Chapter 558:

Caden started the car. "It's getting late," he said. "Let's head back to Joy Mansion for dinner. That way, we can get home early."

Alicia fell silent. Given the current mood, prolonging their cold war seemed pointless. As they drove, her discomfort grew, finally breaking the silence. "Caden, do I have to go? If I need to see Ciara, I can arrange it another time, but does it really have to be over dinner?"

Caden's brow furrowed. "What are you worried about?"

She pressed her lips together. "Your uncle doesn't like me."

Caden had known this for some time. "There was a misunderstanding. I've been too busy to address it, but today, I told the family I was bringing my girlfriend home for dinner. My uncle won't dare disrespect me."

Alicia smiled bitterly. His heads-up would certainly give his uncle pause, but what then? Caden couldn't always be her shield, and their last clash had already fostered resentment. Who knew what might happen? She dreaded facing him; after all, he had once shown Caden kindness. She couldn't be careless, yet swallowing her pride felt impossible. Keeping her distance seemed the only option.

Taking a deep breath, she began, "Caden, about that day at Joy Mansion, your uncle—"

Suddenly, a jarring Bluetooth ringtone cut her off. Seeing his uncle's name on the caller ID, a knot tightened in her stomach.

Caden answered, putting the call on speaker. "What's up?"

Benedict's voice was displeased. "Why aren't you back yet? Don't tell me you're planning to stand me up again."

"I just picked up Alicia. We're on our way."

Benedict snorted. "She always causes delays."

Caden's displeasure surfaced. "It was my fault, not hers."

Benedict hung up.

A tightness gripped Alicia's chest, her resistance hardening. "Caden, I don't want to go back. I can't stand your uncle!"

Noticing her emotion, Caden watched her, concern creasing his brow. Her blunt criticism of Benedict showed how deeply he'd affected her. "Did he give you a hard time?" he asked.

Alicia looked straight ahead, her voice subdued. "He talks just like you—harsh."

Caden didn't deny it. A sharp tongue, he admitted, was a family trait.