Chapter 66:


    ? ? ? ? ?


    Joshua chuckled lightly. “We were married for years. “Ties like that don’t just disappear.”


    Jerald, always in tune with his son, understood without words. He waved his hand dismissively, recalling his own past. “They''re just women. Have fun if you want. I’m not involved.”Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Joshua turned serious. “As for the Green family, I have everything under control. There will be no problems.”


    Jerald agreed. “As long as you''re sure.”


    His thoughts then drifted to Caden, frowning. “Caden holds a grudge. “I lost my temper today, and I’m not sure what I might do next.” The way Caden had looked at him earlier reminded him all too much of Caden''s grandfather: intense, cold, and brooding. At only twenty-five, Caden looked ready to take on the world.


    Joshua, sensing Jerald’s concern, reassured him, “He’s your son. What can I really do? “If he had real power, he wouldn’t have gone down without a fight.”


    Jerald closed his eyes briefly, considering his son''s words. Joshua handed him a ss of water and continued, “I’ve been looking into Caden’s assets overseas since he returned. He''s been hiding things well. “I suspect he’s keeping some secrets.”


    Jerald frowned. “What kind of secrets?”


    "Something big. Financial problems or worse. His pride wouldn''t allow him toe back just topete for an inheritance, unless there''s something more."


    Jerald’s expression softened as the idea sank in. It made sense. Furthermore, given the scope of the Yates empire, why would Caden willingly give up the inheritance?


    Still, as long as Jerald remained in control, Caden could do nothing.


    “We have her mother to thank for that,” Jerald murmured, “giving me everything she had.” He looked at Joshua, offering a rarepliment. “Alicia reminds me of her.”


    Joshua smiled. “Thanks for your guidance, Dad.”


    Jerald took a sip of water, pondering for a moment. He knew Joshua had a knack for pleasing people, but he also knew deep down that Joshua wasn''t on Caden''s level.


    With a dismissive gesture, Jerald said, “Go down and eat. I feel better. You don''t need to put so much effort into thepany anymore. “I can take care of everything.”


    Joshua''s eyes darkened briefly, but he hid any emotion.


    “It''s okay, Dad,” Joshua replied calmly, hiding his thoughts. As he left the study, he saw Alicia leaning against a pill in the hallway, clearly lost in thought.


    “Alice? What are you doing here?” he asked, approaching her. Noticing that something didn''t fit, he added: “Are you scared?”


    Alicia wasn''t pretending; she was truly shocked. "You were just talking in there, but why did Jerald suddenly get angry?"


    Joshua shrugged, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. “Caden has a temper, and he always manages to irritate Dad. It’s nothing new.”


    "I see," Alice murmured.


    Outside, the rain was pounding against the windows, the sound deafening. Thunder rumbled loudly, making Alice''s face pale even further.


    Joshua noticed her reaction and was amused. “It''s just thunder,” he said,ughing. “Come on, let''s eat.”


    Alice, seeing how unaffected he was, asked casually: "Do you like this weather?"


    “Yes,” Joshua replied, his smile widening. “I like everything Caden is afraid of.”


    Alice''s heart sank at his words.


    She pressed, “How could someone like Caden be afraid of thunder?”


    Joshua, in good humor, replied: “Do you know how his mother died?”


    Alice clenched her fingers. “No,” she murmured softly.


    Joshua almostughed, clearly amused by his own story. “Over a decade ago, his mother died in childbirth at the hospital. It was pouring rain, and Caden was standing in the hospital entrance, soaked and nearly struck by lightning.”


    Alice froze, a shiver running down her spine.


    Images of a simr scene shed through his mind.


    He felt an unexpected surge ofpassion for Caden. Witnessing the sudden death of someone close to him was a pain that could never be forgotten, and yet Joshua seemed to find amusement in it.


    At that moment, Alice realized that she no longer recognized Joshua. His coldness made him almost repulsive.


    Joshua noticed that she had stopped walking. “What''s wrong? Are you okay?” I asked in a worried voice.


    Alice held on tight, her fingers turning pale. “I''ve caught a cold and my stomach isn''t feeling very well. Go eat. “I’ll rest a little,” she whispered.


    Joshua''s gaze softened and he asked, "Is a little cold that bothersome?"


    Alice hesitated, unsure of how to respond.


    Joshua looked at her knowingly. “How about a little surprise tonight?” he suggested, his tone suggestive.


    Alicia felt a surge of anger well up inside her, but before she could react, her phone buzzed.


    Seeing Lilliana''s name on the screen, Joshua gestured for Alicia to be quiet.


    Alice lowered her head, biting her tongue, and walked down the stairs.


    Joshua seemed pleased by her silence but, as a precaution, retreated to the bedroom to answer the call.


    Alice walked into the living room, a knot of uneasiness tightening her chest.


    The house was full of activity.


    Everyone was busy with dinner preparations.


    Nobody noticed her.


    Silently, Alice picked up a ck umbre and walked out the door.


    I called a taxi and asked the driver to follow a known route.


    Halfway there, his eyes caught sight of Caden''s Maybach, parked haphazardly on the street.


    He made the taxi stop near a pharmacy and quickly went inside to buy something.


    When she returned, the Maybach had not moved. She paused for a moment, thinking, before approaching the car. She tapped gently on the window. It took a few moments, but finally the window rolled down halfway.


    Caden stared at her nkly. “What''s wrong?” he asked bluntly.


    .


    .


    .