Alicia let out a thoughtful "Oh."

"Mr. Ward let it slip." Alicia lied. "He mentioned you left a love manual at his place, and he spilled all your secrets to me."

Hank chuckled awkwardly. "As long as you two are happy."

Caden kept the charade up, pretending to address the issue directly.

“You've left that book at my place for a while. Please take it back with you when you come to work tomorrow."

Hank nodded. "Sure, Mr. Ward. Sorry for any inconvenience."

"It's alright," Caden replied.

The atmosphere in the car was congenial, with the boss' tacit cooperation with his employee in staging an act for Alicia's benefit.

Though Caden's expression was serene, internally he was satisfied with his choice of Hank and planned to give him a raise next month.

Hank forced a smile but harbored a twinge of envy, fantasizing about a future where roles were reversed. He would make Caden and Alicia his assistant and driver, enforcing a strict no office romances policy.

Recently, Monica had developed a new medication specifically for Alicia's alcohol allergy.

Alicia had completed two courses and decided to test it by having a little drink tonight. After two glasses, she felt slightly itchy.

However, it was just itchiness without any rash, and scratching provided relief.

Alicia was pleased. “It does work. Maybe if I keep taking it, I‘1L completely overcome the allergy."

Caden parked the car. Alicia couldn't resist but asked, “Can you scratch my back?"

The weather was warm, and her light clothing made it easy for her to lift her shirt slightly, revealing a flash of her delicate waist.

Caden paused to look a moment longer than necessary. Placing his hand on her waist, he asked, "Is it itchy here?"

Alicia leaned against the steering wheel, turning her head to give him a look. "I asked you to scratch my back. Does my back look Like it's on my waist?"

Caden adjusted his fingers under her direction, diligently scratching wherever she indicated. After a few scratches, he leaned in closer.

"Is the pressure okay?"

Alicia felt a flutter from his proximity. The overhead light cast shadows across his eyes, giving him a look of deep affection as if he were admiring a cherished partner.

“It's fine, not itchy anymore," Alicia said, lowering her gaze.

Caden held her hand and leaned closer. “I'm feeling a bit itchy too.”

Alicia's eyes sparkled. She met his gaze and said, “You're not allergic. What could you possibly be itchy for?"