Chapter 40:

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Alice had also begun to notice that someone had been discreetly helping her behind the scenes.

His first instinct was to call Monica.

When Monica answered, she sounded frustrated. “I hired trolls to trash Lilliana online,” she admitted. “But I don't have the money to censor searches. Those things cost a fortune, and my dad blocked my credit card. “I’m sick of him.”

Alicia thought about Monica's words, and only one other person came to mind: Gerry.

Without delay, he called him, and his suspicions were confirmed.

Feeling a little uncomfortable, Alice said quietly, “It's just gossip, people talking behind my back. It's not like they're physically harming me. You really didn’t need to waste your money on this…”

Gerry, comfortably lying down, put her on speakerphone but didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked at Caden, who was sitting across from him.

Caden, his long legs crossed casually, had his eyes glued to his phone, scrolling mindlessly. He gave no sign of joining the conversation.

Undeterred, Gerry turned his attention back to Alicia. “I didn't spend that much,” he finally replied. “The real help came from another big shot.”

Alice frowned, confused. “Who is this mysterious benefactor?”

Once again, Gerry's gaze shifted to Caden, but he didn't reveal the answer right away, instead choosing to mock her.

“Are you free?” he asked, smoothly moving on to another topic. “Come on. “We can chat, have some fun, and I’ll introduce you to this ‘big fish.’”

Alice took the hint immediately.

She had always had a good working relationship with Gerry, and now that she was in a bind, he was helping her out by offering her the chance to meet someone powerful. That was how things worked: mutual benefits, carefully cultivated relationships.

"What's that big fish like?" she asked. "I'd like to give him something."

Hearing this, Gerry's eyes sparkled with mischief. "He's… well, let's just say he's not as strong as he used to be. Maybe you could get him some Viagra."

Alice was momentarily speechless, and then replied with dry humor: 'Mr Hopkins, do you happen to have any shady side business?'

Gerry couldn't help but laugh. "If they ever come to an agreement, it will be a miracle."

understanding flashed in Alice's

shot Gerry was hinting at, could it

lick his lips and smile. "I'm really

of silence, he

eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you mean

didn't answer, his expression unreadable. Just then, a

Mr. Hopkins, your drinks have arrived.” Behind him followed a

away. Instead, they slid gracefully into the

pulling her close as she giggled,

acknowledge the girl sitting next to

as if he were studying her rather than savoring the

Ward,” she said in a soft, hopeful tone, “would you

expression hardened, his eyes darkening with irritation. “No need,” he said flatly, turning his head

girl's smile faltered, clearly surprised by his sudden change

Caden didn't come along every day,

cruel,” she said, moving closer despite her reluctance. “Tell

at her, an uneasy tone in

eyes lit up with eager anticipation, nodding quickly, confident that

in. The air in the private room was filled with emotion as

them especially distressed, wiping her eyes with

her eyes scanning the girl before settling

her?” he asked, his lips curling

clearly amused. “Not me. It was Caden. “He was the one who bullied her and made

naturally shifted

signature black shirt that clung to his sculpted torso, making even the most mundane color look dangerously

alone radiated a charm that was hard to resist. Despite his

intimate moments when Caden's touch seemed so matter-of-fact, so devastatingly skilled. A strange emotion stirred within her

he use those same skillful hands with

mischief in her eyes as

“Impotent men

his gaze locked with

escalate, Gerry's boisterous laughter broke the silence. “That's exactly what happened! That girl tried her best to seduce him, and what did Caden

eyes nearly popped out of

of his mouth twitched, and he grumbled, “That’s…

the moment, his tone quiet and eerie. “There are far more wicked things, Miss Bennett. “Perhaps next

a lump in her

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