Chapter 73

Caden stared back, his expression blank. Gerry, interpreting Caden’s calm demeanor as confirmation, shouted, “When did this start? Early or late stages?”

Caden remained silent. Why bother talking to a moron?

The doctor pressed his fingers harder against Caden's wrist, frowning. “I assumed your pallor was due to weakness, but you’re under significant stress.”

Gerry breathed a sigh of relief.

Without hesitation, the doctor asked, “Is your sex life normal?” His tone was casual, almost conversational.

Caden replied coldly, “Forks.”

Gerry’s eyes widened. Hank, nearby, looked equally stunned. Caden? A normal sex life?

The doctor’s fingers twitched. “How often?”

Caden glanced at Alicia, a faint smile playing on his lips. “At least once a day.”

Alicia’s heart sank. Once a day? Why was he looking at her? She wasn't part of this.

The doctor released Caden’s wrist, his expression unreadable.

Gerry asked, “So what’s wrong, Doctor?”

The doctor sighed. “You’re not being entirely honest. The last time I felt a pulse like that was from someone who’d never been intimate with anyone.”

Caden stiffened. “Really, Doc? There’s no need for that.”

Gerry grimaced. “Why are you lying, Caden? Answer his questions.”

Caden countered, his voice firm, “How many times a day do you do this, Gerry?”

Gerry was speechless.

Caden continued, “At least I’m not a virgin. What about you, Mr. Hopkins? At what age did you finally lose yours?”

Gerry’s face flushed. “There’s a lady here! Keep your voice down!”

Unfazed, Caden smirked. “Your reaction says it all. You’re still a virgin, huh?”

Gerry, speechless, turned to Alicia, his face a mixture of shame and despair. “She’s just talking nonsense. Don’t listen.”

Alicia, serenely calm, nodded and answered a ringing phone, moving away from the awkward scene. The tension in her posture, however, betrayed her composure.

The doctor chuckled. “Mr. Ward, it’s nothing serious. Get plenty of rest. As for sex,” he added with a knowing smile, “you’re an adult. Don’t hold back, or you could cause some trouble.”

Caden, expressionless, adjusted his cufflinks.

The doctor offered, “I can prescribe something for that cold.”

“It’s not necessary.”

As Alicia left, Caden’s gaze followed her. He picked up a glass, his gaze settling on Rachel.

Gerry noticed. He stroked his chin. “When did Alicia become so friendly with Randolph and Rachel?”

Caden shrugged. “No idea.”

Gerry mused, “Maybe he’s thinking about joining the bank? It’s absurd he wouldn’t want to work with me.”

Caden’s tone was dry. “Maybe it’s because you’re ugly and you talk too much.”

Gerry balked. “Ugly? I may not outshine you, but I’m definitely better-looking than Randolph.”

Caden smiled. “If you’re not ugly, why are you still single?”

Gerry feigned seriousness. “I haven’t found anyone worth my time yet. Unlike you, I have standards. I don’t chase every woman who comes into the club.”

Hank, startled, wondered when this had happened.

Gerry, remembering something, turned to Caden. “Did you actually call anyone last time? The boss said no.”

Caden took a slow sip of water.

Gerry, persistent, leaned forward. “So, who was the woman you were spooning with that night?”

Caden gave him a dark look. There had only been three people involved. Was it really that hard to figure out? “Why don’t you try using that head of yours and find out?”

Gerry frowned. Caden took another sip of the now lukewarm, unpleasant water. His throat throbbed. Annoyed, he set the glass down.

Gerry exclaimed, “I’ve got it!”

Caden’s voice was dismissive. “You took long enough.”

Gerry smirked. “You bribed the boss, didn’t you? You didn’t want me to know.”

Caden stared, dumbfounded. He turned to Hank. “Are all virgins this clueless?”

Hank blinked.

Caden smirked. “Oh, right. I forgot you’re a virgin, too.”

Hank was speechless. If Alice hadn’t been drugged, you’d still be one, too, he thought.

Gerry gave up, sinking back in his chair. He looked around the room, finding the whole event pointless. He sighed. “Since when do you care about these meaningless social gatherings? Randolph is just a deputy director. You don’t owe him anything, and yet you’re here, sick. What’s the point?”

Caden picked up his glass and stood.

Gerry frowned. “Where are you going?”

Caden glanced back. “Anywhere that’s far from you.”