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."

Alice's clammy hands trembled as she slowly

means...

He didn't even blink.

"Yes. It was me."

No… Oh, God, no!

as if her world had turned upside

watching her unravel, leaned back in his

believe me?" he asked in

fingers moved elegantly, revealing a ring that sparkled in

changed abruptly and

to have anticipated it, gently lifting his arm out

caught off guard, stumbled forward, colliding with

breathless, and his familiar scent filled her

voice, soft and mocking,

to

ears burning with embarrassment. She instinctively tried to

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

mind raced. It was obviously a

a constant thorn in his side. But leaving it to Caden? This

place, she took a moment to carefully weigh her options. Then, determined,

do I have to do to

with amusement, his gaze lingering on her blushing ears. A wicked

"Sit down first."

thigh suggestively, making her stomach

at him with disgust on her

"Ew, don't be disgusted."

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

teeth, Alice

down, he asked in a

down, will you give

"Sit down first."

at

you promise

twisted the ring between his fingers and held it up to the open

the blink of an eye, and

seeped through the thin fabric of

moment unbearable. Every

stop playing around and give it to

smile faltered slightly, realizing his

evil glint

Make me feel something and the ring will be

thoughts swirled in a storm of frustration as

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

"Exactly."

with fury, heat rising to

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