Chapter 98:


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    Alicia evaded Caden’s probing question with a distraction. “I’ll be kissing many more in the future.”


    Caden''s question was pointed out. "Do you also prepare yourself with breath spray before you kiss Joshua?"


    Speechless, Alice felt that continuing the conversation might expose too much.


    Determined to move from passivity to action, she bit her lip and initiated a kiss.


    Caden inhaled sharply in reaction. “My wound is still fresh, and now this?”


    "You talk too much," Aliceined, annoyed by his continued chatter during the kiss.


    Why couldn''t he keep quiet?


    Kisses were supposed to be simple, without unnecessary talk.


    When the kiss ended, Caden released her, and the immediate heat between them dissipated.


    With a lingering feeling on her lips, Alice dered, “My safety tomorrow is your responsibility. Keep an eye on my location and intervene immediately if anything seems amiss.”


    Caden, raising his head indifferently, replied, “Am I supposed to act as your bodyguard just for a kiss? That’s like expecting a free ride for a simple handshake.”


    Alicia preferred to ignore hisment.


    After all, he had been the one to summon her. He figured the more desperate one seemed, the more they stood to lose.


    When she left, Caden still felt the residual taste of her kiss on his lips, difficult to ignore even if he intended otherwise.


    Later, when Hank came in with the updates and noticed the marks on Caden''s lips, he stopped abruptly.


    "Mr. Ward, what happened to your lips?"


    Touching his lips unconsciously, Caden saw a faint red stain and quickly wiped it away with a tissue. “It''s nothing.”


    I removed it with a brush.


    Hank looked at him with a knowing expression.


    "It seems things are progressing well between you and Miss Bet."


    Instantly, Caden''s mood turned icy. “Are you gathering information for Ciara again?”


    Hank quickly rified, “After your warning, I haven''t spoken to anyone else. I’m simply impressed by your willingness to put aside your prejudices for your own well-being; it’s quite rare.”


    Caden took a deep breath, reflecting on his journey from a precocious child who started school at age two to bing CEO of Blizzard Group.


    Over the years, he has faced countless challenges, but none as intricate as managing his interactions with Alicia.


    He often considered deepening their rtionship, but always held back, unsure of his ability to maintain hisposure under such circumstances.


    Hank, remembering that they had business matters to attend to, struck up a conversation. “Mr. Ward, I notice that you have been examining Mr. Yates’ ount transactions. Do you have any ns to take action?”


    Caden replied nonchntly, “Alicia has expressed interest in such transactions.”


    Hank, puzzled, asked, "Are you targeting Mr. Yates as well?"


    “Yes,” Caden confirmed. “Alicia’s long rtionship with Joshua makes her much more than just a pawn,” he added, underlining her strategic importance.


    Hank''s concern was evident as I probed further. "Mr. Ward, are you using Miss Bet in this endeavor?"


    Caden paused, then replied nomittally, “Not exactly,” suggesting more intricate involvement than Hank had assumed.


    Hank decided to keep the matter private due to Alicia''s formidable personality, which could lead to direct confrontations,


    "I will keep this confidential to avoid any direct confrontation from her," he advised.


    Caden felt a pang of apprehension as he recalled the unpredictable outbursts he had witnessed from Alicia over the years.


    Trying to steer the conversation away from sensitive topics, I changed the subject. “What time should we go to the hotel for dinner?”


    Meanwhile, Lilliana, dressed in a baggy outfit and sunsses to conceal her identity, approached the reception area of ??Joshua''spany.


    The receptionist didn''t recognize her at first and greeted her politely. "Hello. Do you have an appointment?"


    Lilliana took off her sunsses and asked dryly, "Do I look that ordinary?"


    Once recognized as the future Mrs. Yates, the receptionist quickly bowed and apologized: “I''m sorry, Miss Green. It was the sunsses…”


    As she leaned forward, Lilliana noticed the receptionist''s attitude and her demeanor turned icy.


    "Is this how you dress for work? Does this reflect thepany culture?"


    Confused, the receptionist looked down at her standard business suit, baffled by Lilliana''s disapproval.


    Lilliana, losing interest in further arguing, put her sunsses back on and snapped, “You’re fired.”


    Stunned, the receptionist followed Lilliana, pleading, “Miss Green…”


    At the same time, Joshua, who had just finished his work, entered the chaos unfolding below.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    His secretary quickly informed him: "Mr. Yates, Miss Green has arbitrarily dismissed about ten employees."


    Joshua''s expression hardened as he headed to his office.


    Inside, Lilliana sat in her chair, brimming with authority.


    The secretary instantly fell silent under Lilliana''s formidable gaze and began to back away.


    “Why are you leaving? Come in,” Lilliana insisted. The secretary hesitated, looking uncertainly at Joshua for signs.


    Perplexed by Lilliana''s actions, Joshua signaled for the secretary to leave.


    Lilliana, mming the door on her desk, demanded loudly, “Didn''t you hear me? Come in.”


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