?Chapter 243:
Alice looked at Gerry, her expressionposed but unreadable.
“No.
”
“Maybe he’s stuck in traffic?” Gerry suggested, trying to defend Caden.
“It’s such a big event; there’s no way he’s going to miss it.
I’ll call him.
”
Alice quickly intervened, stopping him.
“No need.
If he cane, he will.
” Not wanting Gerry to discern her emotions, she added, “I’ll go and greet the guests.
”
Gerry followed her, about to ask if she and Caden had argued, when he suddenly saw a tall, striking man approaching Alicia with a bouquet of flowers.
“Miss Bet,” the man greeted her cordially, his eyes filled with admiration and affection.
“Congrattions.
”
Gerry''s curiosity was instantly piqued.
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Who was that guy?
He carried himself with an air of importance, dressed in a tailored suit and a watch that probably cost a fortune.
It was clear that he was wealthy.
And now he was handing a bouquet to Alice while looking at her with an undeniable intensity.
Gerry''s eyes sparkled with intrigue as he discreetly pulled out his phone, ready to capture the moment.
Alice epted the flowers graciously, thanking him.
They chatted briefly, sharingughs, an attitude that seemed friendly andfortable, but not overly familiar.
Gerry found the perfect angle and took several photos.
After exchanging a few, Alicia ced the bouquet on the gift table and ced it among the other gifts from clients and friends.
The man noticed and seemed to understand the subtle message.
It was clear that he had feelings for her, but to Alice he was just a friend.
She epted the roses so as not to hurt his feelings, but to Alice they were nothing more than a polite gesture.
Gerry wasted no time.
He quickly sent the photos to Caden, apanied by a text message: “Why aren’t you here? Your rival in love has already made his move… with flowers!”
Just as he hit send, there was amotion at the entrance.
Alice turned her head, curious to know the origin of themotion.
Caden entered, dressed in an impable suit.
His imposing presence and striking features silenced the lively gathering for a moment, drawing all eyes to him.
He effortlessly captured the room''s attention.
Alicia took a deep breath, imitating his poise, as she greeted him with a serene smile.
Caden''s sharp gaze swept the room, taking in the crowd of high society guests.
The rose man stiffened, realizing he had beenpletely outmatched.
Discreetly, he retreated into the background.
Caden approached Alicia, his steps measured and deliberate.
Keeping a respectful distance, he handed her a gift.
“Mrs.
Bet, I apologize for beingte,” he said, his voice firm and his face neutral.
But the intensity in his eyes betrayed much more than his calm demeanor let on.
Alice''s pulse quickened as she epted the gift.
"Not at all, Mr.
Ward.
I''m d you coulde.
"
As she picked up the box, Caden''s fingers brushed against hers.
She froze.
His long fingers brushed against hers with a subtle but deliberate touch, causing an unexpected shiver to pass through her.
Alice quickly looked away, pulling her hand away as she walked back with the gift.
Caden noticed the slight blush creeping up her ears and couldn''t suppress a small smile.
Alicia, dazzling in her elegant champagne-coloured dress, was a vision.
The dress, perfectly fitted to her graceful figure, enhanced her natural beauty.
She radiated a confidence that made her even more captivating.
Before long, she was immersed in the festivities once again, effortlessly charming those around her.
Caden, still holding his ss of wine, maintained hisposure, asionally ncing at her.
Gerry approached her with a mischievous smile.
“Did you see that bouquet of roses? Alicia has made it clear that she is not looking for anything serious, and yet this guy dared to try.
He must have a very high opinion of himself.
”
Caden’s expression remained impassive.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.
“So?”
Gerry raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“Don’t you sense the slightest hint ofpetition?”
Caden''s gaze shifted to the well-dressed man loitering nearby, stealing nces at Alicia.
"Someone like him doesn''t stand a chance with Alicia," he said, his tone firm and confident.
Gerry scoffed, shaking his head.
“Don’t be so cocky.
People change.
What if one day Alice gets tired of you and looks for something new?”
Caden''s response was cold and unwavering.
"You''re quite theedian.
"
Would Alice ever tire of him? He would make sure that never happened.
A waiter walked by, swinging a tray of drinks.
Caden set down his ss and exchanged a few quiet words with the waiter.
After giving him some money, the waiter nodded and went on his way.
At that moment, Caden''s phone rang.
He answered it and listened intently to the voice on the other end.
His expression turned serious and, after nodding, he put the phone in his pocket and walked out.
Momentster, his car disappeared into the night.
When Alicia finished her responsibilities, she searched for Caden in the crowd, but he was nowhere to be found.
Her gaze drifted toward the entrance: his car had disappeared as well.
Gerry approached her, offering an exnation.
“Caden had some urgent business at the office.
He couldn’t stay.
You don’t need to wait for him for dinner.
”
Alice paused briefly before nodding in understanding.
Since opening his gallery, he had cultivated a calm exterior, which allowed him to handle both minor and major matters with grace.
This made it almost impossible for others to discern his true emotions.
Gerry raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“You’re not mad at him?”
After all, Caden had not only arrivedte, but had left early, a gesture that could easily be considered rude.
Alicia shook her head, her tone calm and businesslike.
“I’m going back to work now.
Please have fun, Mr.
Hopkins.
”
Gerry stood in stunned silence.
His generosity was amazing.
Did they call this love?
As Alice turned to leave, she noticed that the bouquet of roses was no longer on the gift table.
She looked around the room, but there was no sign of it.
Instead, her eyes fell on a waiter who looked visibly uneasy.
Alice approached him, her expression calm but inquisitive.
Before she could say a word, the waiter blurted out, “Miss Bet, I swear I didn’t throw away the flowers!”
Alice blinked in surprise.
She hadn''t even asked.
Realizing his slip, the waiter''s face turned crimson and he fell silent, clearly nervous.
Alice had no intention of reproaching him.
Instead, she asked calmly, "Who told you to do that?"
The waiter hesitated for a moment and then admitted, “It was Mr.
Ward.
He said one of the guests was allergic to pollen and asked me to get rid of the flowers.
”
For a moment, Alice stood still, processing the revtion.
“Allergic, shit,” she thought, her lips curling into a slight, incredulous smile.
“Caden really is a mean man.
”