Chapter: 27

Caden didn't bother with a response, opting instead to drain the glass of Liquor in one swift motion.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, lending him a raw and magnetic appeal that was hard to ignore.

Yet, despite his striking looks, women rarely lingered around him.

His aloof nature made him seem untouchable-cold, distant, like a devil carved from ice.

Curiosity piqued, Gerry leaned in slightly. "And whose wife was charming enough to break through that... peculiar condition of yours?"

Caden's expression remained unreadable, his voice flat. "Maybe I was never sick to begin with."

The idea of romance had never lingered in his mind. In his eyes, it was a mere indulgence he never had the time or inclination for.

Alicia just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Soon, the bar came to life as the evening crowd filled the room, mostly beautiful women.

With Caden's good looks, he instantly became the center of attention, whether he liked it or not.

A stunning woman with wavy hair approached, her gaze Lingering on him as she offered a flirtatious smile. "Mind if I get your number?"

Caden's gaze slid up to meet hers. He could appreciate her flawless face and the graceful curve of her body, but he had zero interest in her.

“Sorry, but I already have a partner."

He let the poor girl down easy, gesturing lazily toward Gerry.

The woman blinked, surprise flashing across her features before she quickly apologized and retreated.

Gerry let out a long sigh. "Who're you calling ‘partner’? You're really something else, Caden, using me as your excuse for... impotence."

Caden shot him a look but couldn't muster the energy to argue.

Instead, he offered his friend a compensation of sorts. "Your new movie's releasing next month, right? I'll get Lilliana to write a song for it-free of charge."

Gerry's indignant expression softened, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Now that's more Like it."

Still, there was something odd about it all. Lilliana, the rising star whose song had catapulted her into fame last year, hadn't produced anything good since then.

Gerry couldn't help but wonder, his tone lowering into suspicion, “Do you think Lilliana actually wrote that song?"

That song-its melody, its heartfelt lyrics, the soulful voice behind it-had captivated the world in an instant.

Thanks to that song, Lilliana became a sensation overnight.

For a moment, it seemed as though she was just beginning her rise to stardom. But who could have foreseen that it was the peak of her fame? Since then, her career had hit a plateau, causing her to fade into the background.

With an indifferent glance, Caden said, "We'll find out soon enough."

Wasting no time, Alicia tried to arrange a meeting with Joshua to finalize the divorce.

Hours passed before Joshua finally responded, “See you tonight at nine. Let's talk at home."

At precisely nine that evening, Alicia returned to their matrimonial home.

As soon as she pushed open the door, she was greeted by an unexpected sight.

A pair of women's shoes lay carelessly discarded at the entrance, as if the owner had kicked them off in a frenzy.