Chapter 380

"He has a past," Caden casually added. "Make sure you bring extra security when you take him along. He might swipe a painting."

Blake was momentarily speechless. "Caden…"

"Don't you have a history? When I was four, you had a craving for white chocolate but weren't allowed any, so you talked me into stealing some," Caden remarked.

Blake was lost for words. Alicia, surprised, asked, "You two know each other?"

Recalling the episode, Blake gave Caden a stern look. "We met at a family event when we were kids. We hardly know each other."

Caden seemed intent on chipping away at Blake's composure. "Exactly," Caden said, "I'm just his uncle. Nothing more."

Blake's voice deepened. "Caden, are we done here?"

"I'm your uncle. Shouldn't there be some respect?" Caden retorted.

Blake remained silent, then firmly took Alicia's wrist and led her toward his car. Caden frowned at their hands. Before he could react, Alicia withdrew her hand and followed Blake, saying, "Don't mind the madman."

Caden's expression softened. He disregarded Alicia's comment. Just then, his phone buzzed. Hank's voice, serious and urgent, filled the line: "Mr. Ward, Jerald has arrived at the office."

Jerald looked a decade older. With Joshua imprisoned and Jerald's discovery of Joshua and Sheila's conspiracy to make him ill, things had spiraled. Sheila's placement in a mental health facility added to his fragile state. After the New Year, key employees left his company, jeopardizing years of hard work. Desperate, he'd sought Caden's assistance. Yet, despite his predicament, Jerald maintained an air of superiority as he waited.

Caden exited his car, his presence imposing. Jerald scowled. "I'm your father! I come to see you, and your staff tells me I need an appointment!"

Caden stood firm against the breeze, his posture strong, contrasting sharply with Jerald's bent and weakened form. Caden responded bluntly, "The policy at headquarters is that irrelevant individuals can't enter."

"Irrelevant? I'm your father!" Jerald retorted.

"From the day my mother left, we ended all ties," Caden said, his smile sharp. "So, whatever you've come to ask for, don't expect any sympathy from me."

Jerald's face darkened. He hadn't even stated his request, and Caden was already dismissing him. He panted in frustration. "Legally, I am your father. You can't change that! Do you really want to challenge me in court?"

Caden smiled coldly. "I was the one who put Joshua in jail. Do you really want to be next?"