Chapter 396:

While sharing a meal was one thing, truly enjoying the experience was quite another. He sneered, feigning indifference. He knew Alicia's feelings for him well enough, dismissing her dinner with Blake as mere pretense. At most, they shared common academic interests. Yet, inexplicably, he couldn't look away from the photograph.

Caden desperately sought proof Alicia was acting, longed to see their interaction as nothing more than a meal, devoid of deeper connection. But the more he examined the image, the angrier he became. Alicia's happiness was undeniably genuine. In the months since their argument, she'd met him with a deadpan expression or biting remarks. But with Blake, her eyes shone with joy. Their brief two-day acquaintance seemed to unlock a side of her he'd never witnessed.

He switched off his phone, the icy reflection revealing a jealousy he hadn't acknowledged. He ignored Gerry's incessant messages.

“Why aren’t you reacting?”

Ten minutes later: “They finished their meal and walked out together.”

Followed by a barrage of increasingly concerned texts: “It’s unsafe to be out at this time of night. Aren’t you supposed to be dealing with something?” “Caden? What’s going on? Did you drop your phone in the toilet?” “Caden?” “Do you need me to help you fish it out? Caden?”

His irritation mounting, his expression hardening, he finally replied, “Stop sending me messages.”

Gerry, taken aback, tried again after a moment: “You’re not with Alicia anymore?”

Caden responded coldly, “Who she chooses to be with is entirely her decision. I couldn't care less.”

Gerry, stunned into silence, decided against further involvement.

After their meal, Alicia and Blake parted ways. Before leaving, Blake asked, “Would you be able to join me at Joy Mansion tomorrow?”