Chapter: 168

Alicia instinctively considered the possibility of cheap counterfeit drugs, but she could not be certain, so she remained silent.

"I am heading out for a bit, Sheila. There is no need to prepare dinner for me tonight."

Shelia looked at her suspiciously. "Where are you off to?"

"I am going to the beauty salon for some pampering."

Shelia frowned. "Do you have any idea how much a visit to the beauty salon costs?"

"I truly have no idea," Alicia replied with a smile. "Why not ask Joshua about it?"

With that, she decided not to waste any more time and left.

The more Sheila mulled it over, the angrier she became, prompting her to call Joshua to vent her frustrations.

“Why are you spending so much money on her?"

Joshua sounded irritated. “Mom, I'm in a meeting. Please do not call me unless it is urgent."

Alicia hailed a cab and made her way to the beauty salon.

She kept her attire simple and modest. Once inside, she wandered to the counter, her eyes skimming over the various beauty packages on offer.

The beautician, quick to notice Alicia's refined air, wasted no time in guiding her toward the more Luxurious options, each one more extravagant than the last.

Alicia kept her eyes on the prize-to connect with Rachel Gray, Randolph's wife. With that in mind, she selected a package priced at a staggering $100, @00, sealing the transaction with a calm smile.

Moments later, her phone buzzed. It was Joshua.

"What did you just buy?" he demanded.

Alicia couldn't help but smirk, a sarcastic curve to her lips.

Even through a text message, she could sense his agitation.

Funny, she mused. A mere $100, 000 purchase had him asking questions, yet when he drained millions from her accounts, he never batted an eye.

She typed back a quick reply. “The autumn weather has dried out my skin, so I'm getting a facial."

Time passed, and by the time she was lying in bed, winding down for the night, his delayed reply arrived. "It's good to prioritize your looks."

A beat later, another message followed, more suggestive than the last.

"Is your period over?"

Alicia rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Not yet," was her dismissive reply.

She then promptly turned off her phone, wanting nothing more to do with him for the night.

The next morning, knowing Rachel's routine, Alicia made sure to position herself strategically. Sure enough, not long after, Rachel arrived for her usual beauty treatment.

Alicia smiled and greeted her warmly.

Rachel paused, her eyes Lingering on Alicia's familiar face. After a moment, recognition dawned. “Ms. Bennett?"

On the surface, Alicia seemed calm, but she was secretly surprised Rachel recognized her.