Chapter: 1417

While the adults mingled, the children showed little interest. Caden, taller and colder than Alicia, eyed her disdainfully, surrounded by her doting parents. He had a deep-seated aversion to people who seemed overly happy. Particularly on the day they reunited at school, Alicia handed him candy.

The weather was gloomy, with dark clouds looming over the school.

Despite Caden's icy demeanor that repelled others, Alicia approached him, offering him candy. “My dad doesn't let me have chocolate. My mom gave it to me in secret," she said in her youthful voice, still resonant in Caden's memory. "Here's one for you. Let's be friends."

Phil had taught Alicia those words, and while she repeated them to everyone, she only shared candy with Caden, This act set off a chain of events that would influence their interactions for years.

Alicia, affected by the significant repercussions of Caden's later actions, struggled to remember the candy. She questioned skeptically, “Did I really give it to you? My father always pushed me to be perfect, controlling even the smallest things like sweets. If I managed to get two candies, I'd keep it a secret. Why would I give one to you?"