Chapter 396:


    While dining together was one thing, truly enjoying the experience was an entirely different matter.


    He sneered, preparing to feign indifference.


    After all, he was well aware of Alicia’s feelings for him.


    Though she was sharing a meal with ke, he dismissed it as merely a performance.


    At most, they shared somemon ground due to their simr fields of study.


    However, for reasons he couldn’t quite understand, he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from the photo.


    Caden desperately wanted to find evidence that would prove Alicia was merely putting on an act.


    He longed to see that their interaction was nothing more than a meal, with no deeper connection.


    Yet the more intently he examined the image, the angrier he grew.


    It was clear that Alicia’s happiness was genuine.


    In the months following their argument, every time she had encountered him, she wore a deadpan expression or made biting remarks meant to provoke him.


    But with ke, her eyes radiated joy! And their familiarity, which spanned only two short days, seemed to unlock something in her that he had never seen before.


    Caden turned off his phone, and the reflection staring back at him from the screen was icy and detached, revealing a jealousy he hadn’t even realized he was harboring.


    He chose not to respond.


    Gerry continued to flood him with messages.


    “Why aren’t you reacting?” Gerry texted.


    Ten minutester, he sent another message: “They finished their meal and walked out together.”


    “It’s unsafe to be out at this time of night.


    Aren’t you supposed to be dealing with something?”


    “Caden? What’s going on? Did you drop your phone in the toilet?”Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    “Caden?”


    “Do you need me to help you fish it out? Caden?”


    As Caden scanned through the barrage of messages, his irritation deepened.


    His expression turned icy.


    He finally replied, “Stop sending me messages.”


    Gerry was taken aback.


    After a few moments, Gerry tried again.


    “You’re not with Alicia anymore?”


    Caden responded coldly, “Who she decides to be with is entirely up to her.


    I couldn’t care less.”


    Gerry was once again left stunned.


    He thought to himself, Well then.


    Deciding he no longer wanted to get involved in their affairs, he chose to move on.


    After finishing their meal together, Alicia and ke went their separate ways.


    Before she left, ke turned to her and asked, “Would you be able to join me at Joy Mansion tomorrow?”


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