Chapter 48:


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    "What''s wrong with a little contact? You seem to be craving it. Isn''t that why you came here, to let us do our thing?"


    The group burst outughing.


    The drunk stared at Alice and touched her cheek with his hand again.


    Alicia pped his hand away, her voice icy: "I''ve already called the police. You should think twice about your next move."


    The man sneered and said, “The police? My legs are shaking. Weren’t you the one who asked for this?”


    Monica, hearing this, was furious. “Shut your fucking mouth! We were eating and you were the one who started it all. Nobody agreed to anything with you.”


    The man sneered, “You''ve been dumped, divorced, and now you''re alone and desperate. You resort to dirty tricks just to steal someone else''s husband. Isn''t it because you crave attention and need a man? I''m here to fill that void in your life. Isn’t that exactly what you want?”


    His mocking words provokedughter from the crowd, who began to murmur among themselves.


    "Now I remember why she looks familiar. It''s Alicia Bet."


    "She''s been in the headlinestely, wrapped up in all kinds of rumors about what she''s willing to do to get a man."


    "Look at her, so flirtatious. I''m sure she has no shortage of men. Why bother fighting over one?"


    "She''s a cheapskate. That''s why. Beautiful women are all the same: cheap, and they can''t live without a man. But they get offended when someone touches them."


    "Ha, ha, ha. She wouldn''t want a man like you toy a finger on her."


    "As if I wanted to touch her. Who knows how many men she''s been with."


    The cruel words pierced Alice, sharp as des.


    He stared at the man who was screaming the loudest.


    His expression was as repulsive as his words.


    His icy gaze only caused them tough harder, and the crowd''s insults became even crueler.


    He stepped back and picked something up from the table with his hand.


    The drunk staggered over and put a hand on his shoulder. “Why don''t youe with me?”


    She pushed his hand away.


    Monica jumped up screaming, "Don''t you dare touch her with those filthy hands!"


    The man, staggering, was on the verge of falling. Furious, I pointed a finger at Monica. "You have the nerve to push me, bitch!"


    When she raised her hand to hit Monica, Alicia threw an object at her.


    Chaos broke out instantly.


    Physically, they were no match for the man. In the struggle, Alice was pushed against a table and her arm collided with a pot of hot soup.


    She suppressed a cry of pain.


    Joshua, who had been standing motionless, finally moved, ready to intervene.


    Lilliana grabbed her arm and smiled. “The show is over. Let’s go.”


    A good part of the spectators were fans of his.


    They would certainly defend her if things got ugly. Joshua paused, still staring at Alicia.


    Momentster, restaurant security showed up along with the police. The chaos came to an end.


    “Joshua, I said let us go!” Lilliana shouted, louder this time.


    Joshua finally rxed as the police held the drunks back. Without another word, he followed Lilliana out the door. Just before he got into the car, he took onest look at the drunks.


    Beyond the crowd, a man stood apart.


    The tall figure caught his attention.


    Caden?


    Caden stood just behind the police, exuding an air of authority and dominance that demanded attention. Joshua looked sullen.


    But then she reasoned that, considering Caden''s bad rtionship with Alicia, he was probably just here for the drama.


    Before Joshua could dwell on that thought, Lilliana, who was already in the car, yelled, “Joshua,e on, let’s go home.”


    With his fists clenched, Joshua slid into the seat next to her. Lilliana, clearly emboldened,mented, “If I were Alice, I would be humiliated to show my face in public, let alonee here to eat. “She got what she deserved.”Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Joshua, in a firm voice, gave a simple order to the driver: "Drive."


    Alice had already hardened more than enough.


    It was clear that he couldn''t hold out much longer.


    The police took the main instigators away. Since Alicia had participated in the altercation, she also had to apany them to the police station.


    He tried to reassure Monica: “Go home. I just have to make a statement. “I will keep you informed.”


    Monica shook her head, unyielding. “No way. Who knows if they''ll try to mess with you? These thugs are all the same!”


    “I''m fine,” Alice insisted. “You''re still in school. “You shouldn’t be anywhere near a police station.” She knew that it would have repercussions for Monica''s future.


    Monica, however, wasn''t worried about that. Just as she was about to protest, Caden''s imposing figure appeared above them.


    He took Alice aside.


    Then I turned to Monica. “I’ve contacted Mr. Flynn. “He’lle pick you up.”


    Monica opened her mouth to retort, but Caden''s stern gaze silenced her.


    Monica swallowed.


    Alicia insisted, “Go home, Monica. “I’ll be fine.”


    Monica hesitated, her concern evident. “But Caden…”


    Alice took a moment before answering, “It won''t do anything to me.”


    Caden nced at her.


    She looked like a wild cat that had just emerged from a tumultuous encounter.


    The more disheveled she appeared, the more captivating she became.


    Caden smiled, leading Alicia towards the police car whilepletely ignoring Monica.


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