Chapter 522:Property © of .

He had focused all his attention on Corey, never expecting to be blindsided like this.

Alicia paused for a moment before speaking.

“That means Dorian played a hand in it, too.”

Caden’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his fingers curling into a vice.

“Are you scared?” Alicia asked.

“No,” Caden replied coldly.

“Just disappointed.”

If she were honest, Alicia felt the same way.

But she was also worried.

“Dorian is serious this time.

We won’t have an easy path ahead.”

“It’s my path that’s difficult, not yours.

Dorian will never lay a hand on your gallery.” Caden started the car.

“I’ll report our findings to the police, then I’ll pay the Moss family a visit.”

He dropped Alicia off in front of Joy Mansion.

“Let me know immediately if there are any changes with Grandma’s condition.”

Alicia nodded, trying to push away the bad feeling gnawing at her heart.

“Drive safely.”

Caden hummed a casual response and sped off.

Alicia sighed to herself as she watched him disappear down the road.

When she entered Joy Mansion, she noticed a stranger sitting in the living room.

The man stood up and met her gaze.

Jasmine approached and said, “Miss Bennett, this is Mr.

Ward’s uncle.

He’s here to see Madam Ciara.”

Caden’s uncle, Benedict Ward, was in his fifties.

His demeanor was strikingly similar to Caden’s grandfather’s, with a commanding presence that immediately made Alicia feel uneasy.

She could sense that Benedict didn’t like her.

Despite this, she forced a smile and greeted him politely, “Hello, Mr.

Ward.”

Benedict gave her a once-over.

“Alicia Bennett, right?”

Alicia nodded.

“That’s right.”

“I heard from my mother when I arrived.

You’re Caden’s girlfriend?” Benedict’s tone was neutral, neither pleased nor displeased.

“Where is my nephew?”

“He went to the Moss residence,” Alicia replied truthfully.

“What for?” His tone shifted, now more interrogative.

Alicia took a deep breath, then answered, “Ciara experienced a great shock, so Caden went to the Moss family to demand an explanation.”

Benedict’s expression darkened.

“Why would he go to the Moss residence at a time like this? Matters between elders should be resolved by elders.

What if he makes things worse with his recklessness?”

“Please don’t worry, Mr.

Ward.

Caden knows what he’s doing.”

“Oh, I don’t think he has any idea what he’s doing at all!” Benedict snapped.

“Otherwise, he wouldn’t be involved with someone like you.”

Alicia froze, staring blankly at the stern-faced man before her.

Her intuition had been right—Caden’s uncle, a man of considerable influence in the Ward family, clearly didn’t like her.

Benedict wasn’t finished.

“I won’t go into the details of the relationship between the Moss family and the Ward family.

You must know it by now.

After all this time, I thought you’d come to your senses and realize you’re no match for Caden.

He may be immature, but you should have known better.

And now look! You’ve dragged him into this mess.

For what? To get a little of his wealth and status?”

Alicia’s temper flared, but she held it in, reminding herself that this man was still Caden’s elder.

“Perhaps there’s been a misunderstanding, Mr.

Ward.

Why don’t we wait for Caden and discuss this matter properly?”

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