Chapter 59:


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    The rain was pouring down, hitting the ground with every drop. A sudden p of thunder made Georgia shriek, her hands instinctively clutching at Shelia.


    The disgusting smell of dog poop still clung to her, and Shelia''s expression twisted in disgust. With a push, Shelia pushed Georgia away.


    Cadenughed softly. “Why are you screaming, Georgia? Alicia is the one in trouble. “That thunder sounds like nature is giving her a warning.”


    Alicia gave her a cold look. The rain was only getting worse, and Shelia, fed up pushed, Georgia aside and hurried inside to wash up.


    Another rumble of thunder echoed overhead. For a moment, Caden''s face darkened as he looked at Alice. For some unknown reason, she had stepped into the pond, her hands moving frantically as if searching for something.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    The heavy rain clouded the view, making it difficult to see what he was doing. Caden walked over, frowning. “What exactly are you looking for?”


    Alicia lifted the hem of her skirt as she continued to feel her way through the water. She muttered, “I think I dropped my phone in here.”


    Caden looked down, skeptical. Seeing his hesitation, Alicia urged, “Don''t just stand there. Help me find him.”


    Caden wasn''t fooled. “Is this another one of your tricks? Like the one you yed on the maid?”


    Alice snorted in response. “Believe what you want.”


    He continued his search, moving a few steps to the side. Suddenly, he let out a loud cry. “Ah! “I found it!”


    Caden squinted through the downpour. It was hard to make out what he was holding, but it looked like something.


    Alice wiped the rain from her face, her hair sticking to her cheeks. She looked at him and said, “Give me a hand. “Pull me up.”


    Seeing how soaked and dejected she looked, Caden reluctantly held out his hand.


    Just as Alicia''s hand was about to grab his, she quickly switched to her other hand. Without warning, she ced something in her palm. Caden froze. At first, he didn''t know what it was, but the slimy texture told him everything he needed to know.


    It was a toad. Toad


    Her face darkened with disgust. With a sharp jerk she threw it aside and her whole body shook with disgust. Alice burst outughing.


    Caden, known for his aversion to all things impure, was repulsed beyond measure. The mere thought of touching the toad would torment him for days. His expression darkened even further, a storm brewing behind his eyes.


    Sensing that she might have gone too far, Alice stoppedughing and tried to climb out of the pond. In her haste, she lost her footing in the slippery mud and fell back into the water, hitting her knee on a sharp stone. A sharp pain shot through her leg, and her vision momentarily blurred as she gasped for air.


    Caden looked at her, his expression softening slightly. Alicia tried to regain her bnce, but her injured knee refused to support her weight. Her hand shook as she reached out. “Help me up.”


    Caden, his tone casual but cool, replied, “Miss Bet, don''t you know? “I can’t stand women who pretend to be innocent.” He paused, his eyes narrowed. “Whatever you learned from your books, it won''t work on me.”


    Alice could only stare at him, speechless. Without saying anything else, she turned her back and began to walk away.


    As the thunder rumbled above her, Alicia, torn between fury and pain, felt as if the sky itself was about to strike her. Seeing Caden truly leaving, panic gripped her and she stood up, forgetting her pain in her haste to follow. The storm intensified, reflecting her French state.


    Caden was ready to leave, but the downpour forced him to reconsider. Soaked to the bone, he had no choice but to change. It had been ages since he had stayed at the Yates mansion, and he had nothing left of his own.


    Shelia, ever the helpful hostess, brought over a set of her son Joshua''s clothes. She smiled and said, "You and Joshua are about the same size. Why don''t you wear these?"


    Caden, shaking water droplets from his sleeves, replied with icy indifference, “I’m not one to settle.”


    "Don''t bother."


    His words were colder than the falling rain.


    Shelia''s smile faltered, her embarrassment evident. Caden had never liked his stepmother, and Shelia despaired of him in returning, although she tried not to show it. But in the end, there was no choice. Caden was far more talented than her son Joshua. And now, with the inheritance at stake, Shelia knew she had to y the role of perfect wife and mother, even though she could barely tolerate Caden''s presence.


    Shelia held back her anger and headed to the master bedroom.


    Jerald leaned against the headboard, resting. He was getting strongertely, and was even able to walk a little, slowly regaining his former strength.


    As Shelia changed her clothes, she kept her back to him, tears falling silently.


    Jerald frowned. “What''s wrong?”


    Shelia shook her head. “It''s nothing. “I’m used to it.”


    “Used to what?” Jerald''s patience ran out. “Stop crying and tell me.”


    Shelia turned to him, her clothes disheveled and tears streaming down her cheeks, giving her a pitiful appearance.


    Seeing her condition, Jerald gestured for her toe over and sit beside him. “Who has been bothering you?”


    Shelia bit her lip. “Jerald, don''t be mad at Caden. He lost his mother so young, and without her, he became bitter and angry. He resents me. It’s really all my fault since then…”


    Jerald didn''t let her finish. "Did he hurt you?"


    Shelia''s tears flowed even harder. Her silence spoke louder than any words.


    Jerald’s expression darkened. “Have you forgotten your ce? “This is the Yates family.”


    Shelia patted his chest gently, trying to calm him down. “I''m fine. Please don’t be angry.”


    But just as he said this, Jerald started coughing, a metallic taste filling his mouth.


    Shelia ran to him. “See, you still get angry too quickly.” She went to get her medicine, opened the door, and saw Caden on the stairs.


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