Chapter 705
The name was unfamiliar to Yolanda, but a quick glance at the profile confirmed her suspicion: it was Alicia. “Lucky…” she whispered, the name tasting like jealousy. It was a term of endearment, an affectionate nickname Caden must have given Alicia. For a man like Caden, perpetually consumed by work and responsibilities, such tender gestures were rare. But with Alicia, he’d made an exception. He loved her deeply, a love that pierced his stoic exterior.
Yolanda’s chest tightened, bitterness coiling within her like a snake. She was lost in this jealousy until Corey’s voice cut through her thoughts. “What are you doing, standing there like that?”
Startled, Yolanda spun around, slipping her phone into her pocket. “Don’t sneak up on people like that, Corey! Trying to give someone a heart attack?” she snapped, masking her unease. For a brief second, she’d thought it was Caden.
Corey’s eyes narrowed, unimpressed. “It’s done. The next part is up to you. Don’t mess it up.”
Yolanda’s expression hardened as she refocused. “I won’t,” she said, her voice cold. “Caden’s upcoming proposal will be the talk of Warrington. Alicia could die happy.”
Not wanting to be alone in her cold apartment, Alicia decided to visit Ciara at Joy Mansion. The recent turmoil in Caden’s life had cast a long shadow over the household. Ciara had some inkling of what was happening but feigned ignorance, wanting to spare her family further stress. Benedict, meanwhile, was buried under a mountain of work.
After ensuring Ciara was settled for the night, Alicia ventured into the study. “Benedict, there’s something important I need to give you,” she said. Benedict, still on a phone call, merely glanced at her as she interrupted, continuing his conversation near the window. Alicia waited patiently, her hands clasped.
About ten minutes later, Benedict finally turned. “Please don’t make things harder for me,” he said, his voice tinged with restrained frustration. “I’m really busy and can’t deal with you right now.”
Alicia wasn’t sure if his annoyance stemmed from Caden’s problems or a general disapproval of her, but the urgency of the matter compelled her to persist. She stepped closer to the desk. “I have a proposal that might interest you. Can we discuss it?”
Without looking up, Benedict sighed, his patience clearly waning. “Proceed.”
Alicia handed him a folder. “I’ve been consulting with Jeffrey, the attorney, to understand Blizzard Group’s dynamics. It turns out, before Caden established the firm, it fell under the Moss family’s influence—a detail Caden underestimated, and now Dorian is exploiting that oversight.”