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.

thinking twice, I picked up the phone and dialed an

for me. I want answers

call ended, Caden put the flash drive

Alice woke up, her mouth dry and her body aching in

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

sky was already

lamps remained lit, their soft glow casting long, indistinct

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

over his

red scratches and bite marks marred her skin, evidence

the marks, the deeper Caden

wall, biting her lip as memories from a few

same uncomfortable wave of shame washed over

she remain so inexperienced, so hopelessly sensitive to his touch? No matter

to sense her presence, Caden turned his head toward her,

he

trying to hide the awkwardness by pretending it hadn't happened. "So...

damaged. “I’ll bring it

sent a quick message on his phone before getting

pulse quicken involuntarily, a flash of fear flickering through her as he moved closer. “Don't tell me you don't plan on

handed it over. “Accidents happen.

She frowned, speechless.

ruthless monster

he accepted the glass, as he

emptying the glass in one gulp. “How did you know I

from his

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

her stomach, it caused a small rumble, making her realize how

blinked. “Food will be here soon,” he

“You can eat alone.

“Really? That's a shame. “I was just about

cold demeanor instantly cracked, and

problem,” he replied, letting a deliberate pause hang

curved into a slow, almost wicked smile. Karma hadn't been wasted

taking it?" he asked, in an

crossing his legs as if he had all the time

tired to talk. Let's eat first

him, fighting the urge to roll

really want

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