The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 22:

? ? ? ? ?

As soon as Caden finished speaking, Gerry's eyes snapped open. It took him a few seconds to process that Caden was standing next to him.

Eyes wide, Gerry removed his headphones and asked, confused, “When did you get here?”

"Right now, actually."

Caden had arrived late, so Alicia had already finished recording the song. There was no way she was going to perform it again just because he had walked in. Not that it mattered, Caden wasn't particularly interested in music. He was there to have fun, nothing more.

But Gerry's reaction was something else entirely. "It's exactly what I imagined; in fact, more than I expected. No wonder he can compete with you for the top spot. He's very talented, Caden."

Caden studied him, intrigued. Gerry, a man rarely impressed, especially when he came to other artists, seemed unusually enthusiastic.

“Oh, yeah?” Caden replied, his tone deliberately nonchalant. “I guess I’m going to lose our bet.”

“You better get that groundwork ready for the handover,” Gerry joked with a smirk as he handed the lyric sheet to Caden. “Don't feel too bad about missing the recording session. Here, check out his lyrics instead. Maybe you can learn a thing or two from his lyrics.”

Caden picked up the piece of paper and scanned the page silently. He let out a sigh, raising an eyebrow. “I thought your movie was about Transformers fighting zombies. Why are the lyrics so… heartfelt?”

“What?” Gerry's mood changed instantly. His bright eyes narrowed, irritation creeping into his tone. “Zombies”? Really? It's a heartwarming sci-fi movie. Didn't I send you a copy? Haven’t you seen it?”

“Oh, I don't watch cartoons,” Caden replied nonchalantly.

snapped indignantly. “It's 3D animation! It's not a cartoon. “I spent

that moment, the door creaked and Alice

and stared. The warm light from the recording booth spilled into the room, casting a soft

but tired. “Mr. Hopkins, let's wrap things

looked

an exclusive rooftop restaurant downtown.

would

restaurant, located in the city center, was a thirty-minute drive away. Gerry settled into the passenger seat, while Alicia and Caden shared the backseat. Without saying anything to each other, they gravitated toward their respective windows,

flipping through the listings for the best properties. He was looking for photos of expensive and hard-to-find

with disdain, his tone cold. “Why don't you go get the White House while

can get it, I'll take it,” Gerry joked without missing a

one of these,” Gerry said, completely

“Careful. You don’t want to count your

sharp. She quickly stiffened, pretending to be absorbed in the scenery outside. Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her

but his gaze lingered for a moment before returning

Caden and Gerry quickly left. Alicia, however, remained in her seat. “Mr. Hopkins,” she called with an apologetic smile, “come in. “I

knew how much women cared about their appearance, simply agreed. “There's no hurry. When you're ready, tell the concierge to bring you up. Use

"Thank you."

him, Gerry strolled casually, recounting the latest showbiz gossip

nowhere, Caden stopped dead in

I left my phone in the car.

eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, and cast a suspicious glance