Chapter: 21

However, what greeted him was the cold, robotic voice informing him that the number was unavailable.

It turned out she had blocked him.

Meanwhile, back in the office.

Alicia rose from her hiding spot, smoothing out her clothes as she stood.

She had overheard everything, and now, she had started to put two and two together. "The woman Joshua was with-isn't she that famous pop singer, Lilliana Green?"

Alicia's brows furrowed. The familiar name, "Lilliana", echoed in her mind. The famous singer had deep connections in the entertainment world.

It had to be her. Lilliana Green had to be Joshua's new partner—in more ways than one.

Caden, still reeling from the pain, eyed her sardonically. “Your husband's about to have a child with another woman, yet you still have no idea who she is?"

Alicia pursed her Lips unhappily.

Then, suddenly recalling the reason she had come here, she glanced at the bite mark on Caden's hand.

The area was still red and swollen, but the wound had already started to scab over.

With a calculated air, she relaxed her expression and let out a small sigh. “I'm sorry, I didn't realize I bit you that hard," she purred. “Hold on. Let me clean the wound."

Taken aback, Caden arched his brows curiously. Looking into her beautiful, innocent eyes, his resolve wavered.

"The first aid kit is in the cabinet."

He even moved his chair aside, giving Alicia some room to sit across from him.

Reclining in his chair, he seemed relaxed, his eyes lazily following Alicia's movements as she carefully tended to his wound.

Predictably, after a stretch of silence, Alicia couldn't hold back any longer. "So, you've acquired Lilliana's company. Does that mean you're taking her, too?"

Caden smirked, easily reading the undercurrent of her question. “Are you begging me to deal with her?"

Alicia's lips twitched in irritation. "I refuse to beg. Besdies, I know you won't help me anyway."

“At least you're self-aware," he drawled, his voice dripping with smugness.

His arrogance grated on her nerves, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Instead, she pressed the iodine-soaked cotton ball against his wound with just a little more force than necessary, her own brand of petty revenge.

But Caden didn't even flinch. His expression remained maddeningly calm. "Go on, press harder if you want. Just make sure the virus is completely eradicated."

What?

Couldn't he feel any pain?

With a sigh, Alicia peeled off a band-aid, her patience running thin.

"So," she asked again, more insistent this time, “are you keeping Lilliana or not?"

Caden's lips curved into a sly smile, his eyes glinting with amusement. "If you don't want me to, just beg me and I shall oblige."

Alicia couldn't help but laugh, the absurdity of it all bringing a smirk to her own lips.

She met his gaze with a raised brow, her tone edged with sarcasm.