Chapter: 133

Joshua's intense gaze made Alicia uncomfortable, prompting her to use a tactic from the book.

"I was walking too quickly and accidentally collided with Caden," she explained softly, her hand still on her forehead. Feeling overwhelmed, she added, "I'm feeling a bit dizzy. May I go inside to rest for a while?"

Joshua brushed off her hand, revealing a red mark on her forehead.

Alicia was not typically so yielding.

Joshua chose not to probe further at that moment. "Go and rest in my room. I'll check on you later."

Reluctantly, Alicia questioned the appropriateness of her resting in his room.

“Is it really okay for me to be in your room?" she asked with a worried look. “What if Miss Green finds out?"

"She's not here today," Joshua reassured her.

"But someone could see," Alicia persisted, still hesitant.

Joshua reassured her with confidence, “With my permission, no one will dare to gossip."

He gently guided Alicia by the shoulders towards the interior.

"Proceed, I need to discuss a few things with Caden."

Alicia compressed her lips but reluctantly moved away.

Joshua then turned to confront Caden, a rarity given their usual avoidance of each other. "Do you have an interest in Alicia?"

Caden responded with a dismissive scoff, "What leads you to think that?"

Joshua's frustration was palpable as he clenched his teeth.

“You two have always been at odds. Why did you assist her at the police station yesterday?"

Caden moved toward the living room, explaining, "She's an old classmate. I was merely helping out. Is there an issue with that?"

Not satisfied, Joshua persisted as he followed Caden.

"This isn't merely about old school ties, is it?"

His tone was accusatory.

Caden settled into a chair in the side room, crossing his legs and smirking up at Joshua.

"You seem quite touchy, don't you?" He provocatively questioned, "Does it bother you, thinking something might be going on between me and your ex-wife?"

Joshua's expression darkened instantly.

“Caden, you're crossing a line."

Caden, ever unperturbed, retorted, “Just a question. Why so defensive?"

Joshua balled his hands into fists, his usual indifference towards women overshadowed by the recent shifts in Alicia's behavior.

The thought of Caden accompanying Alicia to the police station, their arrival together today, and their exchanged glances-none sat well with him, unsettling him deeply.

"Alicia is with me now," Joshua stated assertively, standing erect.

"You ought to maintain some distance from her," he advised Caden.