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.

Dress appropriately

she had visited the mansion dressed in modest and discreet clothing, doing her best to go unnoticed,

Alice no longer cared about playing the role of obedient wife. After putting on her suit, she carefully applied just enough makeup to enhance the glow of

touches accentuated the softness of her skin and the

saw her coming down the stairs, he stood still

look more seductive than usual. Or maybe it was the color of her cheeks, as if she had just experienced the

Passion? Sex?

heart tightened in his

slept with her?

Yates mansion, the two slipped into their

movements synchronized as they walked towards the

the great hall was bustling with life, relatives filling the space with

reason, as soon as Alice crossed the threshold, a sharp chill prickled her

With his legs crossed and

commanding gaze pinned her to

noticed the change in her attitude

word escaped her lips, barely

mere mention of his name sent a chill down his spine. To her, Caden was the

families' friendship, their paths had crossed for the

sabbatical year, moved to her school and, from that moment on,

tried, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always one step ahead. He edged her out by the smallest of margins—a point, maybe

would have accepted defeat, settling into the role

But not Alice.

was the currency with which she could win her parents' affection. Failure wasn't an option, and yet Caden had the audacity to take everything she'd worked away from her with what

her from the very beginning, and Alice, stubborn to

lasted for more than a decade, a relentless battle waged both openly and in the shadows. Their final showdown took place at university, just before graduation,

it, getting a perfect score. But Caden, ever the snake, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was

at his ranking. Alicia, accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to subside and

and Donna, who were rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic

Alice's world fell apart, leaving her an orphan in this cruel

again. Caden then left Warrington to build his

for the inheritance," Joshua

as large as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up

His brow furrowed slightly.

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

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