Chapter 6

Alice's face, pale from the cold, flushed crimson. The humiliation of her nemesis seeing her in such a sorry state stung more than the biting rain. She leaned against the car door, trying to distance herself.

Caden's eyes lingered on her legs. “You have great legs,” he commented nonchalantly. “Joshua seems to like them. And I’m sure many other men do too.” He bowed his head, fingers drumming quietly on the armrest, the rhythm as maddening as his words. "In fact, I'd wager quite a few would find them irresistible."

A lump formed in Alice's throat, a shiver ran down her spine. It was pitch black, pouring rain; common sense dictated it wasn't safe for a woman to be outside alone. Yet, Caden's words made the statistical possibility seem a foregone conclusion. What a disgusting jerk!

She hesitated, options limited. With a reluctant sigh, Alice buckled her seatbelt, pressing herself against the door as if it could protect her. The soaked dress clung like a second skin, the discomfort gnawing at her. She hunched her shoulders, shivering. Without a word, Caden tossed his coat onto her lap. The weight surprised her, but she quickly wrapped herself in it, grateful for the warmth.

The coat carried Caden's unique scent—cologne and something raw, masculine. It clung to the fabric, penetrating her senses, dragging her back to that fateful night… The familiar voice. The familiar smell. Alice's heart sank; could it really be him? Oh, God… It couldn't be! The ridiculousness of the idea made her shudder, but she couldn't shake her suspicion. She turned stiffly to study him, hoping for an answer.

Caden, oblivious, didn't look up from his phone. "Stop looking at me. I'm not interested." Idiot!

Alice ignored him, clearing her throat. "So, Caden, when did you get back?"

Only then did he look up, regarding her with distant amusement, as if admiring a caged bird. "The 14th."

Her heart dropped. The 14th? The day of his "incident." Her heart pounded as she continued, "And where were you staying that day?"

Caden leaned back, a smug smile watching her squirm. He seemed to enjoy her panic. "I don't remember. I was too busy fucking a girl."

Fucking a girl? Alice's mouth went dry. This didn't prove anything, but anxiety gnawed at her.

Before she could ask further, Caden's phone rang, breaking the tension. He answered lazily, raising an eyebrow at her. "What are you looking for?"

The cinema manager's voice cracked through the line: "A ring."

Caden looked at Alice's delicate hands. He hadn't heard the caller, but his expression was enough. Without thinking, he clasped his hands together.

When the call ended, Caden's voice was tinged with mockery. "Didn't Joshua spend a fortune on a bracelet for you? Why don't you wear it?"

Alice's expression darkened. “He bought it for his lover,” she replied coldly.

Caden chuckled humorlessly. "Generous, isn't it? Spending a fortune on a dog collar."

Alice said nothing, feeling a strange satisfaction. Her previous doubts and worries faded. It didn't matter who the man had been that night. She had used him, and that was that. She had moved on.

Reaching Monica's house, Alice hesitated. Should she thank Caden? Finally, she said stiffly, "I'll wash the coat and send it to the Yates mansion."

Caden, never one for gentlemanly behavior, gave a mocking smile. "If you mess it up, just give me fifty thousand in cash."

Alice blinked in bewilderment. Fifty thousand? For this coat? I could probably buy something better than this rag with that amount of money. But she hadn't complained before; now, with no room to protest, she obeyed.

After transferring the money, he wiped his wet legs and feet on the coat, handing it back with a mocking smile. "Next time, Mr. Ward, I suggest you invest in a better coat. This one is a bit rough."

Caden's laughter filled the car. Hard? Huh. That night, she had clung to him, soaking his clothes. She hadn't complained about his rudeness then. Recalling the scene, his throat went dry. He swallowed, lit a cigarette to dull the pain. But even nicotine couldn't calm him.

When Caden reached his apartment, Hank waited, ready with company updates. Caden had instructed him to reorganize everything, which Hank had done.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Hank added. “I saw Joshua at the station earlier. He seemed to be looking for Miss Bennett.”

Caden laughed, eyes sparkling, tossing Hank a bottle of water. "The ever-submissive Alice finally stood up to him, and he liked it. Imagine that."

Speaking of Alice, Hank presented a ring. "Should I give the ring back to Miss Bennett or tell her to pick it up herself?"

Caden examined the ring—a small, plain silver band, too large, probably slipped off during… the intensity of that night. Cheap material, cheaper feeling. Yet, Alice was desperate to get it back. Caden smiled cynically. What did she have besides that seductive body? Not much.

Hank sighed, almost regretfully. “If Miss Bennett weren't your sister-in-law, Mr. Ward, perhaps your troubles…”

Caden's expression darkened, silencing Hank. “It was the drugs,” Caden hissed, his voice icy.

"But it was Miss Bennett who was drugged, sir," Hank corrected.

Caden's fingers tightened around the ring, the cold metal digging into his palm. The atmosphere chilled. “My apologies, Mr. Ward. I spoke out of turn,” Hank muttered, stepping back.

Caden's gaze drifted to a part of himself already reacting to the thought of Alice. Just thinking about her excited him. With a malicious smile, he added, almost to himself: "We'll know where the problem really lies... after another round."