?Chapter 207:


    After dropping Gerry off, Caden headed to his nearby apartment.


    At the entrance, the security guard immediately recognized him and greeted him respectfully: “Mr.


    Ward, there is a package waiting for you.


    Could you please sign for it?”


    Caden frowned.


    “What package?”Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    He was not a regr online shopper.


    The guard, careful not to delve too deeply into personal matters, handed it over.


    “I’m not sure what it is.


    You might want to check.


    ”


    Caden examined thebel.


    His phone number was on it, but the recipient''s name was Cade.


    Then he understood.


    The package contained dog food that Alice had ordered online.


    She briefly held the package before tossing it onto the counter.


    “Get rid of it or sell it.


    Keep the money you make,” he said, and turned to walk away.


    The guard waited until Caden was out of sight before picking up the package, curiosity piqued.


    He was shocked.


    The package contained a luxurious brand of imported dog food, specifically for puppies.


    Caden had thrown it away so carelessly.


    Was this typical behavior of the rich?


    Feeling a little envious, the guard decided to keep the package.


    His own dog would surely enjoy such an exquisite gift.


    After putting the package away, the guard saw Alice entering the building.


    He called out to her cheerfully: “Miss Bet, we haven’t seen you for a while.


    ” Alice paused for a moment.


    He nodded and said, “Hi.


    I’m here to pick something up.


    ”


    Thinking she was referring to the dog food, the guard was about to take her when he noticed that she had not stopped at the counter, but had continued inside.


    Alice made a sound of confusion.


    She hade back to pick up a painting.


    Ever since she had moved away, she hadn''t been able to pull herself together or muster the courage to go back.


    She hadn''t wanted to get close to Caden, either.


    But tonight, she had finally decided to im what she had left behind.


    Before heading there, he discreetly checked with Gerry, who confirmed that Caden had been spending time at the officetely.


    He was sure that Caden would not be in the apartment.


    Standing at the door, Alice was sure the ce was empty, but she paused to take a deep breath before trying to open the fingerprint lock.


    But it didn''t activate.


    Confused, she realized that fingerprint recognition had been disabled.


    After a moment of hesitation, she typed in the password.


    The system beeped twice.


    The password was incorrect.


    A wave of disappointment washed over Alice.


    Had she changed her password? Or had she entered it wrong?


    She pulled her hand back, as if a thorn had been stuck in her.


    Why had he changed her? Did he want to erase all memory of her? She mocked herself.


    Forget it.


    I''d talk to Caden about the paintingter.


    At that moment, the door was unexpectedly opened from inside.


    Startled, Alice looked up.


    He stood still.


    Caden stood before her in a white shirt, the top buttons undone, exuding a casual yet aloof air.


    I hadn''t expected him to be home.


    His thoughts went nk for a moment.


    He forgot to turn around.


    Caden studied her for a moment before asking, his tone cold, "What do you want?"


    Alice quickly recovered.


    He tensed his fingers, trying to steady his emotions.


    "I''m here to pick something up.


    "


    “What exactly?” Caden asked, loosening his grip on the door, showing no sign of weing her inside.


    He seemed distant.


    Alice felt ufortable and looked down.


    “It’s my mother’s painting.


    ”


    Caden remained silent, his intense gaze fixed on her, increasing the tension.


    After a moment of silence, Alicia added, “There’s no need for me toe in.


    You could bring him to me.


    ”


    Caden broke their gaze and turned around, entering the apartment.


    “Bring it yourself.


    ”


    A tightness gripped Alice''s heart.


    She had just calmed her nerves, and thest thing she wanted was to share space with Caden.


    However, she was determined not to leave without the painting.


    After a brief hesitation, he entered.


    As she changed her shoes, she suddenly remembered her first visit.


    Tricked by Caden, she had bought condoms and blushed at this very door.


    Months had passed since then, and their rtionship had cooled to the point where even conversation seemed unnecessary.


    Swallowing her sadness, she resolved to be quick and headed toward the painting.


    Caden had ced it high on the bookshelf.


    He needed a stool to reach it.


    Caden was lying on the couch, legs crossed, staring at her openly.


    She looked thinner than he remembered.


    He felt annoyed and picked up a lighter, intending to light a scented candle.


    But then he remembered that she had made those candles and put the lighter down again.


    Alice carefully removed the picture.


    The frame was heavy and she lost her bnce as she lowered it.


    In that brief moment of instability, she held on tightly to the painting, terrified of damaging it.


    Her knee collided with the stool.


    The solid wood stool made a loud bang upon impact.


    The sound caught Caden''s attention.


    Alicia clutched her knee tightly, biting her lip as she endured the pain.


    Once the difort subsided, he limped over to return the stool to its ce, then headed for the door, holding the painting in his arms.


    Caden’s expression hardened.


    “You’re just leaving like that?”