Chapter: 408

"Get some rest. I'm off to bed."

After ending the call, Caden slowly shut his eyes, tapping on the sofa's armrest and furrowing his brows.

Why had things taken such a sudden turn?

At nine in the morning, Alicia finally rose from bed.

Caden was on the phone in the dining room, with breakfast someone had delivered laid out on the table.

Feeling sore and weak, Alicia moved slowly, using the table for support.

Caden held his phone in one hand and draped his other arm around her.

Despite his caution, Alicia's soreness caused her to flinch and strike him in frustration.

“Instead of pretending to be nice, why don't you just castrate yourself?"

Her voice was raspy and gentle, carrying no hint of menace.

On the other line, Ciara paused her chatter and asked in bewilderment, “Brat, is there a woman there with you?"

Caden popped a doughnut into Alicia's mouth.

"Yes, my personal assistant," he replied casually.

Alicia, doughnut-filled mouth and all, shot him a glare.

Caden, mulling over something, showed her the name on his phone.

It was his grandmother.

Alicia froze in place.

Ciara asked further, “Isn't Hank your personal assistant?"

"He's my executive assistant," Caden corrected.

"I was under the impression you didn't employ women on your personal staff."

It often took many words to weave a lie.

Caden glanced at Alicia and offhandedly said, “She insisted so much, I had to give in."

Alicia was at a loss for words.

Ciara wasn't convinced. "I've seen women hassle you before. Without your interest, would she even dare to overstep? What did she mean about castrating you? Why would she say that?"

What else could she possibly mean?

Caden rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"She's a bit of a Lunatic. I'm letting her go today."

Alicia, incensed, attempted to kick him.

But her leg was too weak; she couldn't even raise it. Instead, she accidentally kicked the leg of the chair with her little toe and nearly fainted from the pain.

Ciara sensed the oddity in their interaction.