Chapter 8:

? ? ? ? ?

Alicia let out a dry laugh before casually pulling two fancy knives, a canister of pepper spray, and a handful of other self-defense gadgets from her bag.

The crash of metal and plastic left Hank completely speechless.

“Miss Bennett, my boss just wants to return your belongings, not… kidnap you,” he finally managed, staring in disbelief at the woman’s small arsenal.

Alice blushed embarrassedly.

“Sure… I’m sorry.”

She then lifted the hem of her skirt to remove a small stun gun strapped to her thigh.

Hank's mouth twitched, struggling to suppress his amusement.

Of all the women seeking Caden's attention, eager to secure a place at his side, none had appeared prepared for battle. He'd seen countless beautiful dresses in this line of work, but Alicia… well, she was the first to pair her dress with weapons, looking like she was ready to take Caden down herself.

Hank chuckled. No wonder Caden always seemed so intrigued around him. He was the perfect match for his boss: an unbreakable nemesis.

After receiving the signal from inside, Hank stepped aside and opened the door.

"You can come in now."

Alice took a deep breath. She had steeled herself during the journey, convinced that she would not let him shake her.

But as soon as she entered the office and saw the man behind the desk, her walled fortress instantly crumbled.

No, it couldn't be.

“Caden?” she squealed.

As if hearing the cowardice in her own voice, Alice straightened her posture and lowered her voice.

"What are you doing here?"

Caden, dressed in an impeccable suit that perfectly outlined his masculine figure, looked up lazily.

His posture was relaxed, almost too casual, as if he had been waiting for her all along.

"Why wouldn't I be here?"

Alice's head swam. How the hell was this man so calm? She, on the other hand, felt like she was trapped in an endless nightmare.

Clinging to the hope that this was all a big mistake, she fumbled for her phone to double-check the address.

Caden's lips curved into a slight, knowing smile.

"You are not in the wrong place."

room seemed to drop a hundred degrees. Alice's

that means...

He didn't even blink.

"Yes. It was me."

No… Oh, God, no!

her

in his chair lazily, his eyes

believe me?" he asked in

fingers moved elegantly, revealing a ring that

expression changed abruptly and she lunged

Caden seemed to have anticipated it,

completely caught off guard, stumbled forward, colliding with

momentarily breathless, and his familiar scent filled

voice, soft and

desperate to hug me,

ears burning with embarrassment. She instinctively tried to pull away, but Caden's arm fell, holding her

this? You don't want the ring anymore?” His voice was almost mocking,

raced. It

a constant thorn in his side. But

hard place, she took a moment to carefully weigh her options. Then, determined, she set her gaze on

do I have to do to get

his gaze lingering on her blushing ears. A

"Sit down first."

thigh suggestively, making

at him with disgust on

"Ew, don't be disgusted."

are not seriously negotiating, dear sister-in-law,” Caden said, clearly revealing in

her teeth,

sitting down, he asked in a tense

sit down, will

"Sit down first."

at his mercy, shook

until you promise

ring between his fingers and

the blink of an eye, and she slumped

seeped through the thin fabric of her skirt, an unpleasant sensation spreading across her

unbearable. Every second in his

stop playing around and

faltered slightly, realizing his patience had

softened, though the evil glint

me feel something and the ring will

in a storm of frustration as

"I'm your sister-in-law!"

"Exactly."

face darkened with fury, heat rising to his

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