Chapter: 871

Alicia leaned against the dog, grateful for the quiet companionship.

After a moment, she glanced at her phone and noticed several missed calls.

She'd missed them while the phone was on silent.

Taking a steadying breath, Alicia called Blake back.

“What's up?" Her voice came out hoarse.

Blake's tone wasn't urgent, but he sounded tired. "So, you already know?"

Alicia felt her heart sink. "Know what?"

Blake assumed Alicia had seen the news, thinking her tears were merely a reaction.

He hesitated, unsure how to start, but Alicia sensed something was wrong despite her exhaustion. "Just tell me," she said quietly.

Blake struggled with his words. “We miscalculated. Dorian didn't blame Corey; instead, he helped him through the review process. He's labeled the mannequin as a standard product, and now it's set for mass distribution."

Alicia's chest tightened as Blake continued, voice hardening.

"Dorian's connections are terrifying — far beyond Caden's. With his backing, outrageous projects pass without scrutiny. He hasn't acted this recklessly in years; this is clearly targeted at us. Alicia, we need to get Caden back."

Alicia's shoulders slumped.

“What good would that do? Dorian's only going this far because he's set on Caden."

Her voice broke with a bitter Laugh.

Her confronting Corey was out of impulse, but Dorian's ruthlessness was far beyond anything she had imagined.

Caden had once expressed his respect for Dorian, citing his strong ties to the Ward family.

Having been a close friend of Caden's mother, Dorian now disgusted her with his low behavior, all to indulge his daughter.

The thought of what Caden had always fought to protect being so trivialized left a deep ache in her heart.

“What can we do?" Alicia asked, whispering.

"We're working on it," Blake replied, though doubt weighed down his words.

Alicia's regret was immediate.

“It's my fault. I shouldn't have confronted Corey."

Blake took a pained breath. “It wouldn't have mattered. Yolanda went to him long before you. Ignoring them won't stop them from trying to stain Caden's mother."

Silent tears streamed down Alicia's face as Blake continued. "Are you going to beg them to stop? Alicia, you know they'd never pity you."

The storm Dorian had unleashed was inevitable.

Alicia ended the call, staring at the empty bedroom. She missed Caden intensely, aching for his presence.

He would never let her cry Like this.

Just then, her phone vibrated, startling her.

She quickly wiped her tears.