Chapter: 253

She nudged Caden's arm with a challenging gaze. "Call the police, Mr. Ward."

Caden's expression hardened, his voice dripping with disdain “why are you ordering me around? Do you really think I'm your son?"

Alicia's lips pressed into a thin line, speechless for a moment.

She shot him a glare, mentally cursing the man.

So exasperating!

Rolling her eyes in frustration, Alicia pulled out her phone and dialed the police.

Seeing how serious Alicia was, Rachel jumped in, trying to defuse the situation. "Ms. Bennett, that's enough!"

Caden, his expression dark, kicked a nearby chair.

The chair skidded across the grass, blocking Rachel's path.

Alicia, unbothered, let the call go through. "Hello? Is this the police?"

Rachel's eyes widened, her thoughts racing. If this escalated, Randolph would have her head. With a heavy sigh of resignation, she muttered, “Alright, fine. I'll pay!"

Alicia glanced up with a small, victorious smile, casually showing her phone screen.

"Relax," she said, her tone sweet and unhurried. “I didn't actually call the police."

Rachel was left dumbfounded, staring at her in disbelief.

With a falsely innocent expression, Alicia added with a shrug, “I wouldn't take it that far. It's just a small amount of money after all."

Rachel's face hardened as she gritted her teeth.

Now that she'd spoken up, she couldn't exactly go back on her word.

Begrudgingly, she transferred half the amount, unable to cough up the entire amount.

Rachel then turned to look at Mrs. Reyes meaningfully, indicating the latter had to shoulder the other half.

Of course, Mrs. Reyes didn't want to, but she couldn't make a scene, so she grudgingly transferred the money to Alicia.

Alicia checked her account balance, her fingers tapping the screen unhurriedly. Every cent was there.

Caden, on the other hand, glowered silently when he saw her eyes light up with satisfaction.

She'd been through so much, fought tooth and nail, and yet this small victory seemed to be enough to make her glow.

"You sure you counted it properly?" Caden's voice cut through the moment, laced with icy disdain. "Perhaps there's an extra two dollars in there somewhere?"

Alicia blinked, surprised by his sudden comment. She slipped her phone back into her bag, her brow furrowing slightly.

Why was he asking her this out of nowhere?

“I've already checked it," she replied, puzzled. “Everything's accounted for. Why?"

Caden's lips twisted into a cold smile. “For all the fuss you've made, how much did you spend, and how much did you really earn? Ms. Bennett, it seems your time comes quite cheap."

Alicia's eyes widened as his meaning sunk in.

Her moment of triumph suddenly felt hollow, leaving a slight bitterness in her chest.