Chapter 8

Alicia let out a dry laugh and casually produced two fancy knives, a canister of pepper spray, and several other self-defense gadgets from her bag. The clatter of metal and plastic rendered Hank speechless.

“Miss Bennett, my boss merely wishes to return your belongings, not… kidnap you,” he finally stammered, staring incredulously at her small arsenal.

Alice blushed, embarrassed. “Sure… I’m sorry.” She then lifted her skirt to reveal a small stun gun strapped to her thigh.

Hank's mouth twitched, barely suppressing a smile. Of all the women vying for Caden's attention, none had seemed remotely prepared for battle. He’d seen countless beautiful dresses, but Alicia… she was the first to pair hers with weapons, as if ready to subdue Caden herself.

Hank chuckled. No wonder Caden found him so intriguing; they were perfect counterparts—unbreakable nemeses.

After receiving a signal from within, Hank opened the door. "You can come in now."

Alice took a deep breath. She'd steeled herself during the journey, determined to remain unshaken. But upon entering the office and seeing the man behind the desk, her composure crumbled.

"Caden?" she gasped.

As if aware of the weakness in her voice, Alice straightened and lowered it. "What are you doing here?"

Caden, impeccably dressed in a suit that highlighted his physique, looked up lazily. His relaxed posture suggested he'd been expecting her.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

Alice's head spun. How could he be so calm? She felt trapped in a nightmare. Clinging to the hope of a mistake, she fumbled for her phone to verify the address.

Caden's lips curved into a knowing smile. "You are not in the wrong place."

The room grew colder. Alice's clammy hands trembled as she met his gaze. "So, that night…"

He didn't blink. "Yes. It was me."

No… Oh, God, no! Alice felt her world tilt.

Caden, watching her unravel, leaned back, his eyes fixed on her. "You still don't believe me?" he asked slowly.

Her fingers moved, revealing a ring that sparkled in the dim light. Alice's expression changed, and she lunged for it. But Caden anticipated her, lifting his arm out of reach. Alice stumbled forward, colliding with his chest. The impact stole her breath; his scent filled her nostrils.

Caden's voice, soft and mocking, rumbled. "So desperate to hug me, huh?"

Heat flushed Alicia's neck. She tried to pull away, but Caden's arm held her. "What is this? You don't want the ring anymore?" His voice dripped with mockery.

Alice's mind raced. Without the ring, Joshua would be a constant problem. But leaving it with Caden? His plans would be far worse. Caught between a rock and a hard place, she weighed her options. Then, determined, she fixed her gaze on Caden and asked coldly, "What do I have to do to get the ring?"

Caden's eyes gleamed with amusement, lingering on her blushing ears. A wicked grin spread across his lips. "Sit down first." He slapped her thigh suggestively, making her stomach churn.

Alice looked at him with disgust. "Ew, don't be disgusted."

“Ah, but you’re not seriously negotiating, dear sister-in-law,” Caden said, reveling in her discomfort.

Gritting her teeth, Alice reluctantly approached. Just before sitting, she asked tensely, "If I sit down, will you give me the ring?"

"Sit down first."

Refusing to be at his mercy, Alice shook her head. "Not until you promise."

Caden twisted the ring, holding it towards the open window. Her resolve shattered, and she slumped onto his lap. The heat from her body seeped through her skirt, an unpleasant sensation spreading across her skin. Her pulse quickened; the intimacy felt unbearable. Every second felt like torture.

"Caden, stop playing games and give it to me!"

Caden's smile faltered; his patience had thinned. His voice softened, though the glint in his eyes remained. "Please me. Make me feel something, and the ring is yours."

Alice's thoughts swirled in frustration. "I'm your sister-in-law!"

"Exactly."

His face darkened with fury. Caden's lips curved into a smile, but his eyes were as dangerous as a venomous snake. He knew how to push her buttons. But Alice wouldn't back down.

“Fine, but I need to blindfold you,” he declared, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

Caden raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Are we getting creative?"

"Are you going to put the blindfold on, or should I?"

Caden laughed, a low murmur. "Do what you want."

Without hesitation, he removed his tie and tossed it to her. Alicia took it, her grip tightening as her nerves threatened to betray her. Calmly, she placed it over her eyes, securing it in place. Despite the darkness, Caden remained motionless, allowing her to proceed.

Women had never aroused him before, but that night, something inside him had changed, as if a dormant switch had been flipped. Now, he wanted to understand what had changed.

Alicia took a deep breath, her fingers brushing his waist as she began to remove his shirt. A subtle warmth bloomed beneath her hands as they slid beneath the fabric, tracing the lines of his body. His touch, gentle but deliberate, sent a chill through her.

However, Caden couldn't help but sneer. He could formulate impeccable strategies against his rivals, but against Joshua, it all seemed meaningless.

All this for a stupid, cheap ring? Pathetic.

Then, without warning, his fingers found his most vulnerable spot. Pain shot through him like lightning; he jerked, veins bulging in his neck.

“Argh!”

His hand clamped onto her wrist. But before he could react, a knock on the door broke the tension.

“Mr. Ward,” Hank's voice came from the other side, “Mr. Joshua Yates has an urgent matter to discuss with you.”