Chapter: 831

Much later, as Caden emerged from the restroom, Yolanda appeared and blocked his path.

She had been waiting for this chance all evening, and her patience had finally snapped. She gave in to her impulses and tried to hug him. She even stood on tiptoe and held her face up for a kiss.

Caden acted quickly, grabbing her arm and shoving her away before she could get any closer.

Yolanda rubbed the spot where he had grabbed her, her eye turning misty. "You can't treat me like this, Caden!"

But the look he gave her was chilly. "You still refused to give up?" he said in a menacing tone. “It looks like I wasn't harsh enough when I went to hand over the chip."

He cocked his head to the side, his lips curling into a derisive smile. “When I asked your mother to teach me how to make that dessert... Did you think I was just bored or something? I did it to show you just how important Alicia is to me."

Yolanda froze in place, her breath catching.

She knew all too well why Caden did that.

That was exactly why she'd come to Corey.

After a pause, she steadied herself and brushed away her tears, finding her voice. “Corey's grown stronger since you left. Now that you're back, he won't step aside without a fight. And with his new release, Q, how much of the market can you afford to lose?" Her voice softened slightly, a challenge in her eyes. “Are you just going to let that happen?"

Caden's lip curled into a smirk, his gaze unflinching. "I know exactly what game you're playing, Yolanda. You team up with Corey to trap me, then turn around and betray him for my help? Do you really think I'd fall for that?"

Yolanda bit her lip, her voice soft but resolute. "Caden, if we team up, we could create something even bigger than what Corey's offering.”

Caden scoffed, not a hint of interest in his expression. "Save your tricks for Corey. I'd love to see what the two of you think you can do to take me down."

Without sparing her another glance, he walked away.

Yolanda watched him, her legs trembling as she fought the urge to follow. But her strength was gone, and she sank back into the shadows, silent tears streaming down her face.

After the press conference, Corey strode in, the light from the hallway casting a faint glow over Yolanda's frail figure. She Looked thinner, her face pale, her eyes weary.

Corey's expression was hard, unmoved by her appearance. “Get her out of here," he commanded, his voice emotionless.

Two staff members stepped forward, but as they reached for her, Yolanda pulled back sharply. “Don't touch me!" she snapped, defiance flickering in her eyes.

The staff hesitated, aware that she was a member of the Moss family and unwilling to force her too harshly.

Corey only looked at her with cold disdain.

If she hadn't still been useful, he wouldn't have bothered with her at all.

“No one respects a desperate woman, Yolanda. If you want Caden to look at you twice, you'd do better to take a lesson from Alicia.”

His words hit a raw nerve. With sudden resolve, Yolanda sprang to her feet, her hand flying out to strike him.

Corey dodged, though her fingers grazed his chin.

His face darkened as he narrowed his eyes at her.

But Yolanda didn't back down, her eyes blazing with defiance. "I'm not Alicia, and I never will be," she said fiercely, her voice unwavering. "I am Yolanda, and no matter how cold you think I am, I will always be myself."

Corey scoffed. “Caden has wealth and power. What could you possibly offer him? Men only desire what they can't easily have, and it's Alicia's beauty he covets."

He grasped Yolanda's chin, studying her face.

Despite her thinness, her beauty was undeniable, her features strikingly different from Alicia's.

"Clean yourself up and follow my lead. I'll help you win over Caden."