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

Gerry was hinting

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

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

raised his eyebrow, intrigued. “What

didn't answer, his expression unreadable. Just then, a light

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

served drinks, but didn't leave right away. Instead,

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

however, didn't even acknowledge the

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

soft, hopeful tone, “would you like something to eat?

turning his head away as if his presence repulsed him.

clearly surprised by his sudden change of

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

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

looked back at her, an uneasy tone in

nodding quickly, confident that her

door creaked open again and Alice stepped in. The air in the private room

leaving, one of them especially distressed, wiping her eyes with trembling

the girl

her?” he asked, his

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

naturally shifted to

in his signature black shirt that clung to his sculpted torso, making even

presence alone radiated a charm that was hard to

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

same skillful hands with other women

in her eyes as

his voice. “Impotent men tend to

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

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

nearly popped out

mouth twitched, and he grumbled, “That’s… really

quiet and eerie. “There are far more wicked things, Miss Bennett. “Perhaps next time I’ll show

felt a lump in

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