Chapter 114:


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    Caden''s expression was grim.


    Alice felt a pang of guilt as she noticed this. Without realizing it, she had caused him deep frustration.


    "Why don''t we find the nearest hotel and get a room, so you can clean up?"


    He looked at her with a frown. “Do you really expect me to get in a car and drive when I''m this dirty?”


    Alicia didn''t know what to say. She knew it was her fault. She wasn''t in any position to argue, no matter how angry Caden got.


    “Okay, how about I go get you some body soap?” she suggested. “I need to buy a few things anyway. “I can record whatever you need.”


    Caden almost agreed when a thought struck him. His eyes darted to her bottom. “Are you wearing underwear?”


    Alice blinked, visibly surprised. “No,” she replied, instinctively squeezing her legs together. “I was just about to buy something.”


    The hospital only provided gowns for patients. Personal belongings, such as underwear, were not included. Alice had nned to buy a set of disposable underwear for her entire stay.


    Caden gritted his teeth. He wasn''t going to let her walk around without underwear. He nced toward the bathroom. For a moment, the only sound that filled the room was the steady dripping of the faucet.


    "So, hand soap."


    Alice awkwardly touched her nose. “I''m sorry.”


    "If you''re really sorry, you''d better start thinking about how to make it up to me."


    She raised her head at that, but Caden had already disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.


    Aliciaid down on the bed and pulled out her phone to text Monica, letting her know she was safe.


    "I''ll be there right now," Monica replied. "Which ward are you in?"


    Alicia enjoyed the warmth her friends provided her. She quickly sent the address to Monica.


    A few minutester, she heard Caden calling her from the bathroom. “Hand me my clothes, will you?”


    Alice looked at the back of her hand. The line was still connected.


    Alicia cautiously got out of bed and carefully pulled the IV stand out as she carried Caden''s clothes into the bathroom.


    Knowing he was naked, he only opened the door a crack, shoving his clothes inside without looking.


    “Come on, bring them here,” Caden scolded.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Alice kept her face warned. “Don''t you think that would be a little inappropriate?”


    "What do you mean? You''ve seen every inch of my body, right?"


    That made Alice stammer. “That doesn''t mean I have to take every opportunity to look at your naked body!”


    Fortunately, Caden didn''t say anything else. When he took the clothes from her hand, Alicia quickly closed the door and went back to bed.


    She had barely finished putting the drip stand in ce when Caden emerged from the bathroom, impably dressed as always.


    Seeing her struggle, he walked over and lifted her onto the bed in one smooth motion.


    “Thank you,” Alice said timidly. “Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to return the favor next time you get hurt.”


    Caden red at her. Next time? Was she hexing him or something? It wouldn''t be such a loss if she''d just shut up.


    Alicia crawled under the nket and asked, “Did anything else happen after I passed out? Did the Reyes family eat?”


    “Yes,” Caden replied. “They n to apologize to you in person once you are able to be discharged.”


    Alice''s chest tightened. "Are they really going to apologize or just take advantage of the opportunity to finish me off?"


    Ted had been through a lot. Without Caden''s protection, he would be an easy target, waiting for his hunters to take the first shot.


    They could torture her however they wanted, for as long as they wanted.


    But Caden already knew she would think that way.


    "That is why I rejected them in your name."


    Alice breathed a sigh of relief. “Good job.”


    Caden grabbed a pack of tissues and began wiping his hands.


    ?You may have dodged a bullet today, but you won''t always be so lucky. Even though you were injured on the Gray family''s property, you should know that it doesn''t matter to them, or to the Yates family. "They can make it all go away."


    “…they can make things disappear with a snap of their fingers and a thick wad of cash. But the same cannot be said for the Reyes family. They will definitelye after you to avenge Ted, and they will show no mercy.”


    Alice fell silent. Her hands slowly clenched into fists.


    Caden looked at her, but when she didn''t say anything, he tossed the tissue into the trash and sat down on the bed. He reached out, gently opened her fingers, one by one, andid her hand, palm down, on the nket.


    "Are you afraid? If so, the most sensitive thing to do is to find someone powerful to support you. Don''t you think so?"


    Alice looked up and met her deep, meaningful gaze. For a few seconds she stood paralyzed, staring at him in a daze.


    She was torn, her emotions fighting against her reason.


    “Certain paths may seem absurd at first nce,” Caden said. “But they may turn out to be the easiest route. Likewise, well-trodden paths can lead you to a dead end. It’s about making the right choice.”


    “You sound just like Joshua,” Alice murmured.


    “Well, with me it’s mutual consent,” Caden said nonchntly. “Can you say the same about Joshua?”


    Alice was speechless again. “When did you find out?”


    Caden shrugged. “When he touches you, you physically recoil. When I touch you, you get wet.”


    Alice let out a little gasp.


    Did this man have no sense of decorum?


    He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. “You knew my intentions towards the Gray family from the beginning, but you didn''t stop me. It’s because you wanted Joshua to fall into disgrace, right?”


    “It''s not just him,” Caden said nonchntly. “The whole Yates family.”


    Alice remembered the dream she''d had. Who would have thought that the mighty Caden Ward had endured such a difficult childhood?


    “Your target is Joshua, and mine is the Yates family. If we do this, we''ll have a clear deal. We''ll be partners. This isn’t a friends-with-benefits situation, you know?”


    Caden leaned in slightly, as if to emphasize his next words. “It’spletely different from your current rtionship with Joshua.”


    Alice''s heart wavered.


    She decided to be honest. “I have been staying with the Yates family because I want to use this identity to achieve my goals. “I am not there yet, so I can’t leave for now.”


    Caden was equally blunt. “Have you slept with Joshua during this time?”


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