Chapter 95

Caden questioned Alice, "Are you afraid of him?"

Alice didn't deny her fear. "Randolph isn't a good man. Many people fear him." In her vulnerable state, she felt exposed and susceptible. His own resolve felt weak.

Caden spoke calmly. "You're terrified just thinking about meeting him. Do you really think you can help Joshua with his problems?" Alice was shocked, momentarily forgetting her fabricated story. She hesitated. "Courage isn't constant; it varies with circumstances."

Caden laughed knowingly. "So fear has gotten the better of you."

"Yes," Alice admitted, striving to maintain composure. "But fear isn't permanent," Caden assured her. "Don't worry, Randolph isn't going to eat you."

Silence fell between them, broken only by the ongoing call. Alice sensed an unresolved issue, but struggled to articulate it. Finally, she broke the silence. "What's with all the silence?"

Caden, losing patience, declared bluntly, "I'm waiting for you to beg me."

Surprised, Alice retorted, "Who said I was going to beg?"

"You're hesitant because you need my support at the Grays', right?" Caden pointed out sharply. "Randolph might know something, posing a threat. You're looking for protection, aren't you?"

Alice replied defiantly, "You're the one who told me about him. If he seeks revenge, you can't just walk away."

Caden laughed at her seriousness. Randolph was irrelevant to him. "Yes, he's a dangerous man. I'm completely petrified," he said sarcastically.

Alice was speechless, her anxiety palpable as she tossed and turned in the sheets. Caden had struck a nerve.

Caden offered kindly, "Should I ask Joshua to accompany you?"

Alice quickly interrupted, "No!"

"Why not? What's wrong with me seeing your efforts?"

"I want it to be a surprise. He doesn't need to know yet."

Caden sneered softly, "How touching."

Embarrassed, Alice felt the conversation had to end. Why had she called him? She knew he wouldn't simply offer help.

"I'm going to hang up," he muttered. Unbeknownst to him, his tone sounded charming. His hearing seemed momentarily dulled. He grabbed a bottle of strong wine from the bar, drinking it quickly. The alcohol burned his throat, igniting a heat in his heart. He couldn't quell his inner turmoil.

Meanwhile, in another house, Joshua emerged from the shower. Lilliana embraced him.

"Why do you come home so late these days?" she asked. "You're always at work, and you come home too late. We hardly spend any time together."

Joshua pinched her playfully. "You're pregnant, try not to get too upset."

Lilliana lightly slapped his chest. "I'm not nervous. I just miss you."

Joshua felt the lack of intimacy keenly. He couldn't confide in Alice, and Lilliana's pregnancy exacerbated things. His low spirits were evident.

Lilliana noticed his distraction. "What are you thinking about? Someone else?" she joked.

Joshua hesitated, then changed the subject. "Someone else? Hardly."

"We're running out of my father's medicine. It's rare, and only certain individuals, like Caden, can get it."

Lilliana sensed an underlying question. "Is Caden causing trouble again?"

"It's always a potential problem as long as he's around," Joshua confessed.

Lilliana calmed him, tracing patterns on his chest. "Don't worry about the medicine. My father can manage things if Caden gets difficult. He's manageable."

Joshua relaxed, reassured by her support. "Lilliana, you always know what to say."

Her eyes held a sensual gleam. A few months into her pregnancy, they had limited physical intimacy after near-mishaps jeopardizing the baby's safety. They'd adopted a cautious approach.

"Joshua, I've taken care of you many times before. Isn't it your turn?" she murmured, snuggling closer. Normally, Joshua wouldn't hesitate. However, as he reached under Lilliana's clothes, he recoiled, gasping in surprise.

Lilliana was surprised. Knowing her attractiveness and his love for her physique, her reaction was disconcerting. "Does that disgust you?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Joshua, does my pregnancy disgust you?" Her anger flared.

Joshua, equally perplexed by his own reaction, didn't understand the sudden change. Lilliana, angry, moved to leave the bed. Joshua, concerned for her and the baby, quickly reassured her. "I'm just tired today and don't feel well. It has nothing to do with disgust."

In frustration, Lilliana slapped him hard.