Chapter 49:


    ? ? ? ? ?Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    A police officer approached with a pair of handcuffs, preparing to secure them around Alicia.


    Caden stood in front of him, holding up a hand. “There''s no need to go that far.”


    The agent hesitated, surprised.


    Recognizing the peculiar connection between Caden and Alicia, he withdrew his hand.


    Alicia gently moved her burned hand away and climbed into the police car. Caden slid in behind her.


    She looked at him, slightly puzzled. “You''re noting back?”


    He sat down, his long legs almost overwhelming the small space.


    "It''s much more entertaining to watch you squirm at the station," he said.


    Alice sensed his malicious intent.


    He sank into his seat and remained silent.


    A police officer offered Caden a bottle of water. “Thank you, Mr. Ward.”


    Caden greeted her with a friendly smile. Then hemented, “I’ve barely done anything.”


    Alice let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head.


    He let out a silent snort.


    He was skilled at feigning humility.


    The officer smiled and said, “Mr. Ward, that is an understatement. You have contributed significantly over the years; “it is only right that we show you our gratitude.”


    Alice was surprised.


    Were you involved in phnthropy?


    Of course, he hadn''t imagined it.


    Caden looked at her, clearly reluctant to exin further.


    I removed the cap and offered her the bottle of water.


    Alicia, still feeling the effects of the fight, was drenched in sweat.


    I needed to hydrate.


    I picked up the bottle and looked at it with a little skepticism.


    Caden reassured her, “You don''t have to worry. It’s perfectly safe.”


    Alice''s expression changed to one of confusion. “I haven''t expressed any concern, and yet you''re already confessing.” Although she knew it was unlikely he would drug her, she was puzzled by how suddenly thoughtful he had be.


    I gave her the water, before removing the plug.


    It was as strange as the unexpected kiss before.


    He drank almost half the bottle in one gulp before handing it back.


    Caden took a few sips effortlessly.


    His expression changed slightly. “I’ve already drunk from it.”


    Caden''s face remained impassive. “Yeah, so?”


    She was speechless, her eyes silently questioning him, “Isn''t this basically like kissing?”


    Caden raised an eyebrow, his eyes answering her unspoken question. “Haven’t we kissed before?”


    Alice felt her ears turn red with heat as she looked away.


    Caden couldn''t help but smile.


    Once they arrived at the police station, they recovered the restaurant''s surveince footage.


    It was clear that the incident had been instigated by those drunken troublemakers; they were to me from the beginning.


    Alicia only had to give a statement.


    “But what about defamation?” I have asked. “The false information circting on the Inte has permeated their minds, and people like them have significantly disrupted my life. Will there be any consequences?”


    The officer replied: “If you wish, we canunch an investigation after documenting yourint, but please be aware that the process will take time. It would be advisable to gather more concrete evidence and consider taking legal action against the instigators.”


    Alice agreed. “I appreciate that.”


    The circumstances were already tangled, especially with the Green family pulling the strings behind the scenes. By the time the police came to a resolution, she could be overwhelmed by online harassment.


    She let out a sigh, feeling a dull pain in the burn. As she pulled up her sleeve, she noticed small blisters forming. The thought of having to go back to the hospital was thest thing she wanted to do.


    Instead, he borrowed a first aid kit from the police station and began applying ointment and bandages.


    Cadenpleted some paperwork and walked over, watching her awkwardly struggling with the gauge in the corner.


    He sat down next to her.


    “You don''t have to do everything yourself,” she said, taking a cotton ball and soaking it in iodine. “For example, you can ask me for help. I’m here to help.”


    Alice remained silent.


    Caden''s touch was anything but gentle.


    She gasped in pain as I applied the burn ointment. Then he wrapped the gauze around her arm several times, securing it with a knot.


    Alice didn''t understand it.


    There was something unexpectedlyforting about the scene.


    Without looking at her, Caden organized the first aid kit. “I noticed your history. It’s surprising that this is the first time you’ve gotten into trouble.”


    Considering his fiery nature, it was truly remarkable. Alice''s expression darkened.


    Maybe it was the lingering tension or the reality that he''d seen her at her lowest point too many times. Either way, he let his defenses down, exposing a rare vulnerability. “I have no family left. There’s no one who can help me if I get into trouble.”


    She knew she couldn''t always rely on her friends, and she certainly couldn''t count on Joshua toe to her aid.


    Therefore, he thought it would be best to keep his behavior under control.


    Caden hesitated for a moment.


    "There will be many more incidents like tonight. Will you always choose to defend yourself?"


    Alicia pursed her lips and said, "I have to gather evidence, take legal action against them, make them pay and demand an apology."


    He hadn''t treated his problems as seriously as they deserved before, but tonight he had opened his eyes. Lilliana and Joshua weren''t going to make things easy for him. So he realized he had to face his fears head on.


    Caden scoffed, “Given your size, how do you intend to gather that evidence?”


    Alice was momentarily speechless.


    Caden, with an ulterior motive, suggested, “If you y your cards right, there’s someone who might be able to help you.”


    Just then, footsteps echoed at the doorway.


    Alicia looked up and saw Joshuae in.


    His gaze darkened as he looked at her.


    Alice understood the implication in his eyes. An idea of ??self-preservation began to take shape in her mind, although it seemed dangerous.


    She remained fixed on Joshua, lost in her thoughts for what seemed like an eternity.


    Caden noticed her shift in attention.


    He smiled and said, “I’ll leave you two alone.”


    Alice felt surprised. She felt the urge to exin herself, but after thinking about it, she decided not to.


    Why did she have to justify herself to Caden? He could form whatever opinion he wanted.


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