?<strong>Chapter 892:</strong>


    Caden was momentarily taken aback.


    After settling into the car, Caden asked, “How did you figure out I was only pretending with Luci?”


    Alicia buckled her seatbelt. “If she truly valued ethics and cared about not damaging rtionships, she wouldn’t offer herself in exchange for financial help.” The inconsistency in her character was ring.


    “But your w is more evident,” Alicia added. “If Luci really annoyed you, you wouldn’t have allowed her to linger around you for days, nor would you have apanied me to visit her in the hospital.”


    Alicia had her suspicions initially, but such behavior didn’t align with Caden’s usual demeanor, prompting only a faint suspicion in her heart.


    It wasn’t until Caden dered their rtionship to Luci that his true motives surfaced, confirming Alicia’s suspicions.


    Caden remained silent, concentrating on the road. Alicia yed with some rose petals in her hand. “Caden, you don’t need to stage these scenarios.”


    Caden kept his gaze fixed on the road, his face thoughtful. “I just want to make us official.” Perhaps thebel wasn’t so important.


    He simply wanted to test whether she would stay in Warrington and confirm her feelings for him.


    Caden found it hard to read Alicia’s mood that evening.


    She appeared normal, contributing asionally to the conversation at dinner, but the vibe was somewhat dull.


    Caden didn’t inquire whether she was upset.


    It seemed unnecessary.


    Even if she were displeased, he was prepared to find other ways to cement his position in her life.


    Alicia noticed that Caden was only picking at the greens on his te, leaving the rest. She set down her fork. “Let’s go.”


    Caden looked at her half-full te.


    “Not hungry?”


    “No.”


    As they drove back to the vi, Caden said, “I need to swing by my apartment first. I haven’t fed Cade yet.”


    Alicia asked, “Where are you headedter?”


    “To your ce to sleep.”


    Aware of his tactics, Alicia chose not to challenge him and let it pass.


    They pulled up beneath his apartment building.


    Caden asked, “Want toe up for a bit?”


    Alicia shook her head, dodging the invitation.


    But avoiding the past was futile; even without going upstairs, the familiar scene outside the window stirred her emotions.


    .


    .


    .