Chapter 172:


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    This was Caden''s first visit here. Their rtionship wasn''t public, so they rarely appeared together outside. But with the study almost deserted at this hour, Alicia feltfortable and led him into the living room.


    Alicia took some time to freshen up and change her clothes. Meanwhile, Caden sat silently, deep in thought.


    When Alice reappeared, her mood seemed dull and apathetic. She didn''t rush to leave. Instead, she joined Caden and drank from the same ss of water he had just used.


    Noticing his low mood, Caden asked, “What''s wrong?” Have you lost a match really taken all your energy?”


    Alicia shook her head. “It''s not about winning or losing.” She hadn''t nned to share it, but Caden''s question stirred a feeling of injustice in her. “Why did he cheat on me?”


    Caden kept hisposure. “What he did was wrong, but consider it a lesson. You haven’t really lost anything.”


    Alice frowned. “You''re not my teacher. Why are you reading me?”


    “So what should I say?” Caden replied, his tone even. “Would you rather Ifort you?”


    Alice was silent. Now that would be strange.


    Offering advice was typical of Caden, but this time, it felt different.


    Alice took another sip of water, then remembered an earlier incident. “Did you notice when he was choking me?”


    “Yes,” Caden replied, his expression unreadable.


    Alicia''s fear was still palpable. “It felt like he had something on me. His grip was so strong. “If no one had intervened, he could have seriously hurt me.” She tried to sound nonchnt, but the fear still lingered in her voice.


    Caden is an idiot. He didn''te to help. How heartless, she thought, frustration simmering inside her.


    She could feel the intensity of Caden''s gaze, which was putting her under considerable pressure. Unable to contain her frustration, she red at him. “You wish I was dead, didn''t you?”


    Caden replied, “You''re tough as nails. I doubt you’ll go down easily.”


    He had been slow to intervene because he wanted to see if Alice could escape the dam on her own. When he realized that she couldn''t, he was about to intervene, but the others got there first.


    Alicia pursed her lips in annoyance. She was visibly upset by hisments. Feeling hurt and disappointed, she no longer wanted to be around him and stood up to leave. Caden held out his hand and pulled her along.


    "A chokehold isn''t unbeatable. Let me show you how to escape from it."


    Alicia, however, was not in the mood. “I’ll have my coach teach me another time.”


    “She can''t teach you what I can.” Caden pulled her to her feet. “Try to strangle me and I’ll prove it to you.”


    Alice nced at him, then, with a sigh, she stood up and put her arms around his neck.


    Caden looked at her. “Is your touch so gentle because you seek instruction, or are you trying to seduce me?”


    Alice frowned. Then she tightened her grip on her arms slightly.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Caden was 6''2″, almost 6''3″ with shoes on, and had a sturdy build. Although Alicia wasn''t particrly short, the disparity in their sizes was obvious. To effectively suffocate him, she looked more like a sloth clinging to a tree.


    Feeling exhausted from the training session and in a bad mood, Alice jumped impulsively, wrapping her legs around her waist.


    Caden was momentarily speechless. He grabbed her by the hips and said coldly, “Is this your technique for handling attackers?”


    Alicia bowed her head and rested it on her shoulder. “Caden, I don''t want to learn.” Not now.


    Caden remained silent, neither urging nor criticizing her. Instead, he asionally caressed the small of her back. His fingers were nimble, teasing a tingling sensation around her waist.


    She squirmed. “You…”


    Caden raised an eyebrow, hisugh light. “Does a simple touch make youugh out loud?”


    Alice defended herself sharply. “Who? Me? Certainly not.”


    Caden felt a stir inside him too. I have leaned over and kissed her.


    Alicia surrendered to the kiss.


    They rarely held back with each other. Their attraction was undeniable, and their youthful energy made them quickly turn on each other. But Alice was too exhausted at the moment. She fell in with little resistance.


    Caden meant to tease her, but as their kisses deepened, he too became lost in the moment. He said huskily, “Let’s go home and try out the new bed.”


    Alice''s cheeks flushed. She bit her lip and hid her face in his neck.


    “I thought you wanted to stay here,” she whispered.


    Caden replied, “I don''t always follow impulses.”


    Alice quickly added: “But yesterday in the car…”


    Cadenughed softly. “Okay, sometimes I just can’t resist.”


    Alice burst outughing. Her spirits lifted.


    Caden gently set her down. “Go to the car and wait for me. “I need to go to the bathroom.”


    "OK."


    In the adjacent men''s locker room, the man who had previously attacked Alicia was in the process of removing her clothes when he heard the door open. I have turned around to find an unfamiliar face.


    “Who are you? “A new apprentice?” I have asked.


    Caden stood firm, emanating a formidable aura.


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