Chapter 713

Caden’s jaw clenched, anger surging. He kicked his chair aside and stormed out, his mind consumed by unspoken fears.

Benedict set out immediately, his thoughts racing. Regardless of the rumors surrounding Alicia, he needed to see the situation firsthand. If they were false, he’d be relieved. If true, he had to mitigate the damage, at least until Caden was free of his current commitments.

His car screeched to a halt outside the hotel. The chaos of the lobby hit him the moment he entered. Benedict’s chest tightened—he might be too late.

Pushing through the crowd, he hurried upstairs, ignoring curious stares.

Inside the suite, Alicia was jolted awake by the noise. Her eyes fluttered open, her head throbbing. Disoriented, memories of the previous night flooded back in fragmented flashes.

Dread filled her stomach. She sat up, the blanket slipping to reveal she was in her undergarments, red scratches marring her skin. Her breath hitched as she saw Blake beside her, equally undressed and motionless. Dried blood under his fingernails and on the white sheets horrified her. A shattered vase explained the cut on his arm. Blake's face was pale, almost lifeless, as he lay unconscious.

Heart pounding, Alicia quickly dressed. She shook him, her voice trembling.

“Blake… wake up.”

He didn't move. Then, a commotion erupted outside. Alicia’s pulse quickened as reporters surged into the room, cameras flashing, blinding her. Clutching a torn blanket, her mind blanked. This was precisely the scandal they craved. Cameras crowded her, questions and accusations flying.

Dizzy with shock, Alicia stood paralyzed. A figure pushed through the frenzy, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest. She squinted, thinking, “Caden?” But as her vision cleared, she saw Benedict. Hope died instantly.

Benedict, breathless and disheveled, surveyed the scene. Shock and disgust hardened his features. Without warning, he struck Alicia across the face. The sound echoed sharply.

Alicia was thrown back, colliding with the bed. Her hair cascaded over her face, adding to her disarray.

“You wretch! How could you betray Caden like this?” Benedict's rage was palpable, his words clipped and harsh.

Blood filled Alicia’s mouth, trickling from a split lip. Numbness throbbed across half her face, but the pain was secondary. Her trembling hands instinctively cradled her abdomen as she curled inward, desperately seeking escape from the unfolding nightmare.