Chapter: 400

Caden raised an eyebrow. “The inn is just a ten-minute walk. Why do we need a car?"

Once more, Alicia fell silent.

She rubbed her freezing hands together and shoved them into her pockets, scowling at the biting cold.

Caden noticed her discomfort.

He turned to Hank, who lingered nearby, eager to catch every word.

“Get the car," Caden instructed.

Hank hesitated, not wanting to miss anything. "I thought we were walking," he said.

Caden's eyes narrowed. "If you'd rather, I'll drive, and you can walk back alone."

Realizing he was pushing his luck, Hank fell silent and headed off to fetch the car.

Caden reached to offer his coat to Alicia, but before he could, she had already hurried away.

When she came back, she carried a bouquet of fresh, light green flowers.

The flowers looked vibrant and beautiful.

She approached Caden in a quiet corner and handed them to him with a smile. "Welcome back," she said.

He was taken aback by the sudden gesture and instinctively accepted the flowers.

He stood silently for a few moments.

“These are for me?" he asked.

Alicia glanced around and noticed that several people were already watching Caden.

With his striking appearance, he drew attention wherever he went.

Concerned about being recognized, Alicia pulled her mask back on.

"Let's continue this conversation in the car," she suggested.

Once inside the car, Caden set the flowers aside.

He turned to her, staring at her intently.

Alicia briskly rubbed her hands to ward off the cold, but the redness of her nose gave away the lingering chill. She asked, "So, are you feeling warm and comfortable now?"

Caden sensed that something was amiss.

He already had an idea of what was going on.

Despite that, he held onto a sliver of hope.

He inquired, "Is this the surprise you've prepared for me today?"

Alicia appeared completely innocent.

“Yes, I came to pick you up," she replied. She pointed at the bouquet of flowers. “Don't you Like them?"

Caden didn't know what to say.