Chapter 178

Gerry chuckled. “Alicia visited me yesterday. She wanted to attend the art show but lacked an invitation. She asked for my help, and I obliged.”

Caden drained his wine glass in one gulp. “Did I ask for your commentary? You’re a chatterbox,” he retorted.

Gerry shrugged. “Alicia possesses more grace than you. A small favor to me meant a great deal to her. She even composed a theme song for my next movie to thank me.”

Caden’s demeanor shifted subtly. I recalled the previous night, passing the studio and seeing Alicia surrounded by handwritten papers, her eyes red and tired. I’d assumed she was preparing lessons; she was writing a song for Gerry.

Gerry sighed. “Her eyes were bloodshot this morning. She must have stayed up all night.”

Caden swirled his wine thoughtfully. “When did she meet you?” he asked.

“Around noon,” Gerry replied. “She even introduced me to her friend Monica.”

Caden pursed his lips. Earlier, Alicia’s call had ended abruptly, with faint background noises; he’d suspected another man. Seeing Gerry now, a fleeting doubt crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He was certain nothing romantic existed between them.

“Honestly, stop making things difficult for her,” Gerry said, nudging Caden. “I’m considering hiring her. I don’t want her to get into trouble with me because of your attitude.”

Caden replied coldly, “I’ve never made things difficult for her.”

“Stop denying it,” Gerry countered, his eyes narrowing. “The tension between you two was palpable. You looked like you wanted to kill each other.”

Caden fell silent before changing the subject. “So, when’s your movie coming out?”

“After Christmas,” Gerry replied. “The last one did well, but the profits weren’t great after expenses.”

“I’ll finance half of the new movie,” Caden offered casually, swirling his drink.

Gerry, surprised, looked at him suspiciously. “Why? What are you up to?”

“What could he possibly want?” Caden replied sharply.

“You tell me. We’ve been friends for years,” Gerry said, stepping back, half-joking. “There’s no such thing as a free lunch. What’s wrong with you? Are you in love with me or something?”

“I have a crush on your mother,” Caden replied sarcastically.

“Damn!” Gerry exclaimed, laughing. “So that’s your real agenda?” Caden rolled his eyes, setting down his glass. “Forget it. The offer’s off.”

Gerry quickly changed his tone. “Wait, no need to rush. I wouldn’t turn down free money.”

Since entering the industry, Gerry’s rise to fame had been swift, largely due to family support. Their help had been invaluable, but it weighed on him. Caden knew Gerry had always wanted to achieve something significant independently.

“When it’s a success, we’ll share the profits,” Gerry suggested with a smile.

“I know a lost cause when I see one,” Caden commented dryly.

After a pause, Gerry returned to the question. “Why are you suddenly so eager to support me?”

Caden shrugged nonchalantly. “I have more money than I know what to do with.”

Gerry stared, speechless.

Meanwhile, Alicia was captivated by a famous painting. Its grandeur made her feel insignificant; everything felt surreal. She’d inherited her mother’s artistic talent but rarely explored it. Her father had forbidden her to pursue art, leading to frequent parental arguments. Despite her exceptional talent, her mother, fearing difficulties, had encouraged her to hide it, protecting her throughout the years.

Gazing at vibrant flowers, Alicia reached out to touch them, tears welling in her eyes. Their stunning beauty was ephemeral, like her mother's memory. Lost in thought, a tear escaped. She felt a presence.

Wiping her tears, she turned. “Hello, Mrs. Bennett?” The person smiled warmly. “What a nice surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here.” Alicia felt a flush of flattery.

“Hello.”

He gave her a business card. Noticing its relation to art, her eyes lit up.

“I saw you at Mr. Hopkins’ film premiere. You stood out,” he said, his tone conveying genuine admiration. “You seem interested in art. If you need anything, please contact me.”

“Thank you,” Alicia replied humbly, putting the card in her purse.

After a moment, he asked, “You must have seen harsh online comments about me. Why did you contact me?”

He seemed puzzled by his doubts. “Keyboard warriors are losers. You have talent, and true success takes time. I can see it in you.” A bittersweet feeling washed over him; he smiled gently. She added him on WhatsApp.

He commented, “It’s rare to find someone as successful as you at twenty-four and still so humble.”

Alicia joked, “How should it be, then?”

He subtly gestured toward Caden, standing nearby. Despite his prestigious status and the attention he commanded, Caden wore a perpetually cold expression.

Gerry remarked, disgusted, “So what if he acts like a big shot? At twenty-five, he’s already CEO of Blizzard Group. He’s earned the right to a little arrogance.”

Alicia was speechless.

Shortly after, she noticed Caden staring at her. Turning to the man, she said goodbye and began writing his name on WhatsApp. A shadow fell over her screen.

“Pretty busy, aren’t you? Do you like older men?” Caden asked mockingly.

Alicia looked up to see him standing before her.