Chapter 128


    “Help! Come quickly! Sonia was hit!”


    There was a ruckus outside, and those inside started to head out in groups.


    Candice sensed a sudden chill in Alex’s demeanor before he swiftly made his way outside.


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    She chose to stay put, observing as the crowd dispersed. With so many already attending to the


    situation, she


    felt her presence was unnecessary.


    The abrupt downpour had made the weather gloomy, and the visibility was poor outside, making it


    challenging


    to go out anyway.


    The room gradually emptied, leaving only a few people whom Candice didn’t recognize dispersed


    throughout.


    A message came through from Hanley, and she had just finished responding when the others


    began returning,


    filling the room with noise once again.


    Candice noticed Sonia. Her face was pale, and her hair was damp and clinging to her face. She


    looked like a fragile flower, and she stayed close to Alex, gingerly assisted by a few others.


    Assuming Sonia had injured her foot, Candice moved aside to allow the group to pass.


    Sonia was seated on a couch, her expression still etched with fear, but she managed a weak smile


    and quietly expressed her gratitude to everyone. “Thanks for the concern, but I’m okay.”


    Marc quickly asked, “Are you sure? Perhaps you should visit a hospital for a check–up.”


    His concern was palpable. Given that he was the host, he wouldn’t want to be held ountable for


    any


    mishaps.


    Sieg chimed in. “With this rain, there’s a risk of infection. Lex, it might be best for you to take Sonia


    to the hospital.”


    His tone was the same as usual butced with sincere worry.


    Candice raised her eyebrows.


    “Should we head to the hospital?” Alex asked gently, his gaze fixed on the gash in Sonia’s palm,


    sounding almost soothing.


    Sonia hesitated, biting her lip. Herplexion was pale, and she looked even more disheveled


    from the rain.


    She maintained a brave and reasonable demeanor as she assured Alex, however. “It’s just a small


    cut. I’ll be


    all right. Don’t let me stop your fun. A bit of ointment will do.”


    Marc hurried to retrieve a first aid kit. “Let’s get that wound treated quickly then.”


    Sonia’s clothes were drenched, and she looked ufortable. “May I use your bathroom?” she


    asked awkwardly.


    +15 BONOS


    A girl nearby quickly prompted Marc to provide Sonia with some clothes from his sister to change


    into.


    With her injured hand, Sonia struggled to take off her outer wet things. She nced at Alex for


    help.


    Someone teased, “Hey, Lex, are you going to assist Sonia with changing? If you do, will we ever


    see you two


    return?”


    The joke sparkedughter among the group.


    Sonia blushed deeply and, looking at Alex, murmured, “It’s okay, I can manage.”


    Alex’s expression remained unaltered as he remarked, “But your hand is injured.”


    Sonia’s face was flushed.


    She nced around and noticed Candice on the outskirts of the crowd, and called out imploringly,


    “Candice,


    can you help me, please?”


    Candice was about to decline, but another girl interjected, “So, you’ll change first and then take care


    of the wound? It might be tough to do it the other way around.”


    Sonia smiled at Candice and said, “I’d really appreciate your help.”


    Reluctantly, Candice began heading towards the guest room.


    However, she soon realized Sonia wasn’t following. Turning around, she found Sonia still standing


    there, looking sheepish.


    Sonia sounded apologetic as she asked, “Candice, could you give me a hand walking there?”


    Candice briefly looked at Sonia’s feet and stayed silent, then moved to assist her.


    Sonia leaned heavily on Candice, who had to use both hands to support her due to Sonia’sck of


    strength.


    Candice frowned, her expression concerned. “Have you injured your leg?”


    Sonia blinked, her voice soft as she replied, “I might have twisted my ankle.”


    Candice nodded and helped Sonia make it to the guest room.


    Already damp and muddy, by the time they got to the guest room, some of the dirt had transferred


    from Sonia onto Candice’s clothes.


    A single set of clean clothes had beenid out by the housekeeper on the bed.


    As Candice stepped away, Sonia noticed the marks she left on her and apologized quietly, “Sorry. I


    didn’t mean to do that.”


    Candice examined the minor stains on her clothing and responded nonchntly, “Change into


    clean clothes. Call me if you need assistance.”


    “I’m going to shower,” Sonia said, smiling apologetically before heading towards the bathroom with


    the clean


    +15 BONOS


    In stark contrast to her earlier difficulty, her walk was steady.


    Candice observed her effortless movement, her expression growing thoughtful.


    Sonia spent quite some time in the bathroom, moving cautiously due to her injury and fear of


    aggravating it.


    Candice waited. She contemted cleaning her clothes in the bathroom but refrained as Sonia


    upied it.


    Unwilling to ask for and wear someone else’s attire, she decided to leave her clothes as they were.


    When Sonia returned, she was dressed in the fresh clothes, with her makeup reapplied. She


    informed Candice crisply, “I’m ready.”


    Sonia did not rely on Candice’s assistance when they left and walked a little ahead of her.


    A new round of games had already begun, and the atmosphere was upbeat even though the rain


    continued.


    A partygoer spotted them and called to Sonia. “Lex and the others are in the billiards room.”


    Sonia acknowledged with a grunt and turned to Candice. “I’m going to join Lex.” Sonia walked off.


    Candice stayed where she had stopped, then found a corner and sat down, distractedly using her


    phone.


    She couldn’t go home because the rain didn’t seem to be ending. She contemted calling


    Jackson. A male voice interrupted her thoughts..


    “Hey. The one by the window in ck.”


    Candice realized with surprise that he was addressing her. She looked over at an unfamiliar man.


    He seemed to be in a bad mood. “See that coat next to you? Bring it to me.”


    Candice looked. A coat did lie beside her. She hesitated butplied, bringing it over to him.


    He leaned against the entrance to the billiards room.


    As she approached, Candice had to cross paths with Sieg and another man exiting the room.


    She handed over the coat, and saidposedly, “Here’s your coat.”


    “Rolf, despite your many flings, you aren’t blind, are you?” Sieg halted, then focused on Candice,


    examining her from head to toe before sneering. “You’re filthy.”