Chapter 137
Helen’s remarks were biting and unkind.
Candice’s gaze darkened in response, but she chose not to engage in a dispute with Helen, instead
pressing her lips together.
In contrast, Helen’s scorn grew in response to Candice’s silence.
“I’ve already made it clear that I won’t approve of my son marrying someone from your
background,” she
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dered disparagingly. “Since you’re now involved with the Baldwins, you should leave my son and
retain
some self–respect,”
Candice maintained herposed demeanor, and met Helen’s gaze, calmly responding, “That’s a
conversation you should have with Sonia.”
Helen scoffed mockingly, and was about to retort when Alex returned from the study.
Turning to Alex, Helen reminded him in a neutral tone, “Remember your dinner appointment with
Ms. Landor
this weekend.”
Alex paused momentarily, his face unreadable. “I haven’t given my consent,” he replied.
“I’m not seeking your consent, merely informing you,” Helen retorted.
Leaving Elysian Manor, Alex looked visibly upset.
Noticing the tension in him, Candice frowned slightly. She was reluctant to stay with him when he
was in such
a poor mood.
As she moved to the driver seat, Alex halted her. “Let me drive.”
Observing his still–icy demeanor, she cautioned, “Driving while upset isn’t wise.”
Alex’s stern gazended on her and challenged, “Are you in any state to drive?”
Feeling unsettled after Helen’s provocation and faced with Alex’s adamant attitude, Candice silently
handed
him the keys and settled into the passenger seat.
Her car, while not extravagant, was a practical, moderately priced vehicle. She wasfortable
with it, though.
Alex seemed less so.
He clicked his tongue and asked, “Did you give all your earnings to your mother? You can’t even
afford a better
car.”
Candice’s reply was straightforward, “It’s merely for transportation. I don’t require luxury.”
Alex refrained from furtherments.
Rather than heading directly home, he diverted to a street opposite the fondue Candice had visited
earlier.
“What brings us here?” she asked, surprised.
“Picking someone up.” Alex replied sinctly.
415 BONIOS
Soon after, Alex neatly parked the car. Candice watched as Sonia stepped out of a nearby
restaurant
Initially, Sonia didn’t notice them, but then Alex honked the hom and lowered the window.
Sonia spotted Candice in the passenger seat, her expression transforming into one of shock.
She froze briefly before regaining herposure, and when she spoke her voice was soft, but her
surprise was evident. “Lex, why are you two together?”
Although she addressed Alex, her focus was clearly on Candice, seeking an exnation from her.
Preupied on her phone, and in a less–than–ideal mood, Candice preferred not to delve into their
situation.
Alex maintained a calm demeanor as he exined. “I needed to retrieve some documents from my
family
home.*
Sonia bit her lip, unsure how to respond.
Alex looked up at her, suggesting gently, “Come on, I’ll drive you home.”
Sonia had been with Alex long enough to sense the dissatisfaction in his voice.
She took a moment topose herself, quickly hiding her feelings, and nodded in agreement.
Energetically, she said, “You wouldn’t believe it. Julie and the rest had just left. They were waiting
for you
earlier.”
Her words came to an abrupt halt when she instinctively moved to open the passenger door and
caught
Candice’s quiet stare.
Pausing, she turned to Alex for guidance.
With her bag on herp, Candice coldly informed Sonia, “This car is mine, I just lent it to Alex for the
time being.
She had no obligation to vacate her seat for Sonia.
Alex’s hand remained on the steering wheel. He turned to Candice and questioned, with a hint of
criticism,” Are you really going to nitpick?”
Candice firmly suggested, “You can drop us at the office, then use your own vehicle to return
home.”
Her demeanor was notably more decisive that evening.
Alex observed her briefly before responding with a snicker.
Finally, Sonia settled in the back seat, eyeing the documents. “Lex, are you nning to take all
these files home?”
As she reached out for a file, Candice sharplymanded, “Don’t touch it.”
213. 213.
Sonia was startled and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“They’re in chronological order. Don’t mess them up.”
With an awkward apology, Sonia retracted her hand and said, “Sorry, Candice.”
Candice remained quiet, her gaze fixed on the flickering neon lights outside as Alex drove.
+15 BONOS
Ultimately, Alex drove them to the office. He nonchntly threw the keys to Candice and exited with
Sonia.
The keys were heavy andnded on Candice’s thumbnail, which began to ache.
She remained seated for a moment, waiting for the difort to ease before driving home.
The detour with Alex meant she didn’t arrive home until eleven.
Entering her study with the documents, Candice was determined to stick to her evening ns and
complete
her organization.
As Alex’s car halted at the residence entrance, Sonia lingered inside, hesitantly saying, “Lex.”
Feeling somewhat disheartened, she managed to muster a calm demeanor. “You mentioned
workingte at the office. Why did you suddenly need a document and to go with Candice?”
Turning to her, Alex disyed no signs of guilt or impatience. He simply stated, “I had to return to
my family’s
ce.”
“So, you took Candice with you?”
The information deeply unsettled Sonia. Candice was always Alex’s first choice when it came to
problems concerning his family. He never considered taking her, no matter how much she hinted.
Regardless of Alex’s attitude toward his family, the habit made a significant difference.
Sonia bowed her head, revealing a part of her neck and earlobe.
She was aware that this was the sight that was most likely to make Alex soften, a fact she had only
found after great effort. Perhaps even Alex wasn’t aware of it.
Her voice was tender and filled with sorrow. “Do you see me as dumb and lesspetent than
Candice?” After a brief pause, she added with increasing distress, “Is that why you’re hesitant to let
me try to bond with
your parents?”