Chapter: 526

She knew all too well what the answer would be, and she refused to degrade herself further.

If she were to die here, she'd do so with her dignity intact.

The last thing she wanted was to make a fool of herself in front of Caden.

Joshua, however, was intent on breaking her spirit. His voice turned venomous. "If you don't call him, I'll have someone rape Monica."

Alicia clenched her teeth so hard that she tasted blood.

Thinking she didn't believe him, Joshua barked an order to bring Monica down.

Alicia's heart raced, and she relented quickly. "I'll call him!"

Her hands shook as she reached for the phone. She could have simply pressed the emergency dial to reach Caden, yet she numbly entered his number instead.

Joshua watched her actions with amusement. "You must be obsessed with him if you know his number by heart."

Alicia's fingers paused-it was only now that she realized this.

Despite everything, Caden's number was still etched in her mind.

As the line began to ring, her initial resignation crumbled, and a fragile hope took its place.

Would he come?

No-he was far away, in Averibon.

Yet, in that moment, she couldn't help but be hopeful. What if Caden did care about her, even just a little?

She should have been killed by Joshua long ago; it was Caden who had given her those fleeting moments of happiness.

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity. Then, finally, it was answered. But the voice on the other end wasn't his.

It was Yolanda, her tone lazy and dismissive. "Hello? Who is this?"

Upon hearing Yolanda's voice, Alicia froze, automatically turning off the screen.

She was completely immobilized.

Ever since she found out about Monica's accident, she had felt on edge.

Now, despair hung heavy on her heart, each heartbeat a painful echo.

Caden wouldn't come; she had bothered him...

Joshua laughed without mercy.

He touched her pale cheek and asked Yolanda, “Did you just wake up from sleeping with Caden?"

Yolanda did not reply. Instead, she asked, "Who is this?"

Joshua continued, "Has Caden ever compared you two in bed? Did he tell you who's better, you or Alicia?"

Yolanda was shocked.

She was about to inquire what he meant when she heard the door open behind her. She quickly ended the call.

Then she hid the phone under the pillow.