. "If he's so competent, why is he asking me? He might as well shut down my gallery while he's at it."

Hank stiffened, sighing inwardly. Why did he have to be caught in their crossfire?

Without warning, Caden took the phone, his voice cold. "This is your last chance. Out of respect for my nephew, I'm letting you handle this your way so he can leave with some dignity. If it were up to me, he'd be out of Warrington, disgraced."

Unfazed, Alicia retorted, "Oh, really? I'd love to see Mr. Langstaff in such a state."

Caden was momentarily speechless. He knew Alicia was intelligent, but her sharpness surprised him. Her words were so infuriating that he felt he might explode.

Beep beep beep. The call ended abruptly. Caden's cheerful face turned grim. He flung his phone aside, remembering how he'd shattered Alicia's phone during their earlier argument. He decided to buy her a replacement.

"Drive to the phone shop," Caden commanded coldly.

Hank, knowing better than to argue, obeyed. In the store, Caden selected the latest, most luxurious pink model and had it gift-wrapped. Aware of their recent disagreement, Hank suggested, "Should I deliver it, Mr. Ward?"

Caden replied, "What else? She's likely missing me, but I'm not going to give her that pleasure."

Hank inwardly complained, "Is being stubborn really beneficial? You seem quite self-satisfied."

After leaving the phone store, Caden stopped at a nearby jewelry shop. His attention was drawn to an exquisite aquamarine necklace, symbolizing calm and clarity.