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."

understanding flashed in

shot Gerry was hinting at, could

ending the call, Gerry couldn't help but lick his lips and smile. "I'm really

seconds of silence, he replied haughtily, “It's

“What

then, a light knock on the

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

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

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

the girl

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

soft, hopeful tone, “would you

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

smile faltered, clearly surprised

as wealthy as Caden didn't come along every day, and

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

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

and Alice stepped in. The air in the private room was filled with emotion as she took

her

eyes scanning the girl before settling

her?” he asked, his

Caden. “He was

eyes naturally shifted to

to his

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

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

he use those same

in

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

his gaze locked with his eyes, his

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

popped out

corner of his mouth twitched,

are far more wicked things,

lump in

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