Chapter 133


    Joe was visibly surprised and asked, “Why suddenly consider resigning?”


    He had witnessed Candice’s efforts to remain at Aether Corporation.


    After a brief contemtion, he gravely questioned, “Is this about Lex?”


    Joe had learned of Candice’splications with Alex during hisst hospitalization. Yet, as he


    faced Candice.


    he was unsure of what to say next.


    “It’s not that,” Candice responded. Her face betrayed no emotion as she held her grandfather’s


    hand,


    maintaining a steady voice, “Performing the same role for years has be monotonous. I’m


    seeking a new challenge in a different field.”


    Joe’s expression showed a mix of concern and hesitation, but he chose to remain silent.


    Shifting the conversation, Candice asked, “Has the doctor mentioned your discharge date?”


    Joe exhaled and nced at her, deciding not to probe further into her career decisions.


    Upon arriving home, Candice received a grateful message from Hanley. As she was about to reply,


    an


    unexpected call came through.


    The voice on the other end belonged to a middle–aged woman. “Ms. Renault? Hello, I’m with Ster


    Property.


    We saw your housing inquiryst night. Are you interested in renting or leasing?”


    As she had browsed rental options the previous night, restless and unable to sleep, Candice had


    registered on


    a housing website.


    Candice found herself caught off guard by the call. “I’m interested in renting.”


    The agent asked, “What are you looking for in a rental? Any specific preferences?”


    “Something affordable.” Candice replied. She lowered her gaze to the designs on her desk and


    softly spoke,”


    However, I’m uncertain about the duration of the lease.”


    Picking up on her uncertainty, the agent suggested, “How about we connect on WhatsApp? This


    way, you can


    reach out whenever needed, and I can keep an eye out for properties that meet your needs.”


    Candice consented, adding the agent, and then proceeded to get ready for bed.


    The next day at Aether Corporation, department heads convened for the routine morning meeting.


    Right after Candice’s meeting concluded, she was notified of an additional meeting on the upper


    floor.


    Ka’s face fell with the prospect of overtime. “It’s going to be a long one.” All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    The Secretarial Department often dreaded theseprehensive analysis periods, as they meant


    addressing a


    143


    +15 BONOS


    In contrast to the more focused tasks of the President’s Office, the Secretary’s Office was akin to a


    hub for varied responsibilities.


    Having packed up and noticing Ka’s demoralized state, Candice reassured her. “Don’t worry, it’s


    not that bad.”


    Ka mistook her calm for not being aware of the heavy workload. She sighed and waved her off.


    “You’ll see what I mean soon enough.”


    Candice simply shook her head and exited.


    Ka had no idea of the breadth of Candice’s experience or the effort it required to get to her


    current position. Her experience spanned over a year in the Secretary’s Office before she had been


    transferred to the President’s Office.


    Candice arrived at the meeting and saw the managers from other departments present.


    She had a good rtionship with Tamia Howard from the Human Resources Department.


    Tamia smiled and invited her to lunch. “Shall we grab a bite together at noon?”


    As Candice epted. Sonia signaled themencement of the meeting.


    Today, Sonia appeared particrly poised in her white suit.


    In a hushed tone, Tamia spected. “Is Sonia about to be made permanent? Her file was essed


    by HR today.”


    Candice estimated Sonia’s tenure at thepany and noted she was still within her probationary


    period. Despite that, she was aware that Sonia’s eventual permanent position was likely, given


    Alex’s support.


    As they entered the conference room, they found Alex in a discussion with the heads of Finance


    and Operations.


    Candice positioned herself at the rear.


    The meeting revolved around familiar topics, mid–year reviews, analyses, and key strategies for the


    latter half of the year.


    While Candice was jotting down notes, Alex’s icy voice cut through, “Is anyone here from the


    Secretary’s Office?”


    Tamia shifted aside as Candice acknowledged, “I am here.”


    “When will you be able to submit the project proposal and recap fromst week’s Lance meeting?”


    Alex questioned her emotionlessly as he tapped the table, fixing his gaze on Candice.


    Looking down, she assured, “It will be ready after a final review by noon.”


    Alex’s brows furrowed slightly. He narrowed his eyes and instructed. “Make sure the mid–year


    report is ready


    +15 BONOS


    Aware of the Secretary’s Office’s workload, Tamia nced at Candice with empathy. With so many


    departments in Aether Corporation, they needed to organize all of the data in a matter of days,


    which would almost certainly mean overtime.


    Breaking the silence, Tamia queried, “Mr. Elysian, the internship applications are out. Would you like


    to oversee the interviews?”


    Uninterested, Alex dismissed the idea, saying, “No need for that.”


    After a brief pause, he directed his attention to Candice and said, “You handle it.”


    Tamia looked concerned. “But Candice is swamped with the analysis work. Will she have enough


    time?”


    With a slight lift of his eyes toward Candice, he questioned, “You can manage this, right?”


    Candice affirmed, “I’ll see to it.”


    Alex acknowledged with a nod and continued. After a little while he recalled another matter, and


    indicated


    Candice again. “There’s an impromptu meeting this afternoon about the Riverstone Project. Get


    ready for it.”


    Candice nodded. “Understood.”


    “You’re joining me for the meeting.” Alex stated casually, not even ncing up, as though it was a


    given for


    Candice to be there.


    Once outside the office, Tamia mused to Candice, “It almost seems like you’re still Mr.


    Elysian’s right hand. Your responsibilities haven’t really changed, have they?”


    Candice was holding some documents. She paused thoughtfully before asking, “How so?”


    “How so?” Tamia asked. “You’re still overseeing interviews and meetings, right?” Then she


    whispered


    conspiratorially. “Rumors say Sonia is just a pretty face for Mr. Elysian. That shecks genuine


    skills. They


    doubt she’llst.”


    Candice maintained herposure, choosing not to engage in gossip about Sonia’s longevity.


    Instead, she asked after a pause, “How long does the procedure for resigning take?”


    “You need to submit a notice two weeks in advance and handle the handover,” Tamia exined.


    Realizing Candice’s implication, she asked, “Is someone resigning?”


    Candice responded with a blink. “It’s me.”


    Tamia looked surprised for a moment, then chuckled dismissively. “You’re joking, right? You


    wouldn’t leave this ce, even if I did.”


    Her tone was lighthearted, as if she were confident Candice would not leave thepany.