Chapter 40:

? ? ? ? ?

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

shot Gerry was hinting

Gerry couldn't help but lick his lips and smile. "I'm really curious, Caden. Why did you suddenly

leaving the screen. After a few seconds of silence, he replied haughtily, “It's not help.

intrigued. “What do you mean

didn't answer, his expression unreadable. Just then, a light knock on the door interrupted their

“Mr. “Ward, Mr. Hopkins, your drinks have arrived.” Behind him followed a number of strikingly attractive women, all

came in and served drinks, but didn't leave right away. Instead, they slid gracefully

next to him, pulling her close as she giggled,

acknowledge the girl

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

Ward,” she said in a soft, hopeful tone, “would you like

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

surprised by his

easily. Clients as wealthy as Caden

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

back at her, an uneasy tone in his

anticipation, nodding quickly,

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

leaving, one of them especially distressed, wiping her eyes

the girl before settling on Gerry and

asked, his lips

laughed, clearly amused. “Not me. It was Caden. “He was the one who bullied her and made her

eyes naturally shifted

shirt that clung to his sculpted torso, making even

alone radiated a charm that was hard to resist. Despite his coldness,

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

those same skillful hands

blinked, a glint of mischief in her eyes as

in his voice. “Impotent men tend to

head, his gaze locked with his eyes, his eyes glinting

laughter broke the silence. “That's exactly what happened! That girl tried her best to seduce him, and what did Caden

eyes nearly popped

corner of his mouth twitched,

quiet and eerie. “There are far more wicked things,

felt a lump in

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255