Chapter 196:


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    "Alice?"


    Caden was pretty sure he heard right. What was she doing here? When Gerry asked him again about joining them, Caden finally relented. “I’ll be there soon.”


    He didn''t have much with him, just a jacket, and he moved quickly.


    Ciara, already knowing the answer, asked curtly, "Are you going to bed so early?" Caden chose not to answer.


    But Ciara insisted: “You''re going the wrong way. Your room is inside. Why are you heading towards the door?”


    He replied briefly: "I''m going to bed early." Then I closed the door behind him and left.


    The music in the bar was deafening.


    Alicia was holed up in a booth, her attention fixed on her phone. Every now and then, she checked to make sure Monica was safe as she danced among the crowd.


    Gerry, aware that Alicia did not drink alcohol, filled a ss with c and brought it to her.


    Alice agreed. “Thank you. Don''t worry about me, Mr. Hopkins. “I’m fine on my own.”


    Gerry nced at his phone screen. “Still busy with work?”


    “No,” Alice replied, “I was just bored and looking for something to do.”


    "But you''ve been going through this for a while. Do you have something in mind?" Gerry asked.


    Alice remained silent.


    I have turned off the phone.


    It was impossible to concentrate on her studies or having fun. The hours passed, but her recent argument with Caden kept reying in her mind.


    It bothered her that he saw her only as a sexual partner, and Alicia didn''t understand why it bothered him so much. Would she have agreed if Caden had suggested they go out? She felt torn. Meanwhile, Gerry, oblivious to her tension, ate contentedly.


    Suddenly, he stood up and waved. “Caden, eat here!” Alice jumped.


    I have looked up.


    Caden, dressed in a ck shirt with his jacket slung over his arm, moved through the noisy crowd. His tall frame and striking features stood out under the vibrant lights of the bar, adding an almost maic aura to his presence.


    He headed straight to his table.


    Alicia quickly turned her head, leaning back in her seat, not wanting him to notice her.


    But Gerry''s excitement ruined her attempt to remain inconspicuous. She turned to Caden and said, "I was going to drink alone, but then I saw Alicia. I thought it would be more fun with more people, so I invited you."


    Caden didn''t recognize Alicia at all. He sat down and focused on something else, acting as if she didn''t exist.


    Gerry asked, “Aren''t you going to say hello to her?”


    Caden replied coldly, “No.”


    Alice was momentarily taken back.


    Gerry clicked his tongue, looking between them. “What''s the problem between you two? Does it really have to be like this?” He opened a bottle and took a swig, while Caden joined him, his gaze elsewhere.


    As Caden drank, his eyes briefly met Alicia''s.


    Gerry, sensing the awkward tension, tried to lighten the mood by leaning towards Alice. “Want to y somethingter?”


    Alice looked up and said, “No, you have fun yourself.”


    Gerry put his hand on the phone. “You''re here. Forget about studying. You don''te to a bar often. Let me show you a game.”


    Then he pulled his wrist towards Caden.


    Alicia tensed, unsure of how to decline Gerry''s insistence.


    Caden looked at their joined hands, his expression still neutral, his face revealing no emotion.


    Neither of them made eye contact.


    The tension was palpable.


    Gerry kept talking non-stop, and Alice barely understood any of the rules he was exining.


    “Got it?” Gerry asked excitedly. “Use this strategy to beat Caden. Keep your ss full.”


    Alicia forced a smile, although she was disinterested. “I''ll pass. “I don’t really feel like it.”


    “Don''t worry. “I’ll teach you some tricks to win,” Gerry insisted. Alice was momentarily speechless. Could he be any louder?


    Fortunately, Monica returned soon, to Alicia''s relief.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    He asked her for help in a low voice. “Monica, I want to go.”


    Monica, slightly drunk and cheerful, asked loudly, "Do you want to go?" Alice winced. Monica was so loud!


    Of course, Monica''s question caught Gerry''s attention.


    "Why so soon? Caden just got here."


    That was exactly the reason why Alice wanted to leave.


    She kept her thoughts to herself, though, not wanting to make the situation worse with Caden. By now, she had given up on arguing with him.


    Monica didn''t want her to leave. Even though the alcohol slowed down her responses, she was strong and held on to Alicia tightly.


    Seeing Monica like this, Alicia feltpelled to stay and watch her.


    The bar was full of bold and attractive women, and soon a few of them approached Gerry.


    One particrly bold woman sat down right next to Caden and asked if she could have a drink with him.


    Caden didn''t push her away. He casually lowered his ss to hers.


    Taking advantage of the moment, the woman leaned closer, almost pressing her curvaceous body against his, and tried to start a conversation.


    "Hey, do you have a girlfriend?"


    Caden didn''t push her away or invite her closer. He simply replied, “Do you really want to know? You’re already in my arms, aren’t you?”


    The woman giggled.


    It wasn''t just his handsome looks that made him attractive; it was his charismatic aura, tinged with a hint of danger, that truly captivated her. The woman moved even closer to Caden, almost pressing herself against him, and took his drink. “Let me try this,” she said, her voice low.


    After leaving a suggestive lipstick mark on the rim, she handed the ss back to him.


    "It''s not that good," hemented cheekily. "I''d rather taste the drink from your lips."


    Alicia kept her gaze down, avoiding looking at them, but she couldn''t block out their voices. Was Caden quiet because she was kissing her? Were they kissing now?


    Just thinking about it made Alice''s throat tighten.


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