Chapter: 407

On the other end of the line, Blake Langstaff's voice was steady, serious, cutting straight to the point. “The Moss family is willing to negotiate with us."

Caden wasn't surprised. He leaned against the railing, eyes scanning the quiet night.

“What were their terms?" he asked, his tone calm, composed.

"No terms. They only asked when you'd be available to come to Devarlton and meet them," Blake answered. Then, after a beat, he added, "Remember Yolanda?"

Caden's brow furrowed. The name stirred a distant memory.

He replayed it in his mind until a flash of recognition hit.

"Yolanda Moss? The youngest daughter?" he murmured.

“Exactly. You met her once when you were five. There was some joke about marrying you off to her back then."

Caden's throat tightened for a split second.

Absentminded, he lit one of the scented candles nearby-the one Alicia had made.

Its familiar, soothing fragrance filled the air, subtle and calming, like her presence. He had grown used to falling asleep to that scent.

"We were kids," he said, his voice laced with indifference. "That joke means nothing now."

Blake's tone was more measured. “Maybe to you. But her father, Dorian Moss, has always liked you. He's been cozying up to Ciara."

Caden twirled the lighter in his hand, eyes distant. "I respect the man's preferences, but I'm not into men."

Blake sighed in exasperation. "Come on, be serious. He wants you as his son-in-law."

A ghost of a smile touched Caden's lips. “I'm not into women either."

His patience running thin, Blake cut to the chase. “What if the deal's on the condition you marry Yolanda?"

The living room descended into a brief silence.

Caden compressed his lips before responding, "Did he really say that?"

"When I was with Ciara, I caught him asking subtly about your love life. He even mentioned waiting for Yolanda to finish her studies before bringing it up with you."

As relatives of the bride, they would not be overly deferential.

That would only spoil their image.

Caden seemed to ponder this and then fell silent.

Blake was not against the idea. "Ciara feels the same. You and Yoland can talk about whether you want children or not. If things don't align, you can go your separate ways. Just keep in mind what matters most."

It was Caden who initially sought an agreement with the Moss family.

Being in a weaker bargaining position, he was forced to make some concessions.

“Are you seeing anyone?" Blake inquired, sensing his hesitance.

Caden answered slowly, "No."

"Then it's fine. It's no sacrifice for you," Blake replied.

Caden hesitated, then said, "That's true." His tone was nonchalant.