Chapter: 16

Lilliana clung to him, her big, doe-like eyes welling up with tears.

“Please, Joshua! You have to help me! I worked so hard to get to where I am today!"

"I said, don't worry. I've got this." He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, though his gaze never left the building.

Meanwhile, Alicia stood outside the CEO's office, her path blocked by the high-tech security system.

The red light kept flashing above her, and the robotic voice kept blaring a warning of an unauthorized breach.

Hank appeared beside her, his face stone-cold. "Ms. Bennett, hand over the items."

Alicia let out a dry laugh before casually pulling two sleek knives, a bottle of pepper spray, and a handful of other self-defense gadgets from her bag.

The clatter of metal and plastic left Hank utterly speechless.

"Ms. Bennett, my boss just wants to return your belongings, not... kidnap you," he finally managed, eyeing the woman's small arsenal with disbelief.

Alicia blushed embarrassedly. "Right.. sorry."

Then she lifted at the hem of her skirt to retrieve a small stun gun strapped to her thigh.

Hank's mouth twitched, trying hard to stifle his amusement.

Of all the women clawing for Caden's attention, eager to secure their place by his side, mone had ever shown up ready for battle. He'd seen countless beautiful gowns in this line of work, but Alicia-well, she was the first to pair her dress with weapons, looking Like she was ready to take Caden down herself.

Hank chuckled under his breath. No wonder Caden always seemed so intrigued around her. She was the perfect match for his boss-an unflinching nemesis.

After receiving the signal from inside, Hank stepped aside and opened the door. "You can go in now."

Alicia took a deep breath. She had steeled herself on the way over, convinced she wouldn't let him shake her.

But the second she stepped into the office and saw the man behind the desk, her walled fortress crumbled instantly.

No, it couldn't be.

"Caden?" she squeaked. As though hearing the cowardice in her own voice, Alicia straightened her posture and lowered her voice. “What are you doing here?"

Caden, dressed in a crisp suit that outlined his masculine figure perfectly, glanced up lazily.

His posture was relaxed, almost too casual, as if he'd been expecting her all along. "Why wouldn't I be here?"

Alicia's head spun. How the hell was this man so calm? She, on the other hand, felt like she was trapped in a never-ending nightmare.

Clutching onto hope that this was all a huge mistake, she fumbled for her phone to double-check the address.

Caden's lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk. "You're not in the wrong place."

The atmosphere in the room seemed to drop a hundred degrees. Alicia's clammy hands trembled as she slowly lifted her gaze to meet his.

“Then, that means... that night..."

He didn't even blink. "Yes. It was me."

No Oh God, no!

Alicia felt as though her world had been turned upside down.

Caden, watching her unravel, leaned back in his chair with a lazy air, his eyes never leaving her face. "Still don't believe me?" he asked, his voice a slow drawl.