Chapter 148:

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Alice fell asleep on the bed in the dimly lit living room.

Caden, on the other hand, was still fully awake, despite the passion they had just felt.

Her body vibrated with a feeling of fullness, satisfaction running through her veins.

He pulled out the flash drive Randolph had passed him earlier, and until now Caden hadn't bothered to look at his contents.

He had intended to watch it with Alicia, but she had grown tired of it faster than expected.

A wry smile played across his lips. In fact, he had made sure of it. Exhausting her had been part of his plan: a clever way to keep her complacent, perhaps even to convince her to cook for him.

Caden plugged in the USB and clicked on the audio file, and the next second a humming sound came out of the speakers.

The crackling sound came unmistakably from a secret recording, untouched and raw.

Caden's nonchalant demeanor changed as the recorded conversation filled the room. At first, it seemed like just another piece of incriminating evidence, something banal in its criminality. But as the recording continued, a deep crease formed between his brows.

His gaze shifted to the closed door of the living room, where Alice was sleeping peacefully.

He grabbed the volume, turned it down to barely a whisper, and read in to catch every word. The recording wasn't long - less than five minutes - but every second was packed with damning detail.

He went back three years, to the tragic plane crash.

There were no survivors, the headlines said, and everyone believed it had been a terrible accident. Except it wasn't.

Joshua's name appeared on the recording; he had been one of the orchestrators behind it all.

Caden clenched his jaw, the weight of the revelation hitting him hard. Although he had long since distanced himself from the Yates family, their dirty deeds had never truly been beyond his reach.

They reaped what they sowed, and he had no intention of being dragged into their nets again.

And more importantly, Alicia's parents had died in that accident three years ago.

His thoughts raced as he quickly checked off the details.

Although there was no direct evidence linking Joshua to the deaths of Alicia's parents, the pieces were starting to fit together all too well.

Caden pressed his lips into a thin, tight line, his face shadowed by the harsh overhead light.

The stark light was oppressive, creating stark contrasts in his expression and amplifying the mounting tension beneath his cold exterior.

picked up the phone and dialed an

it for me. I

Caden put the flash drive in the safe

her mouth dry and her body aching

pain, a discomfort she had unfortunately grown accustomed to. Wincing slightly, she slid out of the bed, her steps slow

was already

dim office, only two wall lamps remained lit, their soft glow casting long, indistinct shadows that danced

the window, Caden sat in silent contemplation, a half-finished glass of wine

his forehead. His shirt, now slightly wrinkled, had several buttons undone, revealing the hard plans of

and bite marks marred her skin, evidence

deeper the marks, the deeper Caden had penetrated inside

her lip as memories from a few hours ago flooded her

same uncomfortable wave of shame washed

so hopelessly sensitive to his touch? No matter how many times it happened, she never

her, his dark eyes meeting hers with

awake,” he

hadn't happened. "So... where's what you were going to

indifferently. “It's damaged. “I’ll bring

his phone before getting

made her pulse quicken involuntarily, a flash of fear flickering through her as he moved closer. “Don't tell me you don't plan on giving it to me,” she stammered,

warm water and handed it over. “Accidents happen. How about this? If you don't have it by the

She frowned, speechless.

not a ruthless

he accepted the glass, as

one gulp. “How did you

as his words slipped smoothly from his lips. “Don't you remember how wet you were

cheeks, her face flushing. She closed her mouth, too embarrassed to

it caused a small rumble, making her realize

will be here

clink. “You can eat alone. Just looking at you has taken away my

shame. “I was just

this, his cold demeanor instantly cracked, and he couldn't

is a problem,” he replied, letting a deliberate pause hang in

wicked smile. Karma hadn't

it?" he

as if

said lazily, "and I'm too tired to talk. Let's eat first and then

at him, fighting the urge

really want

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