Chapter 16:


    ? ? ? ? ?


    Alice had been ying cards for two hours and was starting to get bored. She decided to change games, hoping for a change of peace.


    His luck soon improved. He won the first two rounds without much effort.


    During the third round, a tall figure appeared behind her. The presence was strong and impossible to miss. Alicia didn''t need to look to know it was Caden.


    He walked past her and sat down, recing the yer in front of him.


    Alice gathered her cards and gave him a small smile. “Mr. Ward, are you finally done with your busy schedule?”


    Once Caden was settled, he collected each letter elegantly, exuding an air of refinement. Despite this, he fit into the casual atmosphere effortlessly. “I wasn''t busy. “I just didn’t feel like seeing you,” he replied calmly.


    Alice''s lips moved in response.


    Neither of them brought up the subject immediately.


    “What happened to Lilliana’s face?” Caden asked casually, as if it were a trivial matter.


    Alicia kept her exnation brief, given the other yers around them. “He lost his temper and ended up hitting his face with my hand,” she said nonchntly.


    Caden paused for a moment before cing down a five. Alicia didn''t hesitate. “Four twos,” she announced as sheid out the cards on the table.


    Caden looked up and stared at her, lowering his voice. “Miss Bet, I yed a five.”


    Unfazed, Alice replied, "So what? It''s bigger than four twos?"


    The silence that followed was deafening, leaving the other yer visibly ufortable.


    Caden threw his card on the table and passed his turn.


    Alicia rolled a three.


    Caden responded with a ten, trying to keep the game moving.


    Alice put down her cards, smiling as she dered, “I have four of them.”


    The yer next to her leaned over and whispered, "Miss, you just threw a four. Am I not supposed to be yourmon enemy?"


    Alice calmly replied, “I’m aware of that.”


    The yer looked between Caden and Alicia, feeling awkward. “What a strange way to flirt,” he mumbled under his breath.


    Alice''s mouth twitched, but she didn''t answer him directly. Turning to Caden, she said, "Let''s keep it simple. Whoever finishes their cards first wins."


    Caden realized that Alice wasn''t focused on the game itself. He yed another card, indicating that he agreed to her terms.


    Alice quickly put down her best cards, barely managing to win the round. She pped her hands and said, “So, the deal topose the song is done.”


    Caden gave her a half smile before cing his cards face down on the table.


    The yer looked confused. “What cards did you have? He had almost nothing left, and yet you couldn''t beat him?”


    When the cards were revealed, the yer was stunned. “A straight flush? Why didn’t you y it?”


    Alicia didn''t know what to say. She had silently rejoiced in her victory, only to realize that Caden had allowed it. Suddenly, the victory seemed insignificant.


    After the yer left, a waiter came to clear the table and served two cups of coffee.


    Alicia raised her cup and looked directly at Caden. “Why did you let me win on purpose?” she asked.


    Caden''s long silence made Alicia assume that he wasn''t interested in answering. Then, his lips curved into a slight smile. "Even if you beat me, it doesn''t mean you can beat Lilliana."


    Alice replied casually and abruptly, "Mr. Ward, you seem very proud of her."


    “She has earned my pride,” he replied calmly.


    “Oh, so it’s his skills that impress you,” Alice said with a hint of sarcasm. “I thought you were only buying hispany to get back to Joshua.”


    Caden raised an eyebrow, unfazed by hisment. He epted her words easily and replied slowly, “Both.”


    Alice was caught off guard by her sincerity. “Have you slept with your lover?” she asked.


    “For now, just with his wife,” Caden replied without hesitation.


    A strange feeling stirred inside Alice. She quickly corrected him: "I''m not his wife anymore. We''re divorced."


    Alice tried to change the subject, but her flushed ears betrayed her. She couldn''t shake off the memory of that night, no matter how hard she tried.


    Caden noticed the small reactions she made. A slight smile yed on his lips as he watched her. She blushed so easily, and yet she had the nerve to lie about something as daring as a hymen repair. The irony gave him a small sense of amusement.


    “Why the sudden divorce? Weren’t you making a fuss about that cheap ten-dor ring a few days ago?” I have asked.


    Alicia was speechless. Herment had struck a chord.


    The ring was nothing more than a trinket. It was barely worth ten dors, and now it was just a painful reminder of her failed marriage.


    Lowering his eyes, he spoke softly, “Since we''re done with business, I''ll be leaving.”


    Caden''s eyes followed her as she stood to leave.


    Just then, I noticed Joshua''s car pulling up outside. Caden uncrossed his legs and stood up. Without a word, he headed for the door.


    Joshua hade to pick up Lilliana after work. When he saw Alicia leaving the café, he headed for the entrance.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    His initial n had been to simply offer her a ride.


    However, as soon as she rolled down the passenger window, Lilliana reacted first. She threw her coffee cup directly at Alicia.


    The coffee sshed onto Alice''s chest, soaking her fine clothes and leaving her lookingpletely disheveled.


    Joshua''s expression darkened as he took in the scene. Lilliana scoffed, "Oh, I was wrong, Miss Bet. I thought you were the garbage can."


    The malice in his tone was unmistakable.


    Alice frowned, trying to wipe herself away, but it was a futile effort.


    Joshua grabbed the car door handle, ready to get out. But he froze when he saw Caden walking towards them.


    Caden approached Alicia.


    He took off his coat and put it over his shoulders,pletely covering the soaked area.


    Let me know if you need any further adjustments.


    .


    .


    .