Chapter 182:


    ? ? ? ? ?


    Joshua stood there stunned, unable to think clearly as he took in the weight of the situation.


    With a livid expression, he asked, "What exactly do you want?"


    Caden casually crossed his legs and replied, “I''m your elder brother, I''m here to help you. However, three billion dors is a significant sum. Your sincerity needs confirmation.”


    Joshua then realized that Caden had orchestrated this as an insult. And his goal was to humiliate him in front of Alicia.


    Unable to retaliate or escape, Joshua felt trapped.


    Caden had overwhelming evidence against him, and Joshua was not prepared for the confrontation.


    With a smirk, Caden said, "Can''t you swallow your pride? Why don''t you ask the Yates or the Green family for help?"


    The words struck a nerve. Joshua had once believed they would help him, but when he needed them most, they had disappeared.


    Rooted to the spot, fury in his eyes, Joshua stood helpless, feeling reduced to nothing more than a joke.


    Impatiently, Caden dered, “It''s gettingte. “I’ll call the police to take care of you.”


    This was the ultimatum.


    Joshua clenched his fists so hard his knuckles cracked. Straining, he roared, “Caden, what do you want from me?”


    Caden''s grimace widened. “Do you need me to lend you money?”


    Joshua''s teeth ground together, almost to the point of breaking. He was cornered, left with two terrible choices: endure Caden''s insults or face imprisonment.


    Actually, I had no choice.


    The bitter taste of blood filled her mouth as she forced out the word, “Yes.”


    Caden''s smile turned icy. “Alicia has the funds. If you need money, ask her.”


    Alice raised her eyes.


    She expected to feel ufortable seeing Joshua like this, but instead a feeling of satisfaction washed over her.


    He had been maniptive and relentless, pursuing her even after their divorce. Now, atst, she was facing the consequences.


    “Three billion dors is non-trivial sum, Mr. Yates. Now that you have dared to ask for it, can you really pay it back?” Alice asked icily.


    Joshua could hardly believe he had fallen so low in Alicia''s eyes.


    Trying tough, he asked, "Are you pleased to see me like this?"


    Alice gave a small, indifferent smile. “Not really.


    Despite feeling defeated, Joshua''s pride persisted. "You despise me for my betrayal, but you can''t hide that you still care about me. You once loved me, remember?"


    Alice replied indifferently: "My displeasure arises from the loss it would be to me if I lent you that money so easily. Mr. Yates, have you ever been pped?"


    Joshua was stunned.


    “Do it yourself,” Alice ordered harshly. “p yourself until I am satisfied. Then I will consider lending you the money.”


    Joshua''s eyes filled with rage.


    "Is this why you''ve been sided with Caden, to humiliate me?" He bellowed, "Alice, remember who stood by you when you were down!"


    “Sure, I remember your sweet talk,” Alice replied. “And I haven''t forgotten your antics on our anniversary, your involvement in my cyberbullying, and more. Shall we go over the details?”


    Joshua sneered disdainfully.


    He ignored her ws and sneered, “The deeper the love, the deeper the hate, Alice. Is this your way of showing your frustration at being unable to make me love you?”


    Alice felt a wave of revulsion.


    She was about to stand up, fist clenched, but Caden held her back and gestured for someone toe over. “Just a few ps. If you can’t, I’ll have someone else do it,” he told Joshua.


    Caden''s bodyguards walked in, walked straight up to Joshua, and pped him hard.


    Joshua, overwhelmed by humiliation and rage, attempted to resist. However, he was quickly subdued, outnumbered and outmaneuvered.


    Caden watched the scene with indifference.


    Then he coldly said to Alice: "You decide the number of ps."


    The ps echoed throughout the room, each one systematically knocking down Joshua''s pride.


    Subdued, Alicia lowered her head and instinctively grabbed onto Caden''s arm.


    Caden looked at her, raising an eyebrow. “Are you embarrassed?”


    Before Alice could answer, the door was flung open.


    Lilliana, visibly pregnant, entered with authority. “Stop immediately this!”


    Although she was alone, her condition and imposing presence forced the bodyguards to stop.


    Blood was streaming from Joshua''s mouth as he stood defiantly, clinging to his remaining dignity.


    Lilliana rushed to his side, her eyes filled with tears of concern. “Joshua, are you okay?”


    Alice, who had gotten what she was looking for, lost interest in the scene unfolding before her.


    She casually tugged on Caden''s arm. “We should get going.”


    Caden, his gaze fixed on his hand, responded by tenderly stroking his fingers.


    Then he asked, “Now that you have spoken, when will you send the money?”


    With a smirk, Alice looked at Joshua, who lookedpletely devastated.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    “Did I promise to lend it?” she mused, affecting a thoughtful expression. “Oh, yes, I suppose so.” With a shrug, she added, “I''ve reconsidered. “I’m not going to lend the money after all.”


    He turned around and walked briskly out.


    Joshua watched her go, his intense gaze filled with unspoken fury.


    Caden hesitated a moment before stepping in front of Alicia, positioning himself so that Joshua couldn''t see her as she walked away.


    .


    .


    .