Chapter 150

Alicia realized she had greatly underestimated Caden's wealth. Surrounded by a sea of luxury cars, her amazement was palpable; it seemed an endless tunnel of extravagance, surpassing any car exhibition she'd ever witnessed. Caden, arms crossed, observed her repeated gasps of wonder.

He chuckled lightly. "What? You don't like any of these?"

Alice looked at him, perplexed. "Are these cars real, or just for show?"

"Half real, I guess," Caden joked. "Mostly secondhand."

Alice remained skeptical. His personality seemed incongruous with settling for secondhand vehicles. Despite the impressive array, all the cars were black, and beyond make and model, nothing truly distinguished them. She felt disinterested.

"Do you have anything else?" she asked.

Caden raised an eyebrow, amused by her unease. He would usually dismiss such a request, but his good mood prevailed. "There are a few more cars in the garage at home."

"That seems like too much trouble," Alice muttered, resigning herself to choosing a license plate.

However, nearing the end of the collection, a striking motorcycle caught her eye. Her excitement was evident. "Caden! I want this one!"

Caden looked at her, then frowned slightly. "You're a little too mature to be riding around town on that, don't you think?" His preference usually leaned towards more mature vehicles. He barely remembered who had gifted him the motorcycle—a new model from a collaborative brand, gathering dust since its arrival. He hadn't shown much interest in it himself.

Undeterred, Alicia touched the bike. "I'm keeping it. I rode one in college, and it was incredibly cool." Caden saw her genuine delight, a child in a candy store. He shrugged, removed his jacket, and approached. His physique resembled an international male model, particularly his strong, slender legs. She mounted the bike, handling it like an experienced rider. Alicia clung tightly, her legs dangling as her feet couldn't reach the ground. Caden donned his helmet, noticing her struggle with the safety buckle. He helped her.

Alice then saw the helmet's display light up, like a panther's eyes at night. She smiled. "How cool."

Caden chuckled, clarifying, "I meant the helmet."

Knowing her admiration, he simply smiled and revved the engine. Alicia hugged him securely. He’d said it was a ride for young thrill-seekers, but he drove it aggressively, like a race car, weaving through traffic with precision. Initially, Alice laughed, but after several near-misses, only screams escaped her. The ride was so intense it felt as if her soul struggled to keep pace.

They weren't far from Monica's house, yet Caden circled the overpass several times. Late in the day, he finally slowed. "Do you want to go for another ride next time?" he asked the woman clinging to him.

Alicia, arms tight around his waist, voice trembling, managed, "Yes." Caden laughed heartily.

Approaching Monica's house, Caden slowed. Exhausted and sleepy, Alice removed her helmet and leaned back. Suddenly, an animal darted in front of them. Caden braked sharply, avoiding an accident. Alice snapped to alertness, confused.

"What just happened?"

Caden looked into the distance. They had nearly run over a scruffy old dog, now trembling, pawing at the motorcycle. Alice gasped, seeing a tiny, barely alive puppy on the ground. "She's trying to get us to help her baby," she murmured.

Caden's expression hardened. "Leave it," he said, ready to depart.

But Alice couldn't leave it and dismounted, immediately picking up the seemingly month-old, starving puppy. Instinctively, the puppy began sucking on her thumb. Caden looked away, feeling nauseous. The mother dog had died shortly after Alicia picked up the pup.

Heartbroken, Alicia looked at Caden pleadingly. "Caden, we have to…"

Caden cut her off. "No way."

Alice paused, surprised. Realizing he wouldn't help, she said, "Then I'll take care of it myself." She wrapped the shivering pup in his helmet. "Look, Caden, it fits perfectly."

Noticing her determination, Caden asked, "And where do you plan to store it?"

"At first, I'll leave it with Monica, and when I have my own house, I'll take it there," she explained.

Caden frowned deeper. "Are you not going to stay in my house anymore?"

"Why should I stay there?" Alice replied, puzzled by his tone.

Caden replied curtly, "For convenience."

Alice was momentarily speechless, remembering her temporary stay at his house before their recent argument. She considered his question. "If I decide to keep the puppy, will you let me keep it?"

Caden was speechless, unsure how to respond.