Chapter: 598

Dorian's eyes flickered.

"Yolanda has brought it up a few times." He considered, then asked, “Is Caden planning to bring her home for Christmas?"

In a family like the Wards, inviting someone home was a significant indicator of intentions toward marriage.

Ciara exhaled softly. “Dorian, how can you be more confused than I am? I just told you I'm not certain."

In other words, there was a fifty-fifty chance Caden might introduce Alicia to the family.

The potential meeting between Alicia and Yolanda could prove extremely uncomfortable.

Dorian was aware.

Yet, he found Ciara's tone overly aggressive and replied coldly, "I recall Caden hasn't made her his official plus-one yet. Are you using this information to intimidate me?"

Ciara responded calmly, "How is that intimidation? I mention it only because I'm concerned about Yolanda. It wouldn't reflect well on her if she were to create a scene."

"Yolanda won't make a scene, nor will she cause any trouble. Mrs. Ward, please remember the reasons for Yolanda's current situation.”

Ciara was not prepared to accept such an accusation.

“Dorian, are you suggesting we are to blame? Let's be clear. It was your family that pushed for their marriage."

"Caden could have turned me down. Did he?" Dorian's tone was icy.

“He had his ambitions and knew only my family could facilitate them. I made that clear from the start, and he was agreeable. And now this is all our fault?"

Ciara was at a loss for words.

After all, Dorian wasn't wrong.

In business, power was everything, and whoever was at an advantage always dictated the terms.

Both families had raked in enough wealth to feed their ambitions.

Caden had his sights set on a goal, and nothing would stand in his way. It just so happened that Yolanda wasn't in that picture, and as much as Dorian loved his daughter, he wanted her to be with the man she loved.

Neither of them were in the wrong.

The room was thick with tension until Dorian, ever the reasonable one, broke the silence. "Mrs. Ward, we've known each other for years, and I hold you in the highest regard. But this is different. Caden made the offer, and he has no reason to back out now."

Ciara felt a dull ache behind her temples. She was torn.

Of course, she was biased towards Caden, but deep down, she knew he wasn't blameless.

"You should talk to Caden directly," she suggested, her voice calm but firm.

Dorian took the hint and rose to his feet, preparing to leave.

As he stepped out, he reminded Jasmine to take good care of Ciara.

Still worried about his daughter, he then went to check on her.

Just as he was about to reach for the door to Yolanda's room, it swung open, and Regina emerged.

She shook her head gently and whispered, "“Yolanda's resting. Don't disturb her. She's not feeling well."

Dorian's brows furrowed in frustration. “I'll stop by Caden's company later. There's a personal matter we need to settle."