Chapter 9

Hank's sudden voice startled Alicia, causing her to recoil as if she'd seen a ghost. But Caden, despite the agonizing pain he'd just endured, wasn't about to let her escape so easily. His hand shot out, restraining her as he barked at the door, "Let him in."

All the color drained from Alicia's face.

"Caden, are you crazy?" she hissed, her voice laced with panic. Their disheveled state was a disaster; if Joshua saw them like this, the divorce would be impossible.

Caden, still in pain, maintained a cold, unyielding expression. "Scared now? You weren't so shy before."

Alicia stared at him in disbelief, her defiance rising. "You're the one who got me into this mess!"

Before he could reply, the door opened, and Hank's footsteps echoed down the hallway. Instinctively, Alicia tried to flee, but Caden's strong arm circled her waist, pinning her against the desk. Desperate, she bit him hard, a ferocious bite, not a playful one. Caden's eyebrows furrowed in pain, his grip loosening involuntarily.

The approaching footsteps gnawed at Alicia's composure. With no other option, she slipped under the desk.

Joshua entered to find a disheveled Caden slumped in his chair, his hair tousled, his expression unreadable. Ever the pragmatist, Joshua quickly attempted to smooth things over. "Caden, I'm sorry. Did I arrive at a bad time?"

Under the desk, Alicia huddled, her heart pounding. She felt Caden's gaze burning into her hiding place, half expecting him to expose her.

A thick, tense silence hung in the air. Then Caden slowly leaned back, his chair creaking, and reached for a tissue to dab at the bleeding bite mark on his hand. His voice, icy, pierced the silence. "Of course. A minute earlier, and you would have witnessed something much more… interesting."

Joshua chuckled. "I thought you didn't involve yourself with women."

"That depends on the woman," Caden replied, his voice cold and languid.

Alicia's body stiffened; familiar tension coiled in her spine. Joshua, attempting to lighten the mood before discussing business, forced a smile. "Oh? What kind of woman would make you break your own rules?"

Caden let out a low, almost sinister laugh, his eyes narrowed. "Do you really want to know?"

The sudden shift in his tone sent a ripple of unease through the room. Joshua's confidence faltered, his smile wavering. "Who's the girl?"

For a moment, the air crackled with tension. Alicia could almost hear Joshua's mind connecting the dots, leading to her. But Caden relished toying with his stepbrother. He let the question hang before casually shifting the conversation. "So, what brings you here?"

Joshua swallowed, the words catching in his throat. He pulled Lilliana close, using her as a shield. "I came to discuss the entertainment company you recently acquired," he said, his voice strained. "Caden, I know you just returned, and likely have a plan, but Lilliana's situation… it's delicate. If you're willing to withdraw from the deal, I'll pay you double."

Alicia's heart sank. She hadn't expected Joshua's audacity to parade his lover so openly. Lilliana? The name Monica had mentioned… the woman who'd purchased the drugs.

She strained to hear every word, her pulse racing. Lilliana, composed and smooth, began her explanation in a practiced tone. But Caden barely seemed to register her words; his attention remained fixed on Joshua, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Double, huh? A generous offer. What exactly is your relationship with her that warrants such charity?"

"She's my girlfriend," Joshua replied smoothly.

Caden's smile deepened, his dangerous gaze shifting from Joshua to Alicia under the desk. "Your wife, huh? That explains a lot." He leaned back, the sneer in his smile sharp. "But tell me, Joshua, before making such a generous offer, shouldn't you consult with your wife?"

"Alicia never gets involved in these matters, nor does she have the right to," Joshua stated flatly.

Caden cast a languid glance at Alicia, curled up under the desk, trying to disappear. She hugged her knees to her chest, her face pale.

Caden tossed the blood-stained handkerchief aside, his voice icy as he addressed Joshua. "That's enough. Your money means nothing to me."

Joshua, anticipating this, remained calm and countered. "Then I'll triple it, if that's what you want."

A mocking smile touched Caden's lips. "You must truly treasure your precious lover, huh?" His devilish charm even made Lilliana blush.

Joshua's expression hardened. He pulled Lilliana away, her voice dropping to a dangerous tone. "If you have problems, talk to me. Leave her out of it."

Caden's gaze didn't waver. "You're not important enough for me to bother."

Frustration flashed across Joshua's face, but he knew better than to argue. Caden had always dominated him, casting a shadow Joshua could never escape. Pushing further would only invite further humiliation.

Sensing the tension, Lilliana smiled smoothly, attempting to defuse the situation. "Mr. Ward, I apologize. We overstepped. Since the deal is done, it would be unfair to ask you to withdraw. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will be leaving now."

It was a graceful exit, sparing Joshua further embarrassment. But as they turned to leave, Joshua's gaze fell upon something: a familiar purse on the coffee table. Alicia's.