Feeling drained, she said quietly, "Then go ahead with your game. I'm done."

In the days that followed, Alicia and Caden didn't meet.

It was Ciara who finally reached out, inviting Alicia to come over to Joy Mansion.

Alicia could tell by her voice that the news about Blake was out.

Ciara adored Blake deeply, and her voice cracked with emotion. “Why must the kindest souls endure the hardest trials? Of all the Ward family's children, Blake and Caden stand apart for their virtues, yet fate seems keen on challenging them."

The mention of Caden stirred a deep sadness in Alicia.

She felt helpless to aid him, and she refused to be destroyed by his reckless actions.

She was determined to thrive.

Should Dorian prevail, she might serve as Caden's fallback.

In a gentle voice, Alicia suggested, "Ciara, could you possibly talk some sense into Caden?"

Ciara let out a weary sigh and gave Alicia's hand a comforting pat.

“Alicia, after all these years, do you still not see who Caden is? His resolve has defined him since he was a boy. How could he ever concede to defeat?"

That evening, as the snow dusted the landscape, Caden made an unexpected appearance during dinner.

He entered wearing the scarf Alicia had given him, which he nonchalantly took off and laid aside.

In Ciara's presence, their strained relationship was less apparent.

Yet, both were clearly fatigued, their interactions strained and minimal.

At the dinner table, Caden brought up the upcoming engagement party, insisting that everything should go ahead as scheduled.

No interventions would be tolerated.

Alicia kept her eyes downcast, silently continuing her meal.

As the servant presented the final dish, she glanced towards the staircase and smiled. “Look, Ray is coming down."

All heads turned to see Ray at the top of the stairs, his tiny form looking lost and bewildered as he gazed down at them.

Ciara invited him to join them for a meal.

Ray paused briefly, then approached with his hands clasped behind him.

He was shivering slightly.