The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback
Chapter 40

Chapter 40:

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Alice had also begun to notice that someone had been discreetly helping her behind the scenes.

His first instinct was to call Monica.

When Monica answered, she sounded frustrated. “I hired trolls to trash Lilliana online,” she admitted. “But I don't have the money to censor searches. Those things cost a fortune, and my dad blocked my credit card. “I’m sick of him.”

Alicia thought about Monica's words, and only one other person came to mind: Gerry.

Without delay, he called him, and his suspicions were confirmed.

Feeling a little uncomfortable, Alice said quietly, “It's just gossip, people talking behind my back. It's not like they're physically harming me. You really didn’t need to waste your money on this…”

Gerry, comfortably lying down, put her on speakerphone but didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked at Caden, who was sitting across from him.

Caden, his long legs crossed casually, had his eyes glued to his phone, scrolling mindlessly. He gave no sign of joining the conversation.

Undeterred, Gerry turned his attention back to Alicia. “I didn't spend that much,” he finally replied. “The real help came from another big shot.”

Alice frowned, confused. “Who is this mysterious benefactor?”

Once again, Gerry's gaze shifted to Caden, but he didn't reveal the answer right away, instead choosing to mock her.

“Are you free?” he asked, smoothly moving on to another topic. “Come on. “We can chat, have some fun, and I’ll introduce you to this ‘big fish.’”

Alice took the hint immediately.

She had always had a good working relationship with Gerry, and now that she was in a bind, he was helping her out by offering her the chance to meet someone powerful. That was how things worked: mutual benefits, carefully cultivated relationships.

"What's that big fish like?" she asked. "I'd like to give him something."

Hearing this, Gerry's eyes sparkled with mischief. "He's… well, let's just say he's not as strong as he used to be. Maybe you could get him some Viagra."

Alice was momentarily speechless, and then replied with dry humor: 'Mr Hopkins, do you happen to have any shady side business?'

Gerry couldn't help but laugh. "If they ever come to an agreement, it will be a miracle."

A flash of understanding flashed in Alice's eyes.

That big shot Gerry was hinting at, could it be…?

After ending the call, Gerry couldn't help but lick his lips and smile. "I'm really curious, Caden. Why did you suddenly decide to help Alicia this time?"

Caden paused, his eyes never leaving the screen. After a few seconds of silence, he replied haughtily, “It's not help. Consider it a down payment.”

Gerry raised his eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you mean by that?”

Caden didn't answer, his expression unreadable. Just then, a light knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

The manager entered with a warm smile and announced, “Mr. “Ward, Mr. Hopkins, your drinks have arrived.” Behind him followed a number of strikingly attractive women, all of them scantily clad.

They came in and served drinks, but didn't leave right away. Instead, they slid gracefully into the seats next to Caden and Gerry.

Gerry, without wasting any time, wrapped his arm around the waist of the girl next to him, pulling her close as she giggled, taking a sip of her drink from him. He leaned back in his chair, obviously enjoying the attention.

Caden, however, didn't even acknowledge the girl sitting next to him.

His gaze lingered on her for a moment, cold and distant, as if he were studying her rather than savoring the moment. The girl, unaccustomed to such a distant welcome, blushed under her icy gaze.

“Mr. Ward,” she said in a soft, hopeful tone, “would you like something to eat? “I can feed you.”

Caden's expression hardened, his eyes darkening with irritation. “No need,” he said flatly, turning his head away as if his presence repulsed him. “And keep your distance.”

The girl's smile faltered, clearly surprised by his sudden change of mood.

But she wasn't about to give up that easily. Clients as wealthy as Caden didn't come along every day, and she wasn't about to let him get away.

“Mr. Ward, don't be so cruel,” she said, moving closer despite her reluctance. “Tell me what you like, I can do anything to please you.”

Caden looked back at her, an uneasy tone in his voice. “Anything?”

The girl's eyes lit up with eager anticipation, nodding quickly, confident that her persistence was paying off.

Moments later the door creaked open again and Alice stepped in. The air in the private room was filled with emotion as she took in the scene.

The women were leaving, one of them especially distressed, wiping her eyes with trembling hands as she let out silent sobs.

Alicia's curiosity piqued, her eyes scanning the girl before settling on Gerry and Caden.

“Have you harassed her?” he asked, his lips curling into a subtle smile.

Gerry laughed, clearly amused. “Not me. It was Caden. “He was the one who bullied her and made her cry!”

Alicia's eyes naturally shifted to Caden.

He was dressed in his signature black shirt that clung to his sculpted torso, making even the most mundane color look dangerously attractive.

His devilishly handsome face showed no emotion, but his presence alone radiated a charm that was hard to resist. Despite his coldness, he had an inexplicable magnetism that attracted people.

Memories of the surveillance footage flashed through Alicia's mind, those intimate moments when Caden's touch seemed so matter-of-fact, so devastatingly skilled. A strange emotion stirred within her as a thought crossed her mind.

Did he… did he use those same skillful hands with other women too?

She blinked, a glint of mischief in her eyes as she took her seat.

“I see,” he said softly, a mocking tone in his voice. “Impotent men tend to compensate by getting a little… creative, don't they?”

Caden raised his head, his gaze locked with his eyes, his eyes glinting dangerously.

Before the tension could escalate, Gerry's boisterous laughter broke the silence. “That's exactly what happened! That girl tried her best to seduce him, and what did Caden do? “I have forced her to stay and make a PowerPoint presentation.”

Alice's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

The corner of his mouth twitched, and he grumbled, “That’s… really wicked.”

Caden's voice interrupted the moment, his tone quiet and eerie. “There are far more wicked things, Miss Bennett. “Perhaps next time I’ll show you.”

Alice felt a lump in her throat.

His words, spoken so softly, seemed harmless at first, but the implications made her skin crawl.

Before she could respond, Gerry, oblivious to the underlying tension, burst out laughing. “Why just show it to Alice? I want to see it too.”

Caden's gaze shifted to Gerry, and a slow, almost mocking smile played across his lips. “If you insist.”

Alice blinked, momentarily speechless.

She couldn't shake the traumatizing image his words had planted in her mind.

The joke, however, flew right over Gerry's head. Smiling, he noticed the two bags Alice had brought with her, piquing his curiosity. "What did you buy?"

Alicia took a breath and handed him one of the bags.

“This is for you, Mr. Hopkins. A small token of my appreciation for your help. I hope you like it.”

Gerry eagerly opened the bag and his eyes lit up as he saw a bespoke designer gift set for men. Next to it were several elegantly packaged scented candles.

He pulled one out and sniffed it appreciatively, a satisfied smile on his face. “It smells really good. What brand is it?”

Alice smiled softly, pride evident in her voice. “Actually, I made these myself. I know you're under a lot of stress, so these candles are designed to help you relax and sleep. If you like them, I'd be happy to make more.”

Gerry, a man accustomed to having everything within easy reach, was touched by the sincerity of the gesture. It was rare for him to receive something made with such consideration.

He acknowledged his thanks and carefully placed the candle back into the bag.

“What's in the other bag?” Gerry asked curiously.

Alicia's smile turned playful, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she picked up the second bag and slid it across the table towards Caden.

"As you recommended, Mr. Hopkins: Viagra for Mr. Ward."

Caden's expression instantly darkened, his playful demeanor disappearing.

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