The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 9:

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Hank's sudden voice sent a jolt through Alicia, making her pull her hands back as if she'd seen a ghost. But Caden, who had been in agonizing pain just moments ago, wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily. His hand shot out, holding her as he barked at the door, “Let him in.”

All the color drained from Alice's face.

“Caden, are you crazy?” she hissed, panic in her voice.

The two of them were in a mess with their clothes in a mess. If Joshua came in now and saw them like this, he would never agree to the divorce!

Caden, still in pain, kept his face cold and unyielding.

"Are you scared now? You weren't so shy when you tried to break my cock before."

Alicia looked at him in disbelief, her rebellion coming to the surface.

"You're the one who got me into this mess in the first place!"

Before he could say anything else, the door opened and Hank's footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Without thinking, Alicia turned to fleece, but Caden's strong arm wrapped around her waist, pinning her between him and the desk.

Desperate, Alice lashed out. She grabbed Caden's hand and sank her teeth into him, hard.

It wasn't a playful bite, it was a ferocious bite. Caden's eyebrows furrowed in pain as his grip involuntarily loosened.

The footsteps came closer and closer, each one wearing down Alicia's composure. With no other choice, she pushed past Caden and knelt down, slipping under the desk.

As soon as Joshua entered, he was met by a disheveled Caden slumped in his chair, his hair disheveled and an unreadable expression shadowing his features.

Being a man, Joshua was quick to put things back together.

“Caden, I'm sorry; “Did I come at a bad time?”

Underneath the desk, Alicia curled into a ball, her heart pounding in her chest. She could practically feel Caden's gaze burning into her hiding spot, half expecting him to expose her at any second.

A thick, tense silence hung in the air for a few moments.

Then Caden slowly leaned back, his chair creaking under the movement, and reached for a tissue to press against the bleeding bite mark on his hand.

His voice, like ice, pierced the silence.

“Of course. A minute earlier and you would have witnessed something much more… interesting.”

Joshua laughed. “I thought you didn't get involved with women.”

“That depends on the woman,” Caden replied, his voice cold, almost lazy.

Alicia's body stiffened, a familiar tension rising up her spine.

Joshua, trying to lighten the mood before talking business, forced a smile. “Oh? So 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 change in his tone sent a ripple of unease through the room.

Joshua’s confidence wavered and his smile faltered. “Who's the girl?” I have asked.

For a brief moment, the air between them cracked with tension.

Alicia could almost hear Joshua's mind working, connecting the dots that pointed to her. But Caden was enjoying playing with his stepbrother.

He let the question hang in the air for a little while longer before casually changing the conversation.

"So, what do you bring here?"

Joshua swallowed, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

He pulled Lilliana close to his side, using her presence as a shield.

“I came to talk about the entertainment company you recently acquired,” he said, his voice a little too strained. “Caden, I know you just got back, and I know you probably have an elaborate plan in place, but Lilliana's situation… it's delicate. If you’re willing to back out of the deal, I’ll pay you double.”

Alicia's heart sank. She hadn't thought that Joshua, shameless as he was, would have the nerve to parade his lover in public.

Lilliana?

It was the same name Monica had mentioned… the name of the person who had bought the drugs.

She strained to catch each word, her pulse racing. Lilliana, carefully composed, began speaking in a soft, practiced tone as she explained her case.

But Caden barely seemed to notice her words. His attention was focused on Joshua, a cold smile on the corner of his lips.

“Double, huh? A very generous offer. What exactly is your relationship with her that you are so charitable?”

“She's my girlfriend,” Joshua replied without missing a beat.

Caden's smile deepened, his dangerous gaze shifting from Joshua in front of him to Alicia beneath his desk.

“Your wife, huh? That explains a lot.” He leaned back, the sneer in his smile as sharp as a knife. “But tell me, Joshua, before you make 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 do so," Joshua said flatly.

At this, Caden cast a lazy glance at Alicia, who was curled up under the desk, trying to make herself invisible.

Alicia hugged her knees to her chest, her face colorless.

The poor thing looked so fragile.

Caden tossed the blood-stained handkerchief aside with a casual motion, his voice icy cold as he addressed Joshua.

"That's enough. Your money means nothing to me."

Joshua was expecting it.

He remained calm and quickly proposed a counteroffer.

"Then I'll triple it, if that's what you want."

A mocking smile tugged at the corner of Caden's lips.

"You must really treasure your precious lover, huh?"

His devilish charm and undeniable attractiveness made even Lilliana blush.

Joshua's expression hardened. He pulled Lilliana away, her voice dropping to a dangerous tone.

"If you have any problems, talk to me. Leave her out of it."

Caden's gaze did not waver.

"You're not important enough for me to bother."

A flash of frustration crossed Joshua's face, but he knew better than to argue.

Caden had always towered over him, casting a shadow Joshua could never escape. Pushing further would only open up more opportunities for Caden to humiliate him.

Lilliana, sensing the tension, smiled softly, trying to smooth things over.

“Mr. Ward, I apologize. We crossed the line. Since the deal is already done, it would be unfair to ask you to step back. Sorry for the inconvenience. “We will continue on our way.”

It was a graceful exit, sparing Joshua further misfortune.

But as they turned to leave the office, Joshua's gaze fell on something: a familiar purse on the coffee table. It was Alicia's.

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