Chapter 131:Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    ? ? ? ? ?


    Alice''s heart raced as her eyes widened.


    “Huh? What did he just call me?” she asked herself. She stared at him, genuinely surprised. “How do you know my nickname?”


    Caden silenced her question with a kiss, his focus clearly not on exining but on fulfilling her desires.


    Although she had agreed to do it just once, Caden took his time, deliberately prolonging the moment. His movements were slow, but his grip remained firm.


    Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over their intertwined forms. Alice looked up, meeting her gaze, and saw her reflection in her eyes.


    His flushed face and dazed expression started her. Both her voice and the sight of herself seemed unfamiliar, almost strange.


    Caden''s intense gaze seemed to pierce through her, making her chest tighten. For a brief moment, Alicia wished she could stay locked in her embrace forever, suspended in time.


    Afterward, Alicia copsed onto the couch, exhausted and still dazed from the intensity of the moment. Caden printed out the revised agreement and handed it to her to sign.


    Still stunned, Alice looked at him. “How did you know my name was Lucky?”


    The nickname was a gift from her mother, who hoped that Alice would have a peaceful and prosperous life. Her father, on the other hand, despised it, considering it superficial and trivial. He forbade anyone to use it, so only her mother called her Lucky.


    And now, Caden was the second person to use it.


    At that moment, Alice wasn''t sure how to feel. It was like she was caught in a wave, but somehow, holding on to him made her feel safe from being swept away.


    “It was in the first photo in your album,” Caden admitted. “I saw it there.”


    Alice looked down.


    The photos reminded her of her mother, and every time she touched them, a deep sadness enveloped her.


    “Don''t call me that again,” he said quietly.


    Caden studied her face.


    Her eyes were red and her nose was still swollen. She tried to hide her sadness, but it was impossible to hide it, it was so evident on her face. Traces of her earlier passion lingered, but now her expression seemedden with pain.


    Caden handed him the agreement. “Sign it.”


    Alice searched the room for something to write with.


    Caden held out his thumb, offering her thest of the ink.


    She pressed her fingerprint onto the paper.


    The mark was faint, and Alice examined it closely. “This doesn''t count, does it?”


    Caden withdrew the agreement, his expression indifferent. “It doesn''t count. Who knows? “You might want to change it again tomorrow.”


    Alice was speechless.


    She went to change her clothes. When she returned, she asked him about thetest developments. “Have you Randolph confessed?”


    “He did,” Caden replied.


    Alice''s face lit up with joy. "So? What''s the secret?"


    Caden still didn''t have an answer.


    Throughout the week, he had used various tactics to corner Randolph, and now, the crucial meeting scheduled for the afternoon would be the final push.


    Randolph had a choice: speak out or face dire consequences.


    “We''ll find out tonight,” Caden said. After a brief pause, he added, “Anyway, what’s for dinner tonight?”


    Alicia had been in charge of cooking during the time they spent together in the apartment.


    It seemed like he had gotten used to sharing meals with her.


    Alice smiled, feeling cheerful once again. “What would you like to eat?”


    She looked into his sparkling eyes, captivated by their brightness. Her rosyplexion gave her an aura of purity and innocence.


    "It''s up to you. I''m not picky," he replied.


    Alice then suggested a few dishes, but then she had an idea. She decided to skip the dish that included beef and celery.


    Caden raised an eyebrow. “Is that dish not to your liking?”


    Without thinking, Alice replied, "It''s you who doesn''t like it."


    Her heart softened slightly at his words. “When the evidence is discovered, Joshua will have to face the consequences. Are you sure you won’t regret this decision?”


    Alice paused, contemting for a moment, before nodding. “Just a little.”


    Caden raised an eyebrow. “Regret what?”


    "Not having associated with you before," she replied.


    He remained silent for a moment, processing her words. Alice, curious, asked, “Given how efficient you are, why didn''t you act sooner?”


    “That''s not my goal,” Caden replied calmly.


    Meanwhile, Randolph and Rachel had arrived at the hotel''s private lounge. A week had passed and they now looked deted, their former confidence long gone. Alicia''s injury at home had marked the beginning of their troubles, and the bank was in significant difficulties.


    What started out as minor problems quickly became overwhelming issues that they could no longer manage. Despite the move, their finances were still insufficient.


    Rachel cried incessantly, her eyes so swollen they were almost unrecognizable. “Randolph, who is behind this?” she asked through her tears.


    Randolph was furious. “Joshua did this,” he said, his re intensifying with each word. “He knows almost everything I did back then. After the incident, I found out he had taken the executives out to lunch. It was clear he was the one who ratted me out.”


    One action set off a cascade of consequences. Randolph faced an investigation, and all his past misdeeds came to light. Now he had to pay back every cent of the money he had embezzled while he was a bank director. Plus, he was headed to jail.


    In the days that followed, Caden reached out to him. Today, Randolph steeled himself, hoping that Caden would lend his support in this final effort.


    “Caden isn''t in a much better position,” Rachel said, her voice shaking. “Thest time Mrs. Reyes stood up to Alicia, he defended her and forced us to endure the bacsh from the Reyes family. It’s cruel of him to resort to such tactics.”


    Doubt crept into her mind. “Can we really count on him to help us?”


    Randolph regretted the negative impression he had made on Caden in the past. “I''m not sure about his rtionship with Alicia, but I understand what he wants,” he replied, changing his tone. That secret had always been his trump card in emergencies, and now was the time to y it. “He has more than enough money. If he helps me, I will reveal something that could destroy Joshua. It’s an irresistible opportunity for him.”


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