Chapter 338:

Caden grabbed her hand. "Don't touch. I don't want you getting hurt." Their attacker screamed, reaching for the bottle to strike again.

Alicia narrowed her eyes. Leaning on Caden for support, she stood and delivered a swift kick, sending the acid bottle clattering to the ground. The woman clutched her stomach, groaning in pain.

Caden quickly shed his jacket, but the acid had already burned through his shirt. He was more concerned with the immediate threat, however, and moved toward Alicia. She grabbed the woman, but Caden pulled her back. "Check for danger before touching her," he scolded. "Have you forgotten everything I taught you?"

Still shaken, Alicia let go, breathing heavily. Caden stepped in front of her, pressing down on the woman's hand to prevent resistance. He yanked off her mask. It was Shelia. They hadn't seen her since Joshua's imprisonment, assuming she was heartbroken and ill. Yet here she was, plotting revenge.

Seeing her plan thwarted, Shelia glared with bloodshot eyes. "Caden," she cursed, "you haven't seen the last of me! As long as I breathe, I'll find a way to kill you!"

Caden sneered, unbothered. He felt no need to engage further. "Call the police," he instructed Alicia.

In a last desperate act, Shelia clung to Caden's leg. "If you have the guts, kill me, Caden. Otherwise, I'll haunt you as a ghost!"

Caden forcefully pushed her away. Shelia continued to hurl threats as she writhed in pain. Alicia put down her phone. "The police are on their way," she announced, examining Caden. "Did the acid hurt you?"

As they settled into the car, Caden reassured her, "No, it only got on my clothes." After she looked away, he subtly pulled down his sleeve.

The police arrived shortly after and took Shelia into custody. Alicia started the car, her brow furrowed with concern. "Are you sure you're okay?" She vaguely remembered the acid splashing mostly onto his arm when he'd protected her; even his jacket sleeve had been severely damaged. He was now wearing only his seemingly undamaged shirt.

He fixed his eyes on her. "You've asked that three times now. Are you really that concerned about me being injured?"