Chapter 38


    Candice was still dazed and anchored to the ground when Sonia arrived.


    Sonia appeared to be feigning Innocence but was actually invitis. She approached Alex and asked,


    “What were you both discussing? I saw you together earlier.”


    Alex’s response was nonchnt. “Nothing important.”


    He quickly diverted the conversation, acking, “Did you enjoy the hike?”


    Sonia sensed that he was trying to downy the issue, but she was sharp and went along with him


    anyway,


    As Sonia passed Candice, she briefly hesitated beforementing. “It’s too bad you didn’t join the


    like; it was truly scenic.”


    That evening, Sonia organized a game of “Truth or Dare. The participants were divided into several


    groups due to therge number.


    Candice deliberately chose a spot away from Sonia and Alex, sitting on the outskirts with some less


    familiar colleagues


    The game initially began with participants being reserved in their questioning, but as time


    progressed, the nature of the questions graw increasingly bold.


    When Candice’s turn arrived, a colleague inquired curiously. “Candice, when and with whom was


    your first time?


    At that question, Candice fell silent.


    Sonia had just walked over to serve them fruits, paused and interrupted with a strained smile, “It’s


    inappropriate to ask a gift such


    personal questions.”


    Candice, following Sonia’s interruption, replied candidly. “At twenty, with Alex.”


    Her statement was not particrly loud, but most people had heard her since they stopped talking


    to listen to themotion.


    Sonia’s face drained of color immediately. She quickly set down the fruit tray and left with reddened


    eyes.


    The mood became tense, but Candice remainedposed and picked up a game prop, urging,


    “Shall we continue?”


    Everyone there was shrewd; sensing the sensitive situation, theyughed off the awkward moment


    and moved on.


    After several more rounds. Candice’s interest waned.


    She decided to head back to her room. However, as she turned aer, she was stopped by


    someone trailing her.


    “Can we talk?” Alex asked while frowning.


    Candice raised an eyebrow. “Regarding?”


    After a moment of intense gaze, Alex’s expression softened, and he dismissed the matter. “Forget


    it


    Hesitantly, Candice inquired, “Am I to me for what I said earlier?”


    Alex regarded her, musing. “Who was thatment for? Me? Sonia?”


    He brushed it off lightly, “I had already forgotten about it; why do you still remember it?”


    Surprised, she exined, “I was just answering their question.”


    Alex, showing a trace of annoyance, cautioned, “Avoid making such remarks in the future. It


    complicates things for me to exin to Sonia.”


    Candice contemted retorting–his reputation was not exactly ster at thepany. But amidst


    her jumbled thoughts, she chose to remain silent.


    She stopped participating in the events that followed, and Sonia no longer made an effort to


    interact with her as she used to.


    At the office. Sonia’s demeanor toward Candice had clearly changed.


    Ka noticed it too, frequently suggesting to Candice that it seemed like the people upstairs were


    intentionally making things challenging. for her.


    Candice remained silent on the matter, focusing instead on packing her things and preparing for her


    dinner with Jackson that evening.


    Jackson had invited her out several times before, but Candice had always been too upied to


    ept.


    He had chosen a restaurant that was popr on social media for their date.


    Upon Candice’s arrival Jackson expressed a modest apology. “Sorry for choosing this ce.”


    “It’s actually quite nice,” Candice reassured.


    Jackson, with a smile, Inquired about her well–being.


    She understood he was indirectly asking about Alex and responded, “Things are pretty much the


    same as always.”


    “Lex..”


    Jackson looked concemed. He sympathized with Candice, aware that she and Alex had been


    together for years, a fact well–known in their


    social circle.


    But now Alex had Sonia at his side, and things between them looked serious.


    At the mention of Alex, Candice’s movements froze momentarily, then quickly masked her reaction,


    She was not sure if it was meant to reassure Jackson or herself. She reasoned, “He was never truly


    mine. Ours was a rtionship where two adults just fulfilled each other’s needs.”


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    “Candy,” Jackson’s brow furrowed slightly.


    “Instead of worrying, you should just set me up with a boyfriend.” Candice quipped, her tonecking


    genuine enthusiasm.


    The suggestion, in reality, was not so simple. Her lengthy association with Alex made her a less


    desirable choice for any reputable family. Her predicament was identical to that of a divorcee.


    Jackson exhaled a sigh, shifting the conversation away from such matters. He Inquired, “How’s your


    foot injury healing?”


    “Nearly healed,” she responded.


    Jackson then made an awkward request, “Could you apany me to a party this weekend?


    It’s my aunt’s birthday, and she’s insisting I bring a date.”


    Candice was familiar with Jackson’s aunt, a renowned dancer in Domington City.


    On the evening of the event, she readied herself and awaited Jackson’s arrival,


    However, at six, Jackson called, unable to make it, and asked Candice to go alone,


    Without a word, Candice simply went downstairs and hailed a cab.


    The Saturday night traffic was heavy, and she arrivedte to the already–started party.


    Unable to contact Jackson by phone, she texted him and waited outside.


    While scrolling through her phone, she heard Sleg’s voice approaching, talking about her


    company’s recent team–building trip to a hot spring resort.


    Candice looked up slowly, noticing Sleg and Alex nearing her.


    Sieg, spotting her at the entrance, yfully remarked, “Hey, what are you doing, ying doorman


    here?”


    Candice disregarded his mockery and kept waiting for Jackson.


    “Would you like me to take you inside?” Alex’s aloof voice broke the silence as he addressed


    Candice. “Hmm?”


    Candice, after checking her phone and finding no response from Jackson, decided to put it away.


    She turned to Alex, expressing her gratitude. “Thank you.”


    Alex, wordless, presented his invitation and proceeded into the banquet hall.


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    Upon entering, he immediately noticed Jackson, who appeared to be hastily exiting.


    Candice called out to him.


    Jackson approached, looking somewhat defeated, and gestured towards a group of five or six


    children, exining apologetically. “They wouldn’t let me go. Sorry, Candy.”


    Sieg, curious, asked Jackson, “So you’re the one who brought Ms. Renault here?”


    Alex’s attention remained fixed on Candice. She was dressed elegantly for the event in an apricot,


    form–fitting long dress, her hair styled up, exuding a soft and graceful aura.


    Unaware of Alex’s scrutiny, Candice followed Jackson to meet his aunt.


    Siegmented admiringly, “Impressive; even Jackson’s smitten with her.”


    Meanwhile, Marc approached with a wine ss in hand.


    The Freemans, not being prominent in Dorrington City, meant Marc was not a part of Sieg’s inner


    circle.


    After exchanging greetings with Sieg and Alex, Marc lingered, seeming unsure of what to say next.


    Sieg, not one for patience, pressed, “Got something on your mind?”


    “Yes, sort of,” Marc replied, clearly nervous.


    His gaze shifted between Candice and Alex, and after a moment’s hesitation, he awkwardly asked,


    “Lex, is it really over between you and


    Candice?”


    Alex met his question wh


    a cool stare and responded tersely, “Hmm.”


    Encouraged by Alex’s response, Marc ventured further. “Do you think I stand a chance with her?”