Chapter: 699

He was wearing a long, tailored coat, the lapels undone.

His face, carved into an icy mask, was shrouded in gloom.

His eyes-dark, intense-locked onto hers, making her pulse race uncontrollably.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, stepping closer, instinctively trying to shield the chaotic scene behind her.

Caden didn't blink, his focus never straying from her face, his voice sharp as a blade.

"Alicia, do you find my mother's tragic death in childbirth amusing?"

Caden's expression was unchanging as he posed the question.

However, his demeanor was distinctly unsettling.

Alicia realized that Caden might have been observing for quite some time. He had seen the entire creepy prank unfold.

The model strikingly resembled his mother.

Even Alicia herself was disturbed by the resemblance, let alone Caden.

She attempted to explain, saying, “Caden, about this..."

Caden interjected, "When I handled Shelia, you insisted I keep out of your affairs. You claimed you wanted nothing to do with me. So why involve my mother like this?"

Alicia realized what was troubling him and said softly, "I didn't know the model would dress up as your mother beforehand."

Caden's look was piercing. "You orchestrated this event. You're telling me you had no idea? Does that even sound plausible to you, Alicia? Doesn't it seem ridiculous?"

Even Alicia found her own explanation hard to believe.

But it was the truth.

She hadn't expected Ciara to arrange for the model to impersonate Caden's mother.

Knowing that further justification would only make things worse, she opted to stay quiet.

She inhaled deeply and asked, "Why did you come here? Was there something you needed?"

Caden responded flatly, “Initially, yes, but not anymore."

He pulled out a box of pills. "Gerry mentioned you had a wine party tonight. I hurried back when I saw you getting into a car, seemingly intoxicated."

Now, seeing her so composed, it was obvious she had been faking drunkenness.

She had pretended to be drunk as a strategy to draw Shelia out.

Alicia stared at the box of medicine in his hand.

So, he had come in a rush because he was concerned she might suffer an allergic reaction to the alcohol?

In the next moment, the medicine box was thrown at her, striking her chest.

He applied a great amount of force, filled with hate.

"Great performance. Your act was so convincing that even I was deceived," he mocked. "So, when you said you felt sympathy for my past, was that just an act too?"

He had never loved a woman as deeply as he did her. She was the one he constantly thought about, day and night.