The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

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."

flash of understanding flashed in Alice's

Gerry was hinting at, could it

but lick his lips and smile. "I'm really curious, Caden. Why did you

never leaving the screen. After a few seconds of silence, he replied haughtily, “It's not help. Consider it a

raised his eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you mean

a

Hopkins, your drinks have arrived.” Behind him

came in and served drinks, but didn't leave right away. Instead, they slid gracefully into the seats next to

close as she giggled, taking a sip of her drink from

the

were studying her rather than savoring the moment. The girl, unaccustomed to such a

Ward,” she said in a soft, hopeful tone, “would you like something to eat? “I can

he said flatly, turning

clearly surprised by his sudden change

up that easily. Clients as wealthy as Caden didn't come along

despite her reluctance. “Tell me what you like,

looked back at her, an uneasy tone in his voice.

girl's eyes lit up with eager anticipation, nodding

the door creaked open again and Alice stepped in. The air in the

women were leaving, one of them especially distressed, wiping her eyes with trembling hands

curiosity piqued, her eyes scanning the girl before settling on Gerry

you harassed her?” he asked, his

“Not me. It was Caden. “He was the one who bullied

eyes naturally shifted to

was dressed in his signature black shirt that clung to his sculpted torso, making even the most mundane color

face showed no emotion, but his presence alone radiated a charm that was hard to resist.

of the surveillance footage flashed through Alicia's mind, those intimate moments when Caden's touch seemed so matter-of-fact, so devastatingly skilled. A strange emotion stirred within her as a thought crossed

use those same skillful hands with other women

of mischief in her

mocking tone in his voice. “Impotent men tend to compensate

his head, his gaze locked with

the silence. “That's exactly what happened! That girl tried her best to seduce

popped out

mouth twitched, and he

and eerie. “There are far more wicked things, Miss Bennett. “Perhaps next

a lump