?Chapter 210:


    Three individuals were in the elevator.


    While Alicia and Caden were lost in thought, Gerry remained blissfully oblivious to the tension.


    Approaching Alice, Gerry asked, “Alice, what’s wrong? You look flushed.


    Are you hot? Your face is very red.


    ”


    As Gerry spoke, Alicia felt Caden’s mocking gaze intensify.


    Trying to brush away the awkwardness, she touched her cheek and forced a smile.


    “Oh, yeah? I hadn’t noticed.


    ”


    Fortunately, the elevator arrived at the first floor shortly after.


    Alice quickly left.


    Gerry, misreading the mood, turned to Caden and asked, “What have you done to him? He doesn’t seem to like being around you.


    ”


    Caden ignored the question and began gathering the bags.


    Trying to be helpful, Gerry lifted some of the bags, but then noticed something unusual about Caden.


    “Do you have a boner?”


    Caden''s expression remained impassive.


    "It''s that time of day.


    "


    Puzzled, Gerry persisted, “What time?”


    "It usually happens around this time," Caden exined firmly.


    Gerry stood speechless, staring at himself, bewildered by the routines of his own body.


    Meanwhile, Alice, who had arrived by taxi and was nning to leave the same way, was offered a ride by Gerry.


    “Come with me, Alice.


    It’s not safe to carry such a valuable painting alone at night.


    ”


    Grateful, Alice epted his offer.


    As they loaded the painting into Gerry''s car, Caden approached Alicia with a tube of ointment.


    Recognizing it, Alice realized it was the same ointment Caden had used earlier to soothe her bruises: expensive and effective due to its rarity.


    Caden said indifferently, “It works for other bruises too.


    I don’t need it.


    If you don’t want it, just throw it away.


    Whatever you decide.


    ”


    Alicia paused, momentarily shocked to remember the forgotten bruise on her knee.


    The pain seemed trivial now.


    After a brief hesitation, she reached for the ointment.


    The tube felt warm in her hand, as if Caden had been holding it the whole time.


    This realization sparked a fleeting,plex emotion, subtly shifting the air between them.


    Seeking to escape the tension, Alice turned to Gerry.


    “Mr.


    Hopkins, can we go now?”


    Gerry, sensing the end of their conversation, finished with the trunk.


    “All set,” he announced.


    As Caden walked away, Alice found herself watching his retreating figure.


    Their rtionship had been filled with intense moments, but itcked a solid foundation.


    It was over, decisively.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Their shared history seemed to have been erased, leaving nothing but a deep sense of loss.


    Alice only looked away when Caden disappearedpletely from her sight.


    Turning around, she found Gerry watching her, his expression worried.


    Surprised, she listened to him speak bluntly.


    "So you have feelings for Caden too.


    I thought he was the one stalking you.


    "


    With a bitter smile, Alicia replied, “We’re talking about Caden Ward.


    I’m sure countless women want to be with him.


    ”


    “Why aren’t they together then?” Gerry asked, puzzled.


    “Is there still resentment from thatstpetition?”


    Alice looked down, her feelings a mix of uncertainty and thoughtfulness, unsure of how to respond.


    Gerry watched Alicia''s silence and spected that she was right, prompting him to ask, "Joshua told you that Caden had bribed the judges at thatpetition, right?"


    Alice, taken aback by the abrupt reference, sensed that something was wrong.


    "Mr.


    Hopkins, what exactly are you implying?"


    Choosing to rify, Gerry shared: “You were actually the rightful winner of thatpetition.


    Even Caden was caught off guard when the results were altered.


    He confronted the judges, who revealed that the decision was influenced by the organizers who favored the powerful Ward family, not Caden.


    ”


    Alice felt a tightness in her chest, stunned by the revtion.


    The matter had been a sore point for her, but her recent interactions with Caden had dulled the sting somewhat.


    Hearing Gerry confirm her suspicions, however, was a shock to her system.


    Was his story true?


    Her inquisitive look prompted Gerry to exin further.


    “Caden was outraged when he discovered the truth and confronted the organisers.


    However, given the tension between you at the time, he did not feel he could share it with you and decided to leave the country.


    This misunderstanding allowed Joshua to nder him.


    You know the animosity that developed between them.


    Alicia, it was naive of you to take Joshua’s word for it.


    ”


    The weight of past misunderstandings sat heavily on Alice''s chest.


    She replied bitterly, "That year, my parents had an ident.


    It clouded my judgment.


    "


    She wrestled with the painful realization that she had misjudged Caden, who had always been a directpetitor.


    “So why didn’t you clear things up when you came back?” Her voice trembled with emotion.