Chapter 130


    Sonia gently smiled, resting her head on Alex’s shoulder. In a soft voice, she said, “If it really is the


    case, Candice and Mr. Shyan are quite the heavenly pair.”


    Alex subtly lowered his gaze in response, making a low hum. Sonia’s smile widened a bit more.


    In the corner, Candice sat idly. To pass the time, she had Hanley send her some documents to sort


    through.


    The rain appeared to have eased off a bit, and she felt warmer after wrapping herself in Jackson’s


    coat.


    She heard footsteps and nced up automatically to see Alex approaching, phone in hand, his


    face


    expressionless.


    He was in the middle of a call and his voice was icy. His brows knitted together as he issued a


    directive. “I need all the documents on my desk by Monday morning’s meeting.”


    The call ended with the other party saying something that made Alex’s face grow even colder.


    Candice sat nearby, and had turned her attention back to the documents.


    When Alex hung up, however, she looked up once more.


    Initially he was focused on his phone, but upon noticing her gaze, he lifted his eyes, looking at the


    coat she


    wore, his expression falling into deep thought.


    Sensing his poor mood, Candice discreetly nced away, continuing to blend into the background.


    Alex didn’t linger for long and soon went back to the billiards room, leaving Candice by herself in the


    living


    room.


    The party went on until the wee hours. By that time, the rain had eased to a light drizzle.


    Jackson came out of the billiards room and found Candice. “Are you tired?”


    “If you’re tired, I can drive,” Candice offered.


    Before she couldplete her sentence, Marc approached. “Jake, I need a favor. Rolf’s car is


    having trouble.


    Can you give them a lift?”


    Jackson was known for his amiable nature, and wasmonly asked for favors, but he hesitated


    awkwardly.


    “I was supposed to drive Candy home,” he said.


    “Actually, Lizzie had too much to drink. It’s not safe for her to travel alone, and you’re all headed in


    the same direction,” Marc exined, busy coordinating everything.


    Candice spoke up, “It’s fine. You should drive them home, especially with a girl in the group.”


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


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    Jackson agreed, considering the safety of the drunk girl. “I’ll drop them off first and then take you


    home.”


    Candice had no objections, but when it was time to depart, she discovered two additional


    passengers needed a ride from Jackson, both of whom had been drinking.


    Jackson gave Candice a worried look.


    Seeing Jackson’s concern, Candice nced at a girl so drunk she was barely conscious and quietly


    said, “I can get a cab. You go ahead with them.”


    Jackson had given his word to help the others. He reluctantly left with the group.


    As they departed, the remaining guests also began to leave.


    Eventually, only Sonia, Sieg, Alex, and Candice were left.


    As the birthday boy, Marc had indulged in a fair amount of drinking.


    Sieg, ever the life of the party, was bound to join Alex for the ride home.


    Candice checked the time and realized she could still catch a taxi. She approached Marc. “Marc,


    could I borrow an umbre, please?”


    Marc was puzzled. “Are you nning to g down a taxi?” Marc scratched his head. “Hey, you and


    Lex live close by, right? Why not hitch a ride with him?” Marc called over to Alex. “Lex, it’s dark and


    rainy, not ideal for Candice to hail a taxi alone. Mind dropping her off along your route?”


    Alex gave Candice a frigid look and didn’t say anything.


    “Lex, it’s gettingte and raining outside,” Sonia murmured quietly beside him. Candice taking a cab


    back home makes no sense.” With a teasing grin, she continued, “It’s fine, you can give her a lift. I


    won’t be jealous.”


    “Why does she need a ride?” At Sonia’sment, Seig, who had been absorbed in his phone,


    looked up. He nced at Candice. “She’s grown up. Can’t she manage a taxi ride without getting


    lost? Besides,” he added, ” I’m queasy from the drinks and need to recline in the back. You know


    your home address, right?”


    His question was directed at Candice.


    Candice disyed her phone and responded nonchntly, “No worries, my taxi’s already here.”


    “At least you have some self–awareness,” Sieg observed.


    Disinterested in further conversation, Candice epted Marc’s offer of an umbre and headed


    out.


    Passing Alex, she overheard his biting remark in a chilly tone.


    Uncertain of his mockery, Candice clenched the umbre’s handle tighter and proceeded outside.


    The journey to exit the viplex was about twenty minutes on foot. Thankfully, the streetlights


    were bright, and Candice was able to walk at a leisurely pace.


    Her cab arrived promptly. The driver had waited a bit and rang her up.


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    Candice heard a car honking from behind when she hung up the phone. She stood beneath a


    streetlight, and ncing over she recognized Alex’s caring towards her.


    There were puddles on the road. She stepped back to avoid the ssh, but in vain.


    Candice scowled in disgust at the wet mud.


    Alex then pulled up next to her. He lowered the window, and his voice was stern when he spoke.


    “Get in.”


    Candice remained where she was, holding the umbre. “I called a cab. It’s already arrived.”


    “I don’t want headlines about an Aether Corporation employee in troublete at night,” Alex


    dered impatiently.


    Candice was about to retort when Alex’s tone chilled further.


    “Should I get out and open the door for you?”


    Candice gave up. Folding the umbre, she opened the car’s back door and saw Sieg lounging


    inside.


    He frowned at Candice, displeased. “So now you’re ying the saint? Should I kneel and bow to


    you before you’ll agree to get in?”


    Candice quietly stored her umbre and got in.


    Sonia sat in the front passenger seat. She turned around and gave Candice a disapproving look.


    “Why insist on a cab at this hour? Didn’t you consider your safety? Who would be held ountable


    if something happened to you?”


    Candice stared at Sonia, who looked back innocently and as if she truly believed Candice to be


    unreasonable and petnt.


    Sieg sneered. “Perhaps she did it knowing Lex wouldn’t leave her behind.” He raised an eyebrow


    mockingly at Candice. “ying hard to get? Must be well–versed in military strategy.”


    Candice pressed her lips and stayed silent for a long time.


    What else could she say? They had covered it all, both the good and the bad.