Chapter 179:


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    Alicia put her phone back in her bag, her face disfigured. “Keeping your mouth shut won’t kill you.”


    Caden shrugged. “If you were that interested, you should have mentioned it earlier. “I know a lot of great guys who would be perfect for you.”


    Alice remained silent. Just listening to him was suffocating. She felt incredibly ufortable around him.


    With a firm decision, he turned around and walked away.


    Monica rushed over and took Alice by the arm. “I know some friends of my father''s who might be helpful. Come with me to meet them. Maybe they can help you with the opening of your gallery.”


    Alice''s face lit up in a smile.


    Mr. Wade approached Caden and murmured, "Mr. Ward, Mr. Yates has arrived."


    Caden nodded, swirling his wine. “Proceed as nned.”


    "Understood."


    Joshua entered the art exhibition with Lilliana. He struck up a business conversation with Mr. Wade, while Lilliana strolled around outside. As a member of the Green family, she stood out from the crowd.


    When she saw Alice talking to some people, Lilliana came over to tease her. “What''s wrong with you? Has your father abandoned you? You look desperate.”


    Alice was about to attack, but stopped when she noticed Lilliana''s bulge. She decided to bite her tongue, after all, the baby was innocent.


    “Miss Green, hello. How are you?” Alice asked. “I see you''re pregnant. It hasn''t been long, has it? Do you think it will affect the wedding ns?”


    He had struck a chord.


    Lilliana looked at her coldly. “Don''t worry. I''m sure you''ll be invited to the wedding. “It will be a spectacle.”


    Alicia''s smile didn''t falter. "I wouldn''t miss it for the world. After all, it''s my ex-husband''s second attempt." She looked at Lilliana''s bump. "Is the baby''s first month celebration going to coincide with the wedding?"


    Lilliana snapped, her patience exhausted. “My personal life is none of your business.”


    "I don''t care, I''m just curious. It''s a good thing to have two happy asions at once," said Alice with a harmless smile.


    A friend of Lilliana''s stepped forward, pointing usingly at Alice. ''Enough of your sarcasm! You''re only jealous because Mr. Yates is going to marry Lilliana. If you can''t keep a man, it''s your fault. It''s always the unloved woman they call a mistress.''


    He tried to hit Alicia, but Monica quickly pped his hand away.


    “Mistress? Who said mistress?” Monica said aloud. “No one has ever called Lilliana mistress.”


    Lilliana’s friend’s expression changed ufortably. “I was trying to say…”


    "Of course, of course. Isn''t it true that Joshua was unfaithful during his marriage and got Lilliana pregnant before ending his first marriage? It''s public knowledge. Let''s not dwell on it," Monica added bluntly.


    Lilliana''s friend was speechless and quickly turned to Lilliana. "Lilliana, I didn''t mean it like that..."


    The nearby onlookers began to whisper more intensely. Lilliana''s expression darkened and she shot her friend a fierce look before storming off.


    Monica stood up with her hands on her hips. “You think she can act so superior when she’s the one causing the trouble? “Ridiculous.”


    Alicia reassured Monica with a gentle pat on the back. “Calm down. There’s no need to be so upset.”


    After calming Monica down, Alicia''s thoughts turned to Caden. How long would it take him to confront Joshua?


    In the meeting room, Joshua was deep in negotiations with Mr. Wade. The deal would be finalized that very day, and once the contract was signed, the money would be transferred.


    “Let’s get this over with quickly,” Joshua urged sinctly. “Understand my situation.”


    Mr. Wade kept hisposure. “Mr. Yates, I regret to inform you that I am unable to transfer the funds.”


    Joshua frowned, confused. “What do you mean?” He struggled to control his anger. “I gave you the painting, and now you refuse to pay?”


    Mr Wade borated on the matter. “Just today, the police have contacted me. They have expressed their concern…”


    Mr Wade continued: “Police have raised questions about the ownership of the painting you sold. “It appears it is not registered in your name.”


    Joshua''s gaze intensified. "How could it not be mine if it was in my possession?"


    "The police investigated and determined that the painting actually belongs to your ex-wife, Alicia."


    "It was indeed hers, but it was included in ourmon property. She didn''t take anything when she left," Joshua replied.


    "So why did you report it?" Mr. Wade asked.


    "She ims that she owned the painting before our marriage, and that it has no rtion to me."


    Mr. Wade confronted him, frustration clear in his voice. “Mr. Yates, this is not right. This amounts to theft. I was going to pay $200 million and now I am at risk of being sued. What have I done to deserve this from you?”


    Joshua struggled to breathe as the weight of the situation hit him. He had suspected Alicia would eventually find out about the sale, but he hadn''t anticipated her doing so quickly. With Mr. Wade and the police on his side, it was clear Caden had had something to do with it.


    His finances were already tight, and thistest problem had pushed him over the edge. He lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself.


    Mr. Wade realized that Joshua was cornered. “Mr. Yates, I understand that you are in a difficult situation. How much do you need?”


    Joshua looked defeated. “Why? Can you help?”


    Mr. Wade agreed. “Absolutely. You''re just facing a temporary setback. Once yourpany goes public, you''ll recover. “I’d rather remain on good terms.”


    Joshua stubbed out his cigarette. “I need more than $3 billion. Can you provide it for me?”


    “Personally, no, but I know someone who might,” Mr. Wade said, picking up his phone. “I’ll get him on the phone right away.”


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