Chapter 164:
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Caden narrowed his eyes. “Is that so?”
Alicia had already realized what had happened. Joshua must have taken the painting from the safe without her permission.
"Just when I thought I couldn''t sink any lower," he muttered, his expression grim.
The idea that Joshua, the second son of the Yates family, would resort to theft was repugnant to her. This painting had belonged to Alice long before her marriage. After her parents died, she had kept it in a safe bank. The only other person who knew its location was Joshua.
Caden raised an eyebrow. “Only you can open that safe. “He wouldn’t have been able to get in without your permission.”
Alice bit her lip. “He might have figured out my password.”
Caden frowned. “What kind of password would be so easy for him to guess?”
Alice looked away, unable to answer. She cradled the painting in her hands, inspecting it for any signs of damage.
Caden decided not to push it any further.
Alice ran her fingers over the painting, imagining her mother creating each brushstroke. The image filled her mind as if she could see it happening before her eyes.
She looked at Caden, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and warmth.
“Thank you,” he said quietly.
Caden smiled at her.
Spending the money was worth it just to see her smile like that.
He looked thoughtfully at the painting and asked, "Would you rather disy it here or put it back in the safe?"
Alice hesitated for a moment. “Is it all right if I hang it here?”
“Of course,” Caden replied.
Relieved, she began looking for an empty wall to hang it on.
Caden added, “This ce looks safer than a bank, right?”
“True,” Alice agreed with a smile. As she hung up the picture she asked, “How much did you spend on it?”
Caden bluntly replied, “Two hundred million dors. “You owe me that, and you’ll pay me back in bed.”
Alice''s expression changed several times. Her face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and sadness.
"This painting belongs to me. Joshua sold it, which makes him a thief. I will make sure he returns everyst cent to you," she dered confidently.
Caden said yfully, “Miss Bet, you are stunning. “I can’t wait to see you get your revenge.”
Alice felt a surge of shyness at hispliment. “Oh, stop it!”
After hanging the picture, Caden stepped back, standing on the floor.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Caden,” Alicia said as she helped him down.
Caden looked at her in the eyes and asked, “Is that all I get in return?”
Alice felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She moved quickly towards him, standing on her tips to press her lips against his.
She stared into his eyes, her own filled with tears. For a moment she wanted to ask him why he was so kind to her.
His affection enveloped her like sunshine on a cold day, but she felt that Caden''s kindness was intentional. She couldn''t shake the feeling that it wasn''t entirely genuine. This only deepened her confusion. What could be the reason behind this?
Her thoughts swirled, and she pushed the matter aside, feeling nervous. She focused her attention on other tasks.
Caden smiled at her, staying silent, wanting to preserve the moment.
As they admired the apartment’s new paint, Caden suggested, “Since we’re renovating, why not update some other things, too?”
Alice frowned. “What renovations? “We just hung a painting.”
"True, but that still counts."
For a moment she was speechless. Since it was her t, she assumed she was free to make any changes she wanted. She agreed. “It''s up to you. “I’ll take care of the expenses.”
Caden had a knowing look on his face. “Aren’t you curious to know what I’m going to change?”
Alice was about to say that she didn''t care, but as soon as she looked into her eyes, a feeling of unease washed over her.
He hesitated for a moment before asking, “What do you n to change?”
Caden raised an eyebrow. “I can''t say that right now.”
He was speechless. So why bring it up?
With the apartment undergoing renovations, Alicia decided to stay with Monica while Caden opted to stay at the office. Since they spent the nights apart, they had few opportunities to see each other. She focused on her sses and studies, and the time flew by.
From time to time I have heard some gossip.
Joshua had been busy preparing for hispany''s IPO, running around managing various projects. The exhaustion was evident on his face every time he was photographed. On the other hand, Caden''s news was getting a lot of attention. Hispany hadunched new technology products and established a partnership with another leading group. In the photos, he radiated confidence without the need for retouching.
The contrast between the two was striking.
Alicia looked at Caden''s face and instinctively smiled. Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching.
It was Monica.
Alice quickly closed the page.
Monica noticed his reaction. “What are you hiding?” “Were you watching something inappropriate?”
Alicia cleared her throat. “I was looking at male models.”
Monica leaned closer, curious. “Who? I want to see, too.”
Alicia was speechless as she casually browsed through the pages. The articles about Joshua caught her attention.
Monica lost interest in male models andmented: “He has finally hit rock bottom, just as we expected. Do you think Lilliana will marry him? “I bet their wedding will be called off.”
Alicia replied: “Joshua will not let this end like this. “He will make sure that hispany goes public as nned.”
"How can you do that?"
"He''ll figure it out. He always manages to find a way."
Given Caden''s rising profile, Alicia realized Joshua would stop at nothing to revive hispany. He could lose to anyone, but not to Caden.
It would be intriguing to see who he was searching for in his despair.
However, nothing would really change. In the end, she would fall into Caden''s trap.
.
.
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