Chapter 19:

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The sleek black car stopped in front of the old apartment complex.

Alicia got out without looking back, her heels clicking softly on the pavement as she drove away. Inside the car, Hank watched her retreating figure.

With a wry smile at the corner of his lips, he broke the silence. “Mr. Ward, you like Miss Bennett, don't you?”

Caden's face remained impassive, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"Have you been drinking? What's this nonsense about?"

Hank cleared his throat awkwardly, sensing a change in the atmosphere. “But if you didn't like her, then why did you kiss her?”

A slight crease formed between Caden's brows as he turned his head just enough to catch Hank's gaze in the rearview mirror. “If the moment called for it, I could kiss anyone, even you.”

Hank blinked, completely caught off guard. “Huh?”

Caden, uninterested in Hank's confusion, looked away at the weathered building before them.

The place was old, not exactly rundown, but far from comfortable, with peeling paint and windows that had looked better days. Compared to Joshua's luxurious villa, it was a stark contrast, a far cry from the life Alicia had known. It was clear she had left with nothing but her pride, and this apartment was the bitter reminder.

Typical Joshua. He never left anything for those he discarded.

Leaning back in his seat, Caden's fingers drummed rhythmically on the armrest, his expression cold and distant. “Let's go.”

At the hospital, Lilliana lay in bed, stiff with worry.

She rested her hands on her small belly, her breathing was labored, and she barely dared to move. Fear for the baby consumed all her thoughts.

Joshua hovered over her, obedient and attentive. He catered to her every whim, making sure the press never found out where they were. Every detail was handled with precision: not a single photograph could be allowed to leak to the media.

peace, although it was far from restful. Lilliana, whose earlier anger

persisted, stubborn as ever, until Joshua began to gently coax her. Slowly, she slowed and let him hold her, though a shadow of warning still lingered in

he muttered, his voice low but firm, "I'm leaving

silent, his gaze

soft ring from his

his seat, avoiding Lilliana's curious

the apartment complex and left shortly after. We

deleted the message,

Lilliana was finally discharged from the hospital, the first thing she heard was news about the theme

muttered, his eyebrows furrowing in disbelief. Had he heard correctly? A sneer spread across his

smile, nodded. “Yes,

expression hardened, her nails digging into her palm as she gritted her teeth. “They’re

Gerry arched an eyebrow innocently. “I hadn't heard. “I thought you

Lilliana's nerves, making her wonder if Gerry held some unspoken grudge against

competes against me,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Rest assured, Mr. Hopkins. “I

laughing, his howls filling the entire

betting on Alice,” he said,

chill running through

she added with a chuckle. “Caden supports you.

apparent lack of taste.

she quickly took out her

that composer, Iris?” he

absentmindedly replied,

around to make

up from his task. “You're working with Caden now,” he replied flatly. “Don't

with fierce determination. “I'm competing against Alicia. “I have to completely outshine her.” However, beneath her bragging tone was

recent rise to fame had been rapid, but her new songs? They lacked the spark

crush Alice, but composing his own music

name making him waver, and he finally

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