Chapter 15:

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The next morning, Lilliana saw Alicia's message, and fury boiled inside her. She stormed into the room, her voice sharp and cutting as she confronted Joshua.

“Explain yourself. What did you want me to ‘think carefully’ about?” His words dripped with accusation. “What kind of shady business have you gotten yourself into this time?”

Joshua, who had spent the entire night preparing his excuse, remained calmly calm. He knew she would attack him like this.

"She's impulsive, you know. After what happened, I was worried she might cause a scandal on the Internet, so I paid her to keep quiet."

Lilliana’s eyes narrowed, skepticism etched on her face. “And why didn't you think to talk to me about this first?”

Joshua used his usual charm, pulling her close, wrapping his arms around her like a comforting blanket.

“Don't make a big deal out of it, my love. If I was interested in her, do you think I would have gone to all this trouble?” His voice was soft, almost pleading, as he gave her a tender kiss on her lips.

His explanation seemed reasonable, and despite her doubts, Lilliana was inclined to believe him.

Little by little, the tension in her shoulders dissipated and she let herself be carried away by the warmth of his embrace.

“It's okay,” she whispered after a moment, resting her head on her chest. “But don't contact her again.”

“Of course.” Joshua, sensing victory, reassured her with a quick nod. “Besides, I paid Caden a fortune to keep him out of our way. “This is all… for us.” His words worked like a charm.

Pouting like a spoiled child, Lilliana snuggled into him and murmured, “It's okay, I forgive you.”

But in her mind, Alice was far from forgiven. She would give that bitch a piece of her mind in due time.

Those two slaps, satisfying as they were, had nearly given Lilliana a concussion.

Alicia knew Lilliana wouldn't let it go, and to avoid dragging Monica into the inevitable storm, she quietly rented a new apartment. As she packed her bags, Monica hovered nearby, looking worried.

“Are you sure you have enough money?” Monica asked, looking at Alicia with concern.

He knew full well that Alice had left her marriage with nothing, so he pulled out his phone and started typing. “Here, let me transfer you some money.”

Alicia quickly squeezed Monica's hand, stopping her. “I’m fine,” she assured her friend with a soft smile. “Remember, I did some side hustle work before all this.”

"Oh, yes, I had

lit up like she remembered something else. “Guess what? Yesterday, Gerry Hopkins announced his new movie,

a mixture of amusement and

scoffed. “I mean, how dare she? She's way over her head. Doesn’t

mischief on her face. “That's

smile. “I have to go. Try not to miss me too much while I'm gone,

settling into her new apartment, Alicia quickly

take long for her phone to ring and Gerry's name lit up on

to challenge Lilliana about

smile. “There's still a long way to go until the release date. By then, you'll have

amusedly. “You haven't changed, Alice: you're still competing with everyone, just

just here to make

money than I can spend,” Gerry replied with a hint of mockery. “But I don't have enough time to indulge in your little games. What’s a married woman like you doing in

lowering her voice as she said something that made Gerry

again, this time a little more seriously. “Okay, I’ll look

be waiting," Alice replied softly, with a

in his eyes evident in his tone. “Guess what? “He’s going

in disbelief. “Has she gone completely

but then his tone

thinking of hiring

he leaned back in his chair. “You've

"I have my reasons."

mischievous glint in his eyes as he

this point, Caden's patience had run out. Not wanting to waste time with Gerry's trivial games, I abruptly

later, Gerry's number flashed

of defiance, of daring. “How about this, Caden? Let's make a

practically oozed through

leaned back, considering for a moment before finally agreeing. “Fine,” he said, his tone firm. “Your turn. Have

I was just about

“Don't bother. “Send

and signed their contract a few days ago. But now, with Alicia entering the

knew how these things worked, so without hesitation, Alice headed there as soon as

Thinking it would be a quick visit, she headed for the elevators,

do you have an

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