Chapter 444

He turned, raising an eyebrow. Alicia stood before him, hands clasped, a wide, rosy smile playing on her lips. It was clearly forced, yet charming nonetheless. Caden slowly set down his glass. "Are you possessed or something?"

Alicia ignored his quip and stepped closer. "Are you tired from all your recent business trips?" she asked, reaching for his coat.

Caden narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her. "What have you done, Alicia?"

She blinked innocently. "Nothing at all."

He didn't believe her. Her expression betrayed her. Caden pulled back, sweeping a glance over the living room. "Is your lover hiding somewhere in the house?"

Alicia's lips twitched. "Please. If I were hiding someone, it certainly wouldn't be in Joy Mansion."

"So, he's at your apartment then?"

Alicia frowned. "I'm not hiding anyone!"

Caden knew she would never take a lover. He hummed, eyeing her. "Then what did you do wrong this time?"

Alicia clutched his coat, taking a deep breath. "Nothing, really. I just haven't seen you in a while, and… I missed you a little, is all."

That only solidified his suspicion that she'd made a significant blunder. "Did someone pick on you?" he asked calmly.

"No."

"Is there a problem with the project? Did you lose a million dollars?"

Alicia shook her head. "Not at all. In fact, we've made a lot of profit lately."

"Then… have you committed a murder?"

Alicia's jaw dropped. "Ah, looks like I hit the nail on the head," Caden joked, nodding nonchalantly. "So, you need me to help dispose of the body, is that it?"

Alicia gave him a wry look. "You're thinking too highly of me, you know."

"What the hell is wrong, then?" Caden asked, exasperated.

Alicia sighed. "Do you think you can take a beating?"

Caden's eyes flashed. "Are you interested in trying something exciting?"

"No, no, not with me," Alicia sighed. "I meant, can you handle a beating from your grandma?"

Caden glanced toward the back garden, a thought forming. Alicia quickly grabbed his hand. "That's right, the birds flew away. But it wasn't on purpose, I swear! I was so excited when you arrived that I accidentally released them. I had no idea they were so eager to escape…"

Caden felt a headache coming on. "You do realize those are Grandma's birds, the ones she keeps by her bed every night? And you let them fly away?"

Alicia's anxiety grew with each of Caden's words. "Come on, you're her grandson. She wouldn't punish you. Me, on the other hand… She might kill me. I'll owe you one, okay? Just take this hit for me, please?"