Chapter: 440

Joshua could hardly believe he had reached such a low with Alicia.

Attempting a laugh, he asked, “Does it please you to see me this way?"

Alicia gave a small smile. "Not really.”

Despite feeling defeated, Joshua's pride lingered. “You despise me for my betrayal, yet you can't hide your care. You once loved me, remember?"

Alicia responded indifferently, "My displeasure comes from the loss I'd incur by lending you this money easily. Mr. Yates, have you ever been slapped?"

Joshua was stunned.

"Do it yourself," commanded Alicia harshly. "Slap yourself until I'm satisfied, then I'll consider lending you the money.”

Joshua's eyes filled with rage.

“Is this why you sided with Caden, to humiliate me?" He bellowed, “Alicia, remember who supported you when you were down!"

“sure, I remember your sweet-talking," Alicia retorted. “And I haven't forgotten your schemes on our anniversary, your involvement in my cyberbullying, and worse. Shall we review the details?"

Joshua scoffed dismissively.

He ignored his faults and taunted, "The deeper the love, the deeper the hate, Alicia. Is this your way of showing your frustration of being unable to make me love you?"

Alicia felt a wave of revulsion.

She was about to rise, fist clenched, but Caden held her back and summoned someone.

"Just a few slaps. If you can't manage it, I'll have someone else do the job," he told Joshua.

Caden's bodyguards entered, approached Joshua directly, and delivered a sharp slap.

Joshua, overwhelmed by humiliation and rage, attempted to resist.

Yet, he was quickly subdued, outnumbered and restrained.

Caden observed with a detached demeanor.

He then coolly directed Alicia, "You choose the number of slaps."

The slaps resonated through the room, systematically dismantling Joshua's pride.

Subdued, Alicia bowed her head and clutched Caden's arm instinctively.

Caden looked at her questioningly.

"Do you pity him?"

Before Alicia could respond, the door burst open.

Lilliana, visibly pregnant, commanded with authority, "Stop this immediately!"

Though alone, her condition and stature commanded immediate respect, and the bodyguards ceased their actions.

Blood trickled from Joshua's mouth as he stood defiantly, clinging to his remaining dignity.

Lilliana rushed to his side, her eyes filled with worried tears.

“Joshua, are you alright?"