Chapter: 518

Taken aback, Hank decided to let it go. After all, Caden was the boss.

Halfway through the drive, Caden instructed Hank to stop.

Stepping out, he entered a high-end men's boutique.

Hank stayed in the car as ordered but couldn't help noticing the signature scarf displayed in the window. He blinked in surprise. Was he seeing things? What was Caden up to?

A few minutes later, Caden emerged from the store wearing an identical scarf.

As he settled back into the car, Hank stared at him in disbelief.

"What's with the look?" Caden shot back, his gaze icy. "Do you want one too?"

Hank shook his head in confusion. "Ms. Bennett bought you one that you threw away. Miss Moss got you another, which you gave to me. Now you've bought the same one. Mr. Ward, what's going on?"

Caden replied flatly, “I'm unwell."

Hank was momentarily speechless.

Caden had a knack for brutal honesty.

Meanwhile, Alicia was deeply engrossed in her work in the gallery. In the early stages of preparation, she had been incredibly busy and highly motivated.

Her previous successes in the industry attracted numerous clients, and everything was progressing more smoothly than she had anticipated.

She attributed this to good fortune-until that particular evening.

Alicia had already downed five glasses of wine in a row when a client refilled her glass without hesitation.

As he filled it to the brim, his hand casually drifted to her thigh.

Alicia instinctively pulled away.

Noticing her reaction, the man frowned and said, "Ms. Bennett, drinking too much isn't good for your health. I've heard you're somewhat allergic to alcohol, and even with medication, it's risky. Why push yourself so hard?"

Although Alicia hadn't encountered such a situation before, she knew how to handle lecherous men like him.

Keeping her composure, she responded with a calm smile. “Mr. Tingey, I'd hate to spoil the mood, and I'm well aware of the unspoken rules."

She lifted her glass with both hands, locking eyes with him. "Cheers to you, Mr. Tingey."

Closing her eyes, she downed the entire drink in one go.

She would rather endure the wine than engage in his lewd games. Mr. Tingey watched her, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face.

He opened the contract and picked up his pen, a smug smile playing on his lips. "I've been one of your biggest investors since the gallery opened, Ms. Bennett. Is drinking the only way you can show your gratitude?"

He poised the pen over the paper, writing down his first name.

Alicia knew that if she played along, his full signature would follow, unlocking tens-possibly hundreds-of millions of dollars in investment.

It could free her from the endless cycle of socializing and chasing deals.

But as she looked at his chubby face, nausea churned in her stomach.

She knew this deal was off the table.

Setting her glass down, she turned to her assistant. “Please escort Mr. Tingey to his car. I'll be out in a moment."