Chapter: 267

Rachel looked confused and asked, "Why don't you want him to come?"

"Why should he?"

"You called his name several times while unconscious," Rachel said.

"Isn't this when you need him most?"

Alicia didn't know how to respond.

Did she really call for Joshua?

She vaguely remembered feeling emotional in the dream, but it wasn't because she missed him. She had been cursing him.

She pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “My situation has nothing to do with Joshua. If you want Lilliana to create chaos, then go ahead and call him. Just be ready for the fallout."

As soon as those words left her mouth, the image of Caden's stern expression filled her mind.

ALL of a sudden, a thought crossed her mind.

Had he misunderstood everything?

Without wasting another second, she pushed herself out of bed to track him down.

Alicia had taken several hits and bumped her head, but her injuries weren't serious. She steadied herself against the wall and slowly made her way downstairs.

She searched everywhere for Caden.

Eventually, she spotted him at the Lawn party.

As she approached, something felt off.

Caden was standing amidst the crowd, emanating an intimidating aura.

Nobody could even muster the courage to stand an inch closer to him.

The entire crowd was silently watching everything unfold.

Mrs. Reyes stood at the front, watching Caden with worry in her eyes.

Alicia spotted an empty chair and took a seat, aligning her focus with the crowd's gaze.

Before Caden, the group of children involved in the earlier incident stood in a straight line.

They awaited his commands, hanging by his every word.

“Channel every ounce of strength to overcome the others. The one who loses will face punishment, while the last one standing will earn a reward from me," he announced.

His voice carried a mix of levity and authority.

He resembled a general leading his troops into battle.

Alicia observed the children who once strutted around like a gang of bullies. Now, they stood as timid as lambs, subjugated by Caden's commanding words.

They weren't doing it because of obedience.

They were following his commands out of fear.

Everyone, even the children, knew what it felt like to fear authority.