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

was hinting

"I'm really curious, Caden. Why

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

eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you

then, a light knock on the door

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

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

him, pulling her close as she giggled, taking a sip of her drink from him. He leaned back in

the girl sitting next

lingered on her for a moment, cold and distant, as if he were studying her rather than savoring the moment. The girl, unaccustomed to

said in a soft, hopeful tone, “would

turning his head away as

faltered, clearly surprised by his sudden

wasn't about to give up that easily. Clients as wealthy as Caden

Ward, don't be so cruel,” she said, moving closer despite her reluctance. “Tell me what you like, I can

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

lit up with eager anticipation, nodding quickly, confident that her persistence was paying

Alice stepped in. The air in the private room was filled

wiping her eyes with trembling hands as she

eyes scanning the girl before

asked, his lips

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

naturally shifted

black shirt that clung to his sculpted torso, making

but his presence alone radiated a charm that was hard to

through Alicia's mind, those intimate moments when Caden's touch seemed so matter-of-fact, so devastatingly skilled. A strange

he… did he use those same skillful hands with

blinked, a glint of mischief in

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

his gaze locked with

laughter broke the silence. “That's exactly what happened! That girl tried her best

nearly popped

of his mouth twitched, and he grumbled,

and eerie. “There are far more

felt a lump

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