The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 835:

Alicia straightened up quickly, a hint of embarrassment creeping onto her face. Caden smirked, adjusting his shirt.

“Well, well, looks like you’ve got a thing for this area of mine. Last time, you shocked me with a stun baton here, too.”

Alicia’s jaw tightened as she shot him a cool look.

“You’re mistaken, Mr. Ward. It was purely instinctual. I reached for the nearest thing in the moment.”

Caden leaned back casually, his grin widening.

“No need to be shy. If you’re that fond of it, I wouldn’t mind letting you explore it a few more times.”

Alicia’s smile faltered, her expression turning serious.

“Boundaries, Mr. Ward. I’d appreciate it if you could exercise a little self-control.”

Unfazed, Caden leaned back with a smirk.

“Why does it concern me? I’ve always been single.”

Alicia was caught off guard. She blinked, speechless for a moment, before letting out a slow, frustrated breath. She looked out the window, her hands clenched tightly in her lap as she fought to keep her composure. Finally, unable to hold it in, she rolled her eyes, her patience clearly worn thin.

Caden used the pretext of discussing the project to guide Alicia to a quiet beachside restaurant. As they sat down, he placed the business proposal in front of her. Alicia looked down at the document, her eyes scanning the technology research proposal.

Caden spoke casually.

“I told you I wouldn’t bring you all the way to Warrington for nothing. This is what you want most, right? It’s yours now.”

His words, delivered so nonchalantly, stirred a whirlwind of emotions in Alicia. She took a moment to gather herself, her mind racing. After a few moments, she opened the proposal, her eyes scanning the contents. Each key point was summarized with clean graphics, and the experiments were laid out with clarity. Caden’s expertise was undeniable, his skills shining through in every detail.

Trying to keep her emotions in check, Alicia lowered her gaze.

“Why are you so invested in this project?” she asked, her tone guarded. It was a question that seemed unnecessary, as though they both already knew the answer.

Caden didn’t hesitate.noveldrama

“You already know the answer. Why ask?”

Alicia’s chest tightened. She felt the familiar pang, the hurt she’d buried so many times. The compensation didn’t matter anymore. The damage that had been done between them was beyond repair.

Without another word, she shut the proposal and slid it back across the table to him. When she looked up, her face was composed, the walls firmly back in place.

“Thanks for your generosity, Mr. Ward, but this is your work. You must have completed it after so many difficulties. I can’t take it from you.”

Caden’s expression shifted, a flicker of something raw behind his usual calm.

“I’ve waited two years for you. And this is a project we’ve been researching for just one year. It’s not that difficult for me.”

Alicia stayed silent, the weight of his gaze pressing on her. She fought to remain composed, but under his piercing stare, she found herself looking down again.

“I don’t want anything handed to me,” she said quietly but firmly.

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