Chapter 127


    +15 BONOS


    Sonia was a vivacious person. With Sieg by her side, she was able to blend in with ease.


    Meanwhile, Candice lingered on the outskirts for a short while, feeling idle. Eventually, she made


    her way to the grill stations, took several skewers nonchntly, and set them on a grill.


    Not being a regr at barbecuing or cooking, Candice struggled to manage the temperature.


    It wasn’t until a charred scent filled the air that she realized she had overdone the food.


    As Candice hurried to fix things, Sieg approached to retrieve something and was immediately hit by


    the burnt smell. He frowned. “What’s that smell?”


    Candice, keeping her cool, was about to dispose of the charred food when Sieg caught her in the


    act.


    He eximed dramatically, “Candice, can you even cook?”


    Still holding the te, Candice froze.


    She nced at Sieg but chose to remain silent.


    Sieg sneered contemptuously. After being verbally bested by Candice earlier without a chance for


    rebuttal, this was his moment.


    He scrutinized the burnt food on the te and clicked his tongue. “Is this ‘perfect wife and mother‘


    act for Lex or Jake’s benefit?” Sieg taunted mockingly.


    He blocked Candice’s path before she could move and scoffed, seeming to enjoy the drama.


    Candice maintained a neutral expression and confronted him in a low voice, “Ever been told how


    annoying you are?”


    Her tone was icy. Her expression was unflinching.


    Sieg’s face hardened as he retorted louder, “Am I being too lenient with you?”


    His sudden spike in volume captured the crowd’s attention, all eyes pivoting to their confrontation,


    Marc was engaged in a discussion with Alex about an Aether Corporation project, and turned at the


    noise.


    He muttered, “Why must Sieg always target Candice?”


    13 Marc


    Aware of the close bond between Alex and Sieg, Marc hesitated but Alex was already stepping


    forward. Marc quickly followed.


    Sieg was clearly drunk. He red at Candice, and when he spoke his tone was using.


    “Annoying? Look at yourself, flirting with different men. Do you think you’re above others?”


    Cornered and insulted, Candice’s anger red.


    Briefly closing her eyes, she coldly asked, “Mr. Frowler, you use me of flirting. Whom exactly


    have I charmed?”


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    Sieg’s disdain was clear as he made his challenge. “You don’t know? How else would you be


    Aether


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Corporation’s chief secretary?”


    He was about to continue when Alex’smanding voice cut through, “Sieg!”


    Sieg looked up and saw Alex. He frowned and seemed like he had something to say.


    Marc could feel the tension spike. He quickly walked up from behind Alex to smooth things over.


    “Didn’t you say we were going to y a couple of gamester?” he asked as he brought Sieg a


    ss of juice.”


    Don’t drink too much.”


    Sieg was hesitant to ept it at first, but he caught Alex’s warning stare, unwillingly groaned and


    epted


    the juice.


    Marc exhaled a sigh of relief and turned to Candice.


    Candice’s expression was nk, her eyes devoid of any feeling, as she clutched the te.


    It was understandable. Being publicly used and embarrassed would upset anyone.


    Marc could tell how she felt. He touched his face awkwardly, took the te from her hands, and


    softly asked, ” Would you like something to eat? I can cook it on the grill for you. I’m quite skilled at


    it.”


    Candice nced at him briefly. After a moment of hesitation, she responded, “Thank you, but I’m


    fine.”


    Caught in the awkward situation, Marc’s eyes moved back and forth between Candice and Sieg.


    He paused, thinking, and an idea came to him. “If you’re not hungry, how about I show you some


    paintings inside? I’ve mentioned them to you before. You might find them interesting.”


    Even though she was still uneasy. Candice knew it was Marc’s birthday. She gave a slow nod and


    apanied him inside.


    As they passed Alex, she sensed his icy stare on her, but chose not to meet his gaze.


    Inside Marc’s house were several artworks by a fairly well–known modern artist, which Candice was


    familiar


    with through Hanley.


    Feeling somewhat awkward, Marc rubbed his hands together andmented. “That’s just how


    Sieg is. Don’t take it to heart.”


    Candice stayed silent, fully aware of Sieg’s nature.


    Marc paused as he realized that he couldn’t apologize on behalf of Sieg.


    As he opened his mouth to switch topics, his phone rang. He pulled it out. It was a call from work.


    Marc nced at Candice hesitatingly. “I need to take this call.”


    Candice gave a nod and continued to examine the paintings.


    Concerned she might get bored, Marc suggested, “Jake had to step out for a bit. I’ll ask him to join


    you.”


    +15 BONOS


    With that, he quickly departed.


    Candice didn’t mind. She preferred not to run into Sieg and the others outside, so she focused on


    one particr painting.


    Voices from the party asionally seeped in, but they were mostly muffled.


    Footsteps approached as Candice took a photo of the painting with her phone, sending it to Hanley.


    She spoke


    to Jackson without turning around. “Has Hanley nned his return to Dorrington City yet?”


    She remembered Hanley talking about the artist’s uing exhibit in Dorrington City.


    Receiving no response from Jackson, she turned around. It was Alex.


    His dark eyes were on her as he casually asked, “You look happy. Is it because Hanley is returning


    to Dorrington City?”


    Candice’s calm expression now showed a hint of chill as she responded, “And so what if that’s the


    case?”


    Alex’s eyes narrowed for a moment before he nonchntly said, “It’s irrelevant.”


    Candice felt her irritation rise, and advised him coldly. “If it’s irrelevant, then kindly ask your friend to


    not


    interfere in others‘ affairs.”


    She was hinting at Sieg.


    Alex’s eyebrows moved slightly. He was about to reply when suddenly, a p of thunder resounded


    outside, followed by Sieg’s loud exmation, “Damn, it’s started raining!”


    Dorrington City was known for its sudden summer rainstorms. Itt began to pour almost instantly


    following Sieg’s outburst.


    People scrambled indoors, paying no attention to Candice and Alex, all eager to find shelter from


    the rain.


    The crowd of hurrying partygoers jostled them both, and suddenly Candice and Alex were close.


    Candice caught the scent of cedar on Alex as she stepped back, only to be startled by the sound of


    a heavy


    object falling outside, apanied by Sonia’s rmed cry.