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."

of understanding flashed

shot Gerry was hinting

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

paused, his eyes never leaving the screen. After a few seconds of silence, he replied haughtily, “It's

intrigued. “What do you mean by

then, a

entered with a warm smile and announced, “Mr. “Ward, Mr. Hopkins, your drinks have arrived.” Behind him followed a number of strikingly

didn't leave right away. Instead, they slid gracefully

the waist of the girl next to him, pulling her close as she giggled, taking a sip of her drink

the

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

said in a soft, hopeful tone, “would

darkening with irritation. “No need,” he said flatly, turning his head away as if his presence

clearly surprised by his sudden change

give up that easily. Clients as wealthy as Caden didn't

so cruel,” she said, moving closer despite her reluctance. “Tell me what you like, I can do anything to

at her, an

eyes lit up with eager anticipation, nodding quickly, confident

and Alice stepped in. The air in the

wiping her eyes with trembling hands as she let out silent

curiosity piqued, her eyes scanning the

her?” he asked, his lips curling into a

It was Caden. “He was the one who bullied her and made her

naturally shifted to

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

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

seemed so matter-of-fact, so devastatingly skilled. A strange emotion stirred

those same skillful hands with

mischief in her eyes

he said softly, a mocking tone in his voice. “Impotent men tend to

gaze locked with his eyes,

the tension could escalate, Gerry's boisterous laughter broke the silence. “That's exactly what happened! That girl tried her best to

nearly popped

his mouth twitched, and

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

lump in

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