Chapter 17:

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Alicia was shocked. She looked at Caden, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

Caden's expression remained inscrutable as he spoke briefly on the phone. His actions were always decisive and efficient, and this time was no different.

“Mr. “Ward?” Lilliana blinked, coming out of her daze in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

The commotion had already attracted the attention of passers-by, and a small crowd of curious onlookers was beginning to gather.

Lilliana tried to get out of the car, but Joshua grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.

“Stay in the car. There might be paparazzi lurking around here.” He rolled up the car window, keeping his gaze fixed on Alicia and Caden through the glass. “I’ll handle this.”

Lilliana was still irritated. She had planned to humiliate Alicia but she hadn't expected Caden to be there. How did the two of them know each other?

Lilliana put her sunglasses back on, muttering under her breath in frustration, “That bitch! It hasn’t even been that long since your divorce, and she’s already with your brother!”

Joshua's face darkened at his words. As much as I have hated to admit it, Lilliana's comment stung.

He clenched his jaw, unbuckled his seatbelt, and got out of the car.

The first thing Joshua noticed was how Alicia was holding Caden's jacket around her shoulders. She stood behind Caden, seemingly expecting him to protect her from everything.

The sight fueled Joshua's anger, and his expression grew grimmer with each step he took toward them.

"Caden," he acknowledged, then reached for Alicia's hand.

“Give him back his jacket,” Joshua snapped. “I’ll take you home.”

Alice didn't even give him a chance to touch her. She pulled her hand away, her face indifferent as she asked, "Who are you?"

Caden remained impassive, his face showing no emotion. The confrontation between Joshua and Alicia seemed insignificant to him, but he stood firmly between them, a silent barrier.

“Stop being so stubborn,” Joshua said through gritted teeth. “Your clothes are soaked. You need to come home with me, right now.”

Alice replied defiantly.

sleeve and clung to it

her delicate fingers. When he looked up again, he found Alicia staring at him, looking lost

me home,

Caden could respond. “Why the hell are you acting

his arm around Alicia's waist, pulling her into his embrace. He looked at his

the car behind them, reminding Joshua that there was a woman

clenched into fists, his frustration

word, Caden put Alicia in his car and they drove off, while the curious people continued to whisper among

backseat door slammed shut, Alicia let go of Caden's

sleeves where she had grabbed him. “You're just throwing me aside after using me

seat, sitting up straight with her legs pressed together and her hands in her lap.

his waist. After a moment of reflection, he pulled out his phone

this for?” Caden asked, his eyes narrowed

stains on it. “You probably don’t

screen of his phone. “This isn't

audacity. Why was he being so

much exactly?" she asked,

another thousand fifty,” Caden

widened. "What kind of second-hand jacket costs a

you don't

finished speaking when Alice replied,

Caden's turn to

yet. She continued: "Why don't you be so kind and give me back the fifty

lip twitched. Without a word, he unlocked his phone and accepted the money

out a little cry

now and then, she tugged at the collar of her shirt to let in some air, trying

for her, Caden always carried a change of clothes in

extra shirts and tossed it to her. “Put

how to feel about his offer. “It's okay. “I’ll take a shower as soon as I get

out,” Caden replied flatly, without even

she suddenly sworn off

reluctance, Caden closed the partition, blocking Hank's view of the backseat. Alicia carefully removed her jacket. “Can

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