Chapter 4:

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Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?"

That word again: “divorce.” Irritation flashed in Joshua’s eyes.

“Why the rush?” she snapped, her voice cold and cutting. “My father is finalizing his will, and if word of my divorce gets out, it will ruin my position. Now, gather your things, we will dine at the Yates mansion this evening.”

With Caden's return, the family was organizing a welcome dinner for him.

They also hoped that by doing so, it would lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father.

However, maintaining the farce of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alice's mind.

"I'm not going," he announced curtly. "Just finalize the divorce and stop wasting my time."

Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth.

“Oh, come on, Alice. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't really want to leave me, do you? “You can’t stand the thought of being without me.”

He leaned toward me, smiling, and added, “You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we get divorced, I'll still take care of you, as long as you make me happy.”

Alice's eyes widened, disbelief turning to anger.

Did he hide the ring?

Couldn't stand being without him?

His arrogant words sounded like nails on a blackboard to Alice's ears. With a sharp sneer, she replied,

“Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I make you happy? Don't worry, I'll give you back the ring; you wouldn't want this plain Jane bothering you, would you? Once you have it, we’ll finalize the divorce immediately.”

But Joshua was unfazed by her venom.

He thought he knew her too well, convinced that it was just another ploy to get her attention.

Without thinking twice, he threw a bag at her.

have guests today. Dress appropriately and

she had visited the mansion dressed in modest and discreet clothing, doing her

of obedient wife. After putting on her

softness of her skin and the delicacy of her

Joshua saw her coming down the stairs, he stood still

look more seductive than usual. Or maybe it was the color of her cheeks,

Passion? Sex?

tightened in

else could have slept with her? He must have thought too

of the Yates mansion, the two slipped into their usual roles, easily disguising the tension

through Joshua's, their movements synchronized

great hall was bustling with life, relatives filling the space

her, but for some reason, as soon as Alice crossed the threshold, a sharp

at the other end of the room. With his legs crossed and his dark shirt

her to

her attitude

word escaped her

his name sent a chill down his spine. To her, Caden was

their paths had crossed for the first time when they were both

her school and, from that moment on, Alicia's perfect world began

late she stayed up studying, Caden was always one step ahead. He edged her

else would have accepted defeat,

But not Alice.

of living up to her name. Excellence wasn't just a goal, it was the currency with which she could win her parents' affection. Failure wasn't

he had his eye on her from the very beginning, and Alice,

and in the shadows. Their final showdown

that moment, her sights set on perfection. And she achieved it, getting a perfect score. But Caden, ever the snake, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, to come in second

said nothing. She waited for his anger to subside and asked quietly, “I'll be graduating soon. “Will you be back?” Her mother, Donna,

Donna, who were rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation,

apart, leaving her

that day, he had not challenged Caden again. Caden then left Warrington

inheritance," Joshua muttered, his

“With a family empire as large as ours,

His brow furrowed slightly.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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