Chapter 97

Alice remained silent for ten seconds, creating an awkward silence in the room. Hank, outwardly calm but inwardly panicked, worried she might end the call. After a brief pause, Alice spoke.

"Caden asked me to come here on some business, correct?"

She was skeptical of Caden's motives, but she knew Hank was shrewd.

"It seems Caden has something important to discuss," Hank admitted, surprised by his own frankness. "Mr. Ward gave no specific reason for the meeting. He only insisted I ensure you were here within twenty minutes."

"Did he mention anything in particular?" Alice asked. Hank paused. "I mentioned the Gray family."

Alice understood. He paused, thoughtful. To break the silence, Hank joked, "Although Mr. Ward isn't planning a striptease, I'd be willing to do one if it would ensure his arrival."

Alice giggled, then her mood darkened. "It's alarming how much Caden pushes everyone to their limits." Hank felt conflicted. The job was well-paid, but demanding. He awkwardly reminded her, "Mrs. Bennett, we only have twenty minutes, and five have already passed."

"Okay, I'll be right there," Alice confirmed.

Hank was touched by her kindness, thinking it was no wonder Caden valued him. Alicia arrived at the company in eighteen minutes. Hank greeted her with coffee. "Thank you, Mrs. Bennett."

Accepting the coffee, Alice felt a pang of guilt, wondering if her manipulations had caused Hank trouble. "Mr. Ward is waiting," Hank gestured toward the office.

As she went through security, Hank noticed what looked like a spray can in her bag. "Miss Bennett, is that pepper spray?" he asked, his curiosity piqued by her preparedness. Ensuring Caden's safety was paramount.

Alicia was momentarily stunned, then clarified, touching her purse. "Oh, that's not pepper spray." Finding it difficult to explain, she left her bag outside, hoping to ease his worries. Hank trusted her and didn't take the bag. He knocked on the CEO's office door to announce her arrival. Both Caden and Alicia clearly understood the purpose of their meeting.

With a mix of persuasion and insistence, Caden had Alicia sit on his lap. Feeling anxious but resolute, Alice cautiously asked, "Have you decided to accompany me to the Gray family's house?"

Caden replied sarcastically, "Just because you're on my lap, you think I'm easy to persuade?"

Alice paused, her gaze fixed on his lips. She leaned closer. As their lips neared, Caden tilted his head, his lips brushing her cheek as he asked, "Do you know what I want?"

Struggling to maintain her composure, Alice replied, "One kiss should do it." Wondering about his intentions, she looked into his dark, piercing eyes.

"Aren't you worried that I might take things further?" Caden probed.

With instinctive confidence, Alice replied, "You won't."

"And why?" he insisted.

"You once said you wanted my voluntary participation," Alice recalled firmly. "You will not coerce me."

Caden laughed at her assertiveness, his breath warming her face. She thought, "How many men can truly be trusted? What if I break my word?" Then she mockingly reminded him, "Remember that I've been a troublemaker since my youth. Don't forget you once lost to me in our past challenge."

Alicia felt overwhelmed, her heart pounding. Instinctively, she tried to pull away. Caden pulled her closer. He kissed her, catching her off guard. Sensing his dominance, she inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself, though he quickly released her.

He looked at her intently, noticing her reaction. Breathless, Alice's lips parted. Bewildered, she looked into his eyes.

"Did you expect me to kiss you before we got here?" Caden asked.

Alice, surprised, stammered a denial. "Not…"

Caden moved closer, his intense gaze making the moment seem endless. "You were too little for me before, but today you are surprisingly sweet," he observed.

Alicia, speechless, blushed deeply, remembering the fruit-flavored breath spray she had used. Realizing how foolish her preparations seemed, she firmly pushed him away, declaring, "Now that we've kissed, I'm leaving."

Caden didn't loosen his grip. Caught in his firm hold, Alicia stopped resisting. When he moved to kiss her again, she shyly covered her eyes. Caden's voice, soft but clear, taunted, "It seems you were eager for my kiss." His smile increased her embarrassment.

Trying to regain her composure, she retorted, "I would react like that to anyone."

Caden, intrigued, asked, "Oh? How many men have you kissed?"