The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 8:

? ? ? ? ?

Alicia let out a dry laugh before casually pulling two fancy knives, a canister of pepper spray, and a handful of other self-defense gadgets from her bag.

The crash of metal and plastic left Hank completely speechless.

“Miss Bennett, my boss just wants to return your belongings, not… kidnap you,” he finally managed, staring in disbelief at the woman’s small arsenal.

Alice blushed embarrassedly.

“Sure… I’m sorry.”

She then lifted the hem of her skirt to remove a small stun gun strapped to her thigh.

Hank's mouth twitched, struggling to suppress his amusement.

Of all the women seeking Caden's attention, eager to secure a place at his side, none had appeared prepared for battle. He'd seen countless beautiful dresses in this line of work, but Alicia… well, she was the first to pair her dress with weapons, looking like she was ready to take Caden down herself.

Hank chuckled. No wonder Caden always seemed so intrigued around him. He was the perfect match for his boss: an unbreakable nemesis.

After receiving the signal from inside, Hank stepped aside and opened the door.

"You can come in now."

Alice took a deep breath. She had steeled herself during the journey, convinced that she would not let him shake her.

But as soon as she entered the office and saw the man behind the desk, her walled fortress instantly crumbled.

No, it couldn't be.

“Caden?” she squealed.

As if hearing the cowardice in her own voice, Alice straightened her posture and lowered her voice.

"What are you doing here?"

Caden, dressed in an impeccable suit that perfectly outlined his masculine figure, looked up lazily.

His posture was relaxed, almost too casual, as if he had been waiting for her all along.

"Why wouldn't I be here?"

Alice's head swam. How the hell was this man so calm? She, on the other hand, felt like she was trapped in an endless nightmare.

Clinging to the hope that this was all a big mistake, she fumbled for her phone to double-check the address.

Caden's lips curved into a slight, knowing smile.

"You are not in the wrong place."

The atmosphere in the room seemed to drop a hundred degrees. Alice's clammy hands trembled as she slowly raised her gaze to meet his.

"So, that means... that night..."

He didn't even blink.

"Yes. It was me."

No… Oh, God, no!

Alice felt as if her world had turned upside down.

Caden, watching her unravel, leaned back in his chair lazily, his eyes never leaving her face.

"You still don't believe me?" he asked in a slow voice.

Her fingers moved elegantly, revealing a ring that sparkled in the dim light of the office.

Alice's expression changed abruptly and she lunged for the ring.

But Caden seemed to have anticipated it, gently lifting his arm out of reach.

Alice, completely caught off guard, stumbled forward, colliding with his chest.

The sudden impact left her momentarily breathless, and his familiar scent filled her nostrils.

Caden's voice, soft and mocking, rumbled quietly.

«So desperate to hug me, huh?

Heat rose up Alicia's neck, her ears burning with embarrassment. She instinctively tried to pull away, but Caden's arm fell, holding her in place.

“What is this? You don't want the ring anymore?” His voice was almost mocking, the underlying trap clear.

Alice's mind raced. It was obviously a trap.

Without the ring, Joshua would be a constant thorn in his side. But leaving it to Caden? This cunning man's plans would be infinitely worse.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, she took a moment to carefully weigh her options. Then, determined, she set her gaze on Caden and asked coldly,

"What do I have to do to get the ring?"

Caden's eyes sparkled with amusement, his gaze lingering on her blushing ears. A wicked grin curved his lips.

"Sit down first."

He slapped her thigh suggestively, making her stomach turn.

Alice looked at him with disgust on her face.

"Ew, don't be disgusted."

“Ah, but it seems you are not seriously negotiating, dear sister-in-law,” Caden said, clearly revealing in her discomfort.

Gritting her teeth, Alice reluctantly approached.

Just before sitting down, he asked in a tense voice,

"If I sit down, will you give me the ring?"

"Sit down first."

But Alice, refusing to be at his mercy, shook her head firmly.

"Not until you promise me."

Caden twisted the ring between his fingers and held it up to the open window.

Her resolve crumbled in the blink of an eye, and she slumped heavily onto his lap.

The heat from her body seeped through the thin fabric of her skirt, an unpleasant sensation spreading across her skin.

Her pulse quickened, the intimacy of the moment unbearable. Every second in his lap felt like torture.

"Caden, stop playing around and give it to me!"

Caden's smile faltered slightly, realizing his patience had worn thin.

His voice softened, though the evil glint never left his eyes.

"Please me. Make me feel something and the ring will be yours."

Alice's thoughts swirled in a storm of frustration as she spat,

"I'm your sister-in-law!"

"Exactly."

His face darkened with fury, heat rising to his cheeks.

Caden's lips curved into a smile, but his eyes were as dangerous as a poisonous snake.

He always knew how to touch the nerve that would make her missing.

But Alice was not one to back down.

“Fine, but I need to blindfold you,” he declared, a mischievous sparkle shining in his eyes.

Caden raised an eyebrow, piqued by curiosity.

"Are we getting creative?"

"Are you going to put the blindfold on or should I?"

Caden laughed, his laugh a low murmur.

"Do what you want."

Without hesitation, he took off his tie and threw it at her.

Alicia took it, her grip tightening as her own nerves threatened to betray her.

Calmly, she placed it around her eyes, shaking her hands, before securing it in place. Despite being shrouded in darkness, Caden remained motionless, allowing her to do as she was pleased.

Women had never aroused anything in him before, but that night something inside him had changed, as if a dormant switch had suddenly been turned on. Now he wanted to know what had changed.

Alicia took a deep breath, her fingers brushing his waist as she removed his shirt. A subtle warmth blossomed beneath her hands as they slid beneath the fabric, tracing the lines of her body.

His touch, gentle but deliberate, felt a slight chill through her.

However, Caden couldn't help but sneer.

He could draw up impeccable strategies when it came to compete with him, but with Joshua it lost all meaning.

All this for a stupid cheap ring?

Pathetic.

Then, without warning, his fingers found his most vulnerable spot.

Pain shot through him like lightning and he jerked, veins popping out of his neck.

“Argh!”

His hand went to her wrist, gripping it tightly. But before he could say anything, a knock on the door broke the tension.

“Mr. Ward,” came Hank’s voice from the other end, “Mr. “Joshua Yates has an urgent matter to discuss with you.”

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