?<strong>Chapter 831:</strong>


    “Well, that just makes it more interesting.”


    Alicia took a calming breath before responding, “Caden, whatever we had ended ages ago. Why are you still chasing this? Love can’t be coerced, you know.”


    “Who’s coercing anything?” he replied in a rxed tone.


    “Every year, I pick up a handful of projects on a whim. It just so happens that this year, yours was one of them. Ms. Bet, with your wealth, you could easily fund another. But your resistance makes me wonder — could it be that you still have lingering feelings for me?”


    Alicia was momentarily speechless. Caden continued, “I’m free these days, Ms. Bet. Just say the word, and I can swing by to pick you up anytime.”


    Alicia finally snapped.


    “Go take a hike, Caden!”


    That evening, Corey had arranged for the chef to prepare avish seafood feast. Alicia sat at the table, her face a mask of indifference, her appetite nowhere to be found. Each bite felt like a chore, her mind preupied with thoughts of Caden’s words.


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    It took longer than it should to swallow. Corey gently handed her a shrimp, his voice steady but firm.


    “I know what’s been going on. No matter how much you’re hurting, you still need to eat.”


    Alicia fixed Corey with a piercing gaze.


    “Do I look like I’m happy?”


    “Why wouldn’t you be?” Corey chuckled, shaking his head.


    “Caden must have lost his mind, spending billions on a heap of junk. That’s your magic; sleep with him and suddenly, he’s ready to squander his fortune.”


    Alicia’s eye twitched slightly.


    “What did he buy?”


    “Every raw material for your ludicrous project,” Corey revealed, leaning back in his chair.


    “I heard he’s redirected all domestic resources to Warrington, keeping them solely for himself.”


    Alicia sat in silence for several minutes, processing the news. Observing her somber face, Corey attempted reassurance.


    “Don’t feel too bad. Artificial reproduction is just a fantasy, after all. Caden’s probably doing this to provoke you. If there’s any future for this project, it might be when technology catches up—maybe twenty years from now.”


    Without a word, Alicia set down her utensils and walked out. Corey made no attempt to stop her.


    Few understood Alicia’smitment to her research, but Corey was aware of her deeper motivations. She yearned for another child. The miscarriage two years prior had left a deep, unhealed scar. Yet, she found herself unable to conceive again. She was slowlying to terms with this reality.


    When Gemma woke up and entered the dining room, she immediately noticed Alicia’s absence.


    “Where’s Alicia?” she asked, looking around the room.


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