Chapter: 38

To everyone's surprise, he reached out and wrapped his arm around Alicia's waist. He pulled her into his embrace and smiled at his brother. "You should go and deal with your personal business, Joshua. I'll take care of mine." He cast a pointed glance to the car behind them, reminding Joshua of the woman waiting for him inside.

Joshua's hands balled into fists.

Just then, Hank drove up next to them.

Without another word, Caden pulled Alicia into his car, all while everyone stared and whispered among themselves.

As soon as the door to the backseat slammed shut, Alicia withdrew her hand from Caden's hold.

In response, he nonchalantly smoothed the wrinkles on his sleeves where she had grabbed him. "Tossing me aside after using me to your advantage?"

Alicia slid to the far side of the backseat and sat up straight, her legs pressed together, her hands on her lap. “Not at all. I just happen to be aware of your aversion to women. I simply didn't want to upset you."

She pulled the jacket tighter around her body. After a moment's contemplation, she took out her phone and transferred fifty thousand dollars to him.

“What is this for?" Caden asked after receiving the notification from his bank.

"The jacket," she explained. His jacket had been stained with coffee, so he must not want it back, right? Naturally, she had to pay for it.

Caden's eyes narrowed at his phone screen. “This is nowhere near enough. That suit jacket is much more expensive."

Alicia's jaw almost dropped at his audacity.

Why was he so petty?

Not much of a man, was he?

“How much, exactly?" she asked.

“Send me another fifty thousand."

Alicia's eyes widened. "What kind of second-hand jacket costs a hundred thousand?"

Caden leaned back in his seat and drawled, "If you don't have the money, then you don't need to pay."

He had barely finished speaking when Alicia quipped, “Thanks, then."

It was Caden's turn to be speechless.

But Alicia wasn't done yet. She pushed her luck further by saying, “Why don't you be a dear and send me back my fifty thousand altogether?"

Caden's upper lip twitched. He unlocked his phone and accepted the money transfer without saying a word.

Alicia let out a small gasp of indignation.

As the car cruised down the highway, Alicia leaned her head against the window. She felt sticky and uncomfortable. Now and then, she would tug at her collar to get some air and keep her body from suffocating in her wet clothes.

Luckily for her, Caden always kept a change of clothes in his car.

He pulled out one of his extra shirts and tossed it at her. "Change into that."

Alicia hesitated, unsure of how to feel about his offer. “It's all right. I'll take a shower as soon as I get home."

“The smell of coffee is about to knock me out," Caden replied flatly, not even looking at her. "It's starting to reek in this confined space."

Alicia gaped at him.

Was this bastard trying to insult her or was he suddenly swearing off coffee for the rest of his life?