Chapter 88


    Candice had admittedly consumed more alcohol than she could handle.


    Her mind was foggy, and she felt a heaviness in her head, her hand shaking as it clung to the


    corner of Alex’s


    shirt.


    Alex noticed how she was tugging at his shirt, his tone void of emotion as hemented, “You


    really can hold your liquor.”


    Her eyes began to redden and moisten, washing away her customary poise and calm manner.


    “Don’t you hate such socializing?” she questioned softly, her eyshes quivering slightly.


    Alex had his reservations in some aspects, usually staying away from smoking and drinking, only


    partaking


    when strictly necessary.


    Having worked closely with him for years, Candice was well-versed in his preferences.


    His brows twitched slightly, clearly unconcerned that Candice was still clinging to his shirt.


    He scoffed. “You’re so dedicated to your job now?”


    Candice felt a tightness in her throat, making her ufortable.


    She leaned into the swing, and her grip on Alex’s shirt weakened.


    Pressing her lips together, she mentioned, “Sonia is here in Stugan too.”


    Alex’s eyes narrowed as he questioned, “What about it?”


    As Candice looked down, contemting her next words, a man approached them.


    “Mr. Elysian, everyone awaits you inside the vi,” he announced.


    Candice’s nned words were cut off. She nced at Alex, who gave a nod and returned her gaze.


    She felt a bit woozy, but thankfully, she had preemptively taken a hangover remedy from the waiter


    earlier. Even so, her thoughts were slightly clouded.


    Grasping what Alex was implying, she steadied herself on the swing and followed him to the vi.


    The walkway leading to the vi’s entrance was softly illuminated and decorated with begonias.


    Despite being cautious, Candice’s night blindness made it difficult for her to walk steadily, and her


    alcohol use made it worse.


    She proceeded cautiously, taking one step at a time, trying to adapt to the low light.


    Alex abruptly halted, catching Candice by surprise as she stumbled into him.


    His voice, devoid of warmth, resonated, “Can’t you walk properly?”


    Candice, covering her nose, took a step back and gently exined, “I didn’t anticipate you stopping


    abruptly.”


    +15 BONOS


    He let out a dismissive snort.


    In the darkness, his tall figure overshadowed Candice, resembling a great mountain.


    With her vision impaired, Candice felt immense pressure around her. She clenched her hand and


    said, ” Everyone’s waiting for you.”


    Attempting to walk past Alex with confidence, she misjudged her step and began to fall.


    Her heart raced in panic. She closed her eyes and braced for the impact, but it never came.


    Alex had caught her from behind just in time.


    Candice’s heart skipped a beat, stilling to terms with what had just happened as Alex drew her


    close to him.


    The shock cleared her head, but her palms felt icy.


    Alex gripped her arm strongly, his tone emotionless as he remarked, “Still as reckless as ever.”


    Candice intended to respond, but the difort in her throat intensified. She opened her mouth a


    few times but was unable to say anything.


    “Scared?” Alex nced at her, questioning, “Why are you so chicken?”


    Candice managed to utter a feeble “I” before Alex released her arm and grabbed her wrist instead.


    The lingering warmth on her skin left her momentarily disoriented, yet she quickly recovered, biting


    her lip. Her voice was hoarse, but she was adamant. “I can walk on my own.”


    Alex remained silent. He strode forward, holding her wrist tightly.


    She felt uneasy with the proximity and tried to pull away a bit.


    His voice,ced with a teasing tone, floated down to her. “You were walking so sluggish before. I


    almost believed you were blind. What else is there?”


    Candice hesitated briefly before quietly rifying, “I suffer from night blindness. I genuinely can’t


    see well. It’s not a pretense.”


    Alex came to a halt, then casually giggled. “What a convenient excuse.”


    Candice stayed quiet, allowing Alex to guide her to the vi entrance. Upon entering the brighter


    area, she let out a sigh of relief.


    Alex looked down, adjusting his cuffs. He cast a casual nce at her before entering.


    Inside, Sieg and Stan were already sitting in the living room.


    They called out to Alex, inviting him to a game. “Lex,e join us.”


    Candice noticed that they were ying cards.


    A heavily make-up girl was perched on Stan’sp, holding and ying his cards as he directed.


    +15 BONOS


    Stan whispered asionally to the girl, which made the girl chuckle.


    Everyone else at the table was doing the exact same thing. It was your average scene of


    affluent youngsters enjoying fun.


    Candice, maintaining a neutral expression, settled into a seat beside Alex.


    Sieg, clearly enjoying himself, urged Alex to join the card game as soon as he took his seat.


    Alex looked at Candice and directed, “You take over.”


    The sudden order surprised Candice.


    Alex, looking calm and slightly moving his wrist, remarked, “My hand is sore, and I don’t feel like


    moving.”


    His hands were slender and impable, the skin fair, and the knuckles well defined.


    Candice, observing his hand, sensed that her boss was subtly indicating the episode of them


    making it to the vi. Her eyes briefly flickered.


    Then she overheard Sieg, clearly unsatisfied, questioning, “Lex, are you brushing me off?”


    Alex casually answered, “I’m really not up to it.”


    “You looked alright a moment ago.”


    Alex chose not to borate further, and Sieg did not push the issue.


    Instead, Sieg turned to Candice with a click of his tongue, challenging, “We’re ying for high


    stakes. Are you sure you’re up for it?”


    Candice had little desire to y in the first ce, and Sieg’s words provided an excuse for her


    refusal.


    Before she could respond, Alex added, “If she loses, it’s on me.”


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Stan reacted with a grunt. He took the cards from the woman beside him and threw them onto


    the table, stating, “Mark your words. I won’t hold back.”


    Candice positioned herself at the table, while Alex reclined on the sofa, observing her with aid-


    back


    demeanor.


    “Hey, you’ve been out so long today.” Sieg said nonchntly as he picked up the cards and


    approached Alex. ”


    Didn’t Sonia look for you?”


    Candice hesitated for a moment while picking up her cards when she heard Alex’s indifferent hum.


    Sieg made a tsk sound andmented knowingly. “I see.”


    Luck was not on Candice’s side, as she drew some weak cards, putting her at a disadvantage in the


    game.


    Even worse, she was the first to y.


    Noticing her hesitation, the woman with Stan prodded her to move.


    .


    +15 BONOS


    Candice eventually yed the 7 of diamonds.


    She rarely yed poker but was well-versed in the game’s rules. However, her poor hand led to her


    defeat


    Stan chuckled and teased, “Mr. Elysian, your secretary just lost.”


    Alex’s face showed no reaction. His attention was on Candice.


    “How much is the loss?”


    Candice replied, “You were supposed to y this round.”


    He lounged back on the sofa, clearly not nning to get up, and reassured her. “You lost, but I’ll


    handle it. What’s there to worry about?”