Chapter: 695

With that in mind, Alicia finally felt comfortable enough to ask.

"Mrs. Ward, do you believe in God?"

Ciara gave a slight chuckle, shaking her head. "I tend to spend more time at fundraisers than in church."

Alicia offered a polite nod, taking in the response.

Ciara raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Do you visit churches often? If you would like some company, I would be happy to join.”

Alicia shook her head slowly. "No, I do not. I just needed to ask. If you were deeply religious, I would not want to offend you with what I am about to say."

“You can speak freely, dear."

Leaning in closer to ensure Ciara could hear her clearly, Alicia whispered, "Shelia's devout. When I had dinner at the Yates Mansion, she was worshipping some obscure deity. It was tucked in a niche in the side hall, and she mentioned it had been sent from Terriland. She seemed to truly believe in it."

Ciara scoffed softly. “Shelia? She is far from righteous. That is just her way of trying to wash away the sins she has committed over the years."

Ciara knew all too well the real story behind how Caden's mother had died.

The unresolved death of her daughter weighed heavily on Ciara's heart, an ache she could not put into words. The fact that the person responsible still walked free only deepened her pain.

Alicia, sensing her sorrow, felt a pang of sympathy.

"Caden's return to the country wasn't for nothing, Mrs. Ward. He has found proof of what Jerald and Shelia have done. Their time is running out."

Ciara smiled softly, a mix of sadness and hope in her eyes. “I have faith in Caden. He will bring justice for his mother, in his own way. If he is waiting, it's because he knows the right time to act."

Alicia nodded. She understood Caden's approach now.

He wanted to see Jerald and Shelia held accountable by the law, ensuring they faced consequences without him becoming like them tainted by crime.

He was just like her. She had turned her back on a singing career in showbiz because she refused to end up like Lilliana.

The very thought of becoming anything like Lilliana disgusted her.

Ciara remarked, “Caden always moves with such precision and caution. It is rare to ever see him slip up."

Except for that one time when he lost control and attacked Joshua.

When Caden first came back, Joshua's arrogance had been unbearable, but Caden chose to endure it.

That was until Joshua crossed the line by kidnapping and tormenting Alicia.

Caden could not let that go.

For her sake, he broke his own rules.

Alicia lowered her gaze, memories of their blissful time at the mountain lodge surfacing, filling her with a familiar, dull ache.

Their connection had always been strong-undeniable, even.

But at its core, their bond was delicate, easily fractured by life's complications.

Without the physical aspect of their relationship, she knew Caden had little reason to keep showing her kindness.

Why, then, was he so concerned about Shelia's threats against her?

Pushing the confusion away, Alicia refocused on the matter at hand.