Chapter 236
Alice briefly closed her eyes, bracing herself for horror. She expected revulsion at the gruesome scene, but when Joshua's anguished cry pierced the air, an unexpected wave of joy surged through her. Years of betrayal, deception, manipulation, and the coldness in her heart had weighed heavily upon her; in that moment, those burdens seemed to lift. A small giggle escaped her lips, though tears threatened.
Caden pulled her into a tight embrace. She trembled, her body a conduit for the storm within. The thought of her parents also being victims of Joshua's cruelty fueled a fierce urge to kill him. Yet, killing him wouldn't change anything; he deserved his suffering, and justice, however brutal, was being served. Caden would clean any blood; a task he’d never before undertaken, but one he was ready for now.
Alicia eventually regained her composure. Caden gently kissed her cheek. "Come inside and rest," he said, wiping sweat from her hand. "You have low blood sugar. Have something sweet." Alicia insisted she was fine, but her deathly pale complexion contradicted her. He started to leave, then paused. "I still have something to do," he said firmly.
He put an arm around her waist. "What happened before wasn't enough." Alicia pointed to the ferocious dog. "That dog took a piece of Monica's calf," she said, her voice strained. "I want Joshua to lose a piece of meat, too." Caden chuckled softly, his amusement tinged with admiration. "I thought you brought the dog to enjoy the show," he said.
Alicia shivered, dizziness threatening to return. Caden gestured for a bodyguard to bring candy. He unwrapped a strawberry candy and gently placed it in her mouth. She frowned. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Strawberry candies are too sweet," she replied. "If you don't like it, spit it out," he said disdainfully, guiding her toward the living room. "I went to the trouble of feeding you, and you keep complaining."
Alicia rolled her eyes. Spotting a plate, she asked, "Do you have any grapefruit-flavored candy?" "There's a meat-flavored one," he joked. "I have it. You want to try it?" Alicia blinked, then her competitive spirit flared. "I want it freshly made. You bring it to me." Caden smiled knowingly.
As they entered the living room, the two bodyguards exchanged amused glances. Alicia froze, realizing they'd overheard. Shame washed over her. The bodyguards coughed awkwardly, bowed, and left. Caden didn't immediately enter; he had unfinished business.
Joshua had endured two hours of relentless torture before being sent to the hospital. Alicia, however, was consumed by work and left before Caden. Later, in the back of his car, a cigarette between his fingers, Caden watched a video recording of Joshua's injuries. With a flick of his finger, he forwarded it to Jerald, then extinguished his cigarette. His expression held no remorse.
The bodyguards regarded Caden with unwavering respect. Despite the brutal conflict with his brother, he remained calm and dominant, a man destined for greatness. Suddenly, Caden broke the silence. "Bring grapefruit-flavored candy for the living room." "Yes, Mr. Ward," the bodyguards replied. But Caden paused. "Forget it." The bodyguard offered to send someone out, but Caden refused, realizing he shouldn't indulge her whims. He flicked ash from his cigarette, then discarded it, disliking the smell.
Meanwhile, Jerald, after watching the video, was consumed by rage. His already fragile condition worsened. Shelia, distraught, threw a tantrum, demanding answers. Jerald, worried for Joshua, struggled to breathe. "What does Caden want?" he gasped. Shelia sobbed, screaming, "What else does she want? Joshua dead! How could he do this to his own brother?"
Jerald fell silent, deep in thought. A memory from years ago flashed in his mind; his face paled, fear gripping him. He clutched his chest. "Pill! I need my pill!" Shelia quickly retrieved his medication. While he waited for it to take effect, Shelia asked, "Jerald, will you help Joshua or not?"
He spoke weakly but firmly, "If that bastard is so bold, he should be prepared. I cannot act blindly." Shelia's face twisted in disbelief. "What are you saying? You're going to let it go? You want to see Joshua dead?" Jerald lost his patience. "Calm down! It's not something that can be solved overnight."
Shelia’s anger flared. She knew him intimately—his self-centeredness, unreliability, and tendency to disappear when problems arose. Her resolve hardened. "If necessary, I will confront Caden directly, even if it means we both fall together!"