Chapter: 18

But Alicia wasn't one to back down. "Fine, but I need to blindfold you," she declared, a mischievous spark flickering across her eyes.

Caden arched an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Getting creative, are we?"

"Are you going to put on the blindfold or shall 1?"

Caden chuckled, his laughter a low rumble. "Do as you please."

Without hesitation, he pulled off his tie and tossed it to her.

Alicia caught it, her grip tightening as her own nerves threatened to betray her.

Steadying herself, she wrapped it around his eyes, her hands trembling only slightly before securing it in place.

Despite being enveloped in darkness, Caden stayed perfectly still, allowing her to do as she pleased.

Women had never stirred anything in him before-but that night, something within him had changed, like a dormant switch suddenly being flicked on.

Now, he wanted to know what had changed.

Alicia took a deep breath, her fingers brushing against his waist as she tugged his shirt free. A subtle heat bloomed under her hands as they slipped beneath the fabric, tracing the lines of his body.

Her touch, soft but deliberate, sent a faint shiver through him.

However, Caden couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

She could strategize flawlessly when it came to competing with him, yet around Joshua, she lost all sense. All this, for a stupid, cheap ring?

Pathetic.

Then, without warning, her fingers found his most vulnerable spot.

Pain shot through him like a lightning strike, and he jerked, veins popping out of his neck.

"Argh!"

His hand snapped to her wrist, gripping it tightly.

But before he could say anything, a knock on the door broke the tension.

"Mr. Ward," came Hank's voice from the other side, "Mr. Joshua Yates has an urgent matter to discuss with you."

Hank's sudden voice sent a jolt through Alicia, causing her to withdraw her hands as though she'd seen a ghost.

But Caden, who was in agonizing pain just now, wasn't about to let her slip away so easily. His hand shot out, restraining her as he barked toward the door, "Let him in."

ALL the color drained from Alicia's face.

“Caden, are you insane?" she hissed, panic lacing her voice.

They were both a tangled mess of disheveled clothes.

If Joshua walked in now and saw them like this, he'd never agree to the divorce!

Caden, still wincing from the pain, kept his face cold and unyielding.

"Now you're scared? You weren't so shy when you tried to break my cock earlier."

Alicia looked at him incredulously, her defiance rising to the surface. “You're the one who dragged me into this mess in the first place!"