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 in Alice's

was hinting at, could

and smile. "I'm really curious, Caden. Why did you suddenly decide

never leaving the screen. After a few seconds of silence, he replied haughtily,

eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you mean by

unreadable. Just then, a light

entered with a warm smile and announced, “Mr. “Ward, Mr. Hopkins, your drinks have

didn't leave right away. Instead, they slid gracefully into the seats next to

the girl next to him, pulling her close as she giggled, taking a sip of her drink from him. He leaned back in his

acknowledge the girl sitting next to

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

a soft, hopeful tone, “would you like something to eat? “I can feed

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

smile faltered, clearly surprised by

that easily. Clients as wealthy as Caden didn't come along every day, and she

moving closer despite her reluctance. “Tell me what

her, an uneasy tone in

girl's eyes lit up with eager anticipation, nodding quickly,

and Alice stepped in. The air in the private

distressed, wiping her

eyes scanning the girl before settling on Gerry

asked, his lips curling into

Caden. “He was

naturally shifted to

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

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

touch seemed so matter-of-fact, so devastatingly

same skillful

a glint of mischief in her eyes

“Impotent men tend to compensate by

raised his head, his gaze locked

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

nearly popped out

of his mouth twitched, and he

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

a lump

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