Chapter: 135

“If you need me to peel them for you, just ask," Caden replied.

"What's wrong with peeling a few more for me? You still owe me for earlier," Alicia countered.

Caden then picked up another mangosteen, carefully peeled it, and offered it to her.

As Alicia took it into her mouth, Caden reminded, “So, the meal you promised me is still on."

This nearly made Alicia choke, but Caden quickly covered her mouth, gently ensuring she swallowed.

After enjoying the juicy fruit, Alicia commented, “It's funny how both you and Joshua are always thinking about food."

“Do you cook for him often?" Caden inquired with raised eyebrows.

"There must be something off with him. He once offered to pay me a hefty sum just to cook for him monthly," Alicia replied with a hint of sarcasm.

Caden's sarcasm deepened. "You seem to speak quite harshly of you sugar daddy."

Caught off guard, Alicia quickly popped a grape into her mouth, disguising her slip with a playful lie. “It's all in good fun."

Caden teased, "Do you talk to him like that in bed too? You were always so quiet with me, barely made a sound."

With a knowing smirk, he added, “Oh, that's right, the two of you were married for two years and never slept together."

Alicia's cheeks flushed with anger, aware that arguing with him would be futile.

Changing the subject, Caden remarked, “Don't worry about cooking for me. If it's something Joshua likes, it probably isn't very good."

Alicia scoffed under her breath.

She hadn't even agreed to cook for him, and yet he was already criticizing.

She left the side hall just as guests began to arrive.

A maid approached with a tray of pastries and drinks.

“Mr. Ward, please let us know your preferences since you've just returned and we're unfamiliar with your tastes."

Glancing at a cup, Caden thought of Alicia and requested, "Brew some coffee, please."

Jerald, feeling unwell, had retired to his room after Lunch.

Once the guests had departed, Shelia found a quiet corner to confront Joshua. "Didn't you and Alicia get divorced? Why is she here today?"

Joshua, lighting a cigarette and inhaling deeply, responded tersely, "Mom, keep out of this. It's my business."

Understanding the subtext, Shelia, once a mistress herself, quickly grasped the implications.

“Do you intend to keep Alicia by your side?"

Joshua was candid. “It's safest to keep her at the Yates Mansion. It gives her a reason to stay under the pretense of caring for Dad, and even if Lilliana finds out, we have a reasonable explanation."

He clarified that his stay wouldn't be permanent.

“I'll only see Alicia occasionally when I'm here to visit Dad."

Shelia strongly disagreed. "You and Lilliana have just stabilized your relationship. Keeping Alicia is like holding a bomb. Don't risk everything you've worked for."

Joshua's gaze was deep and inscrutable.