Chapter: 854

While the party of three collected themselves, Caden ushered Alicia to the table and pulled out a chair for her.

“Mrs. Moss, this is Alicia," came his simple introduction, my girlfriend."

None of the Mosses said anything. They couldn't even muster a smile.

The lovers' affection for each other was evident in their gestures and the looks they exchanged. It would have been a welcome sight under any other circumstances, but not here, in the presence of Yolanda.

Caden's actions had driven the proverbial stake to her heart. And seeing her subjected to such pain was also distressing for her parents.

Regina was the first to recover.

“Ms. Bennett," she greeted and smiled, “you're even more beautiful than the rumors say. You and Caden make a lovely couple."

Hearing that shattered Yolanda's composure.

She lurched to her feet, kicking her chair back with so much force that it toppled to the floor. "What is the meaning of this, Caden?" she demanded.

Dorian frowned and made to intervene, but Regina grabbed his hand and stopped him. They might as well let Yolanda vent her frustrations.

Caden raised an eyebrow, completely unperturbed. “What do you think?"

Yolanda's eyes flashed as she pointed a finger at Alicia. “Why did you bring this woman to our dinner?"

“We've been dating for a while," he replied smoothly. "I thought it was time for her to meet my friends. Is there a problem with that?"

Yolanda's chest heaved with emotion. Her head was spinning, and she had to lean against the edge of the table.

She was both furious and heartbroken. "Did you even consider my feelings before you decided to bring her here?"

Caden's lips curled into a sneer. “As a matter of fact, I did. It's precisely why I brought her with me. To make you see the truth and convince you to give up on me, once and for all."

He cast a glance over at the Moss couple and continued, "In Alicia's absence, everything you heard can be discounted as hearsay. But she's here now, so our relationship should be clear to everyone present. If not, let me say this plainly - if Yolanda ever pesters me again or crosses any of my boundaries, I will be forced to dispense with all courtesy and treat her like an interloper. Do you have any objections, Mr. and Mrs. Moss?"

Dorian felt utterly humiliated, but he wisely kept his mouth shut.

“Wie have none," Regina said. "I'll be sure to discipline Yolanda well when we get home."

Every word spoken between Caden and Regina had only fanned the flames of Yolanda's rage.

"Iam an adult!" she roared. "I don't need you to keep me in Line!

And you, Caden!" She turned to him with a vicious expression. "If you were going to bring her along, then why did you go shopping with me in the first place? You led me on and betrayed my trust! Are you having fun seeing me suffer?"

Caden looked at her as one would at the village fool. "You paid for your clothes, and I paid for mine. What exactly is the big deal?"

Yolanda glanced at Alicia, and suddenly remembered the dress Caden had been eyeing at the mall.

He had bought the dress for Alicia.

Yolanda let out a bitter laugh as tears of hatred streamed down her cheeks.

"We've known each other since we were kids. I followed in my father's footsteps and studied hard in order to keep up with you, just to get the chance to be close to you." She choked on a sob, her body trembling. “What more do I need to do for you to like me? What should I do..."

Her tone turned pleading toward the end, and without any warning, she lunged at Caden.

Caden remained still as Dorian shot forward and grabbed Yolanda before she degraded herself any further.

His heart ached for his poor daughter, and he was furious at Caden for his cruelty.