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

shot Gerry was hinting at, could it

smile. "I'm really curious, Caden.

few seconds of silence, he replied haughtily, “It's not

eyebrow, intrigued. “What do

Just then, a light knock on the door interrupted their

and announced, “Mr. “Ward, Mr. Hopkins, your drinks have arrived.” Behind

Instead, they slid gracefully into the seats next to

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

acknowledge the girl sitting

gaze lingered on her for a moment, cold and distant, as if he were studying her rather than savoring the

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

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

surprised by his sudden

up that easily. Clients as wealthy as Caden didn't come along every day, and she wasn't about to let

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

an

eager anticipation, nodding quickly, confident that

door creaked open again and Alice stepped in. The air in the private room was filled with emotion as

her eyes

eyes scanning the girl before settling on Gerry and

asked, his

It was Caden. “He was the one

eyes naturally shifted to

shirt that clung to his sculpted torso, making

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

touch seemed so matter-of-fact, so

those same skillful hands with other women

mischief in her eyes as she took her

voice. “Impotent men tend to compensate

raised his head, his gaze locked

the tension could 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 do? “I have forced her

nearly popped out of

corner of his mouth twitched, and he

are far more wicked things,

felt a lump in her

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