Chapter: 823

Alicia raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on her Lips. "So you are willing to part with me? I see how it is. After all this time, I thought you loved me. Turns out I'm just a pawn in your game."

Caden couldn't suppress a smile at Alicia's playful sarcasm. “I have never met a woman as bold as you, asking so straightforwardly. Who would actually admit the truth?"

Alicia tilted her head and asked, "So, are you saying the opposite? That you couldn't stand to lose me? If Corey tried to take me away, you would go to the ends of the earth to stop him."

Caden shook his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. “You have really been watching too much television."

Caden had planned to bring Alicia back to the apartment for some intimate time together, but a sudden call from Hank poured cold water on his desire.

An urgent matter at the company demanded his attention.

Frustrated, Caden began to dress, his annoyance clear.

Not looking much happier, Alicia pulled her clothes back on, covering the marks of their earlier passion.

“WiLL you be back tonight?" she asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Not sure," Caden replied, fastening his cufflinks. "If it gets too late, don't wait up - just go to bed.”

She thought back to how he had teased her in the car earlier and smirked. "I won't wait for you. If you don't make it back, I'll go out with Monica to have fun. That nightclub sends me special offers every week."

Caden finished buttoning his shirt and tossed her a card with a flick of his wrist. "My woman doesn't settle for cheap deals. Order the most expensive male escorts at full price and let them treat you like the queen you are."

Alicia was in a playful mood. She picked up the card and grinned at him. "Thank you, Mr. Ward. I'll be sure to follow you well into the next life."

Caden gave her a sidelong glance. Even though he knew she didn't have the guts to mess with other men, the mere idea still annoyed him to no end.

Alicia left and did meet with Monica.

Instead of hiring male escorts, however, they ate, drank, and danced to their hearts' content - all by themselves.

Once Monica had enough fun for the night, Alicia drove her home.

Then, she stopped by an ATM to withdraw some cash.

Parked by the roadside, with the night breeze blowing into her open window, Alicia took out her phone and sent Caden a message. "Are you off work yet?"

It took him ten minutes to reply. “Miss me already?"

By then, Alicia was already out of the car.

She entered the Holt Group carrying a bag of snacks and went straight to the CEO's office on the top floor.

Alicia knocked on the door. It had been left slightly ajar, and through the gap, she saw that Caden was alone inside.

"Come in," he called out in his usual cool demeanor.

Alicia pushed through the door. "Good evening, Mr. Ward."

Caden looked up from his desk. His eyes darkened at the sight of Alicia, and his lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. “Are you done playing outside?”

Alicia sighed and acted like she was exhausted after having fun, although her neat clothes had shown that she hadn't been intimate with other men. "Yes, yes. It was nothing special, though. None of those boy toys could match your skills, Mr. Ward."

She set the snacks on his desk and walked around top plop herself on Caden's lap.

It was rare for her to be so forward, but it was certainly effective.

Caden's fatigue from a hard day's work vanished in an instant, replaced by a sudden spike of excitement.