Chapter: 185
Murmurs passed through the crowd.

“This is exactly like Mr. Gray's affair," someone murmured.

"Isn't it? Everyone in town knows about Randolph and his shameless ex. That woman's been clinging to him for years-what a slut," another added with a snort.

"And Randolph's no better! Didn't you see how he bought his first love those expensive bottles of wine? He even tried to slap his wife in the process!"

"Disgraceful," a woman spat. "Randolph and that woman are a match made in hell if you ask me. But poor Rachel... Such a refined beauty. She deserves better than that asshole. She'll leave him soon enough!"

The murmurs reached Randolph's ears, his face darkening with each word.

He grabbed Rachel roughly by the wrist, dragging her away from the scene.

"Randolph..." His first love's voice trembled as she called out to him, stunned by his sudden departure.

She reached out as if to stop him, but Randolph, caught in the weight of public scorn, ignored her. He quickened his pace, forcing Rachel to keep up as the crowd's whispers chased after them.

His first love bit her lip in humiliation, the crowd's judgmental stares cutting into her. She hurried away, hiding her face behind her bag.

Alicia stood among the spectators, silently watching the scene unfold with barely concealed amusement.

Just then, a deep voice broke through her thoughts. "Miss Bennett, you're quick on your feet, aren't you?"

She spun around, startled, to find Caden standing behind her, his gaze sharp as ever.

Feigning innocence, she blinked up at him. “I have no idea what you're talking about."

Caden's lips quirked up in a knowing smirk. “Don't play coy. Aren't you the one who hired those actors?"

Alicia's expression faltered for just a moment.

So, Caden had seen right through her scheme.

She tilted her head, sizing him up with her big, doe-like eyes.

Caden didn't flinch under her scrutiny. He let her circle him as if waiting for her next move.

Finally, Alicia paused and asked, "Do you have something on you? How else could you know everything I do?"

Caden's eyes glimmered with amusement. "It's not me... It's something on you."

"What do you mean?" Alicia instinctively felt for her bag. "Where?"

Caden smiled when he noticed that Alicia actually believed him. “You can keep searching for it when you get home. There's no rush."

Alicia took a moment to realize she had been duped.

She rolled her eyes at him in annoyance.

Caden glanced toward a spot nearby.

"You still have time to argue with me?" he said in a flat tone. "Mrs. Gray is about to walk out the door. Didn't you just defend her? Aren't you going to take this opportunity to claim credit?"

Alicia turned towards the door.

Her gaze landed on Randolph and Rachel leaving together, looking quite intimate.

Moments ago, Rachel had appeared utterly pitiful, but now she radiated joy from a simple gesture by Randolph. Alicia's expression turned cold instantly.