Chapter: 853

Caden glanced at her, feeling a pull he couldn't quite voice.

Proposing felt like a gesture too naive, too raw, something he couldn't yet bring himself to do.

In a private dining room, the Moss family sat together harmoniously.

Yolanda had recovered well in the last few days. Her complexion looked better, and she had taken extra care with her makeup and attire, too.

"Do you like my hair?" she crooned at her father. "It took me three hours to style it."

Dorian looked at her with indulgence. "It looks great, Yolanda. You always look beautiful."

Yolanda blushed. "Then Caden will probably like it as well."

Dorian's smile faded.

Caden had agreed to join them for dinner tonight, but everyone knew it was only to put a stop to Yolanda's constant badgering.

Dorian knew that his silly daughter was in for yet another disappointment.

He said nothing because he didn't want to upset her, but Regina thought differently.

“Has Caden agreed to date you?" she asked bluntly.

The misgivings between mother and daughter had been amplified recently, so it went without saying that Yolanda's mood soured. “Not verbally, but he did help me pick out this dress. That must mean something, right?"

"If he hasn't said anything along that lines, then you shouldn't get your hopes up," Regina said matter-of-factly.

Yolanda frowned and snapped, "Can you please stop bursting my bubble?"

"I'll do it again and again if this is what it takes to bring you back to reality. Otherwise, your delusions will only get worse, and they will ultimately lead you to more bad choices.”

Clearly, Regina was still displeased about her daughter's association with Corey. “Corey had better stop with his schemes. It isn't wise. If he tries to manipulate Caden again, your father and I will have no choice but to intervene."

Yolanda exploded. She turned to her father and demanded, "Whose side are you on, mine or Mom's?"

"Yolanda," Dorian said in a stern tone. "You are in the wrong this time."

“If you won't help me, then I'll just do everything myself. What's wrong with pursuing my one true Love?"

“This will only make Caden dislike you and push him farther away,"

Regina warned.

Ever the brat, Yolanda slammed her fist on the table. "Look, if you don't want to be my mother anymore, just say so! I'll gladly sever our relationship for good!"

Regina didn't react.

Just then, a waiter opened the door, and Caden entered the room with Alicia.

Yolanda was still seething, and when she turned and saw them together, she froze in a mix of shock and horror.

Caden never told them he was bringing Alicia.

Alicia was carrying a gift bag, and her elegant dress matched perfectly with Caden's debonair look. Even more so when she was nestled in his arms like she currently was.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Moss." She greeted them with a soft smile and a delicate touch of pink on her cheeks.

Regina's eyes flickered as she stared at Alicia.