Chapter 574:

Moments later, an email notification appeared. Alicia opened it to find photographs of Blake, tied up and unconscious. He was unharmed, for now. But if Alicia refused Corey's demands, that could change. Alicia's heart sank. She loathed Corey's tactics but knew she had to proceed cautiously. She immediately informed Caden.

“Corey’s using Blake to force me to fix the chip. Lives are at stake. You need to help me save him.”

Caden's voice turned icy. “You want me to save a rival? You have some nerve.”

Alicia's frustration mounted. She knew Caden could separate personal feelings from urgent matters, but he was clearly testing her, demanding a show of resolve. Normally, she would hesitate, but the urgency overwhelmed her apprehension.

“Caden, could you stop being so childish?”

He replied languidly, “If I’m in a good mood, I’ll get someone to save him immediately.”

Alicia clenched her jaw. Taking a breath, she asked, “Alright, then what will it take to put you in a good mood?”

A smirk played on Caden's lips. “Remember how you usually make it up to me?”

Her face flushed crimson. “Can you be serious for once? Blake’s life is at risk, and you’re still teasing me. He’s your nephew!”

“Time’s ticking. Keep talking, and he might actually be in danger.”

Alicia fell silent. When she didn't respond, Caden prompted, “Well?”

She glanced around, closed her office door, and whispered, “Honey…”

Corey, unlike Joshua, was not foolish enough to threaten Alicia with someone else's life. After abducting Blake, he wasted no time contacting Caden.

“I just got my hands on Blake’s phone. Guess what secret I uncovered?” Corey chuckled, his voice laced with mischief.

Caden's curiosity was piqued. “What is it?”

Corey replied, “His phone wallpaper is a side profile shot of Alicia’s face.”