Chapter 148


    The awkward atmosphere didn’t linger for long. Soon, some friends came out to greet Sieg.


    smoothing things over.


    Candice found herself in a dilemma now. Neither leaving nor staying seemed appropriate, so she


    settled back onto the sofa.


    The two young men beside her noticed her low spirits and, without lingering, slipped away to the


    other side.


    As the room buzzed again, Yana approached with a drink, finding Candice absentmindedly staring


    at her phone.


    Seating herself beside Candice, Yana spoke, “They’re ying cards over there. Why don’t you join?


    By the way, why hasn’t Hanleye up yet?”


    The dim lighting in the room conveniently concealed Candice’s expression. Her voice was soft as


    she said, “I’m fine here. You all go ahead.”


    She hadn’t had dinner that night, and after holding back her frustration all afternoon, her stomach


    finally began feeling ufortable.


    Seeing herck of enthusiasm, Yana refrained from persuading her further, choosing to entertain


    herself with another girl, drink in hand.


    With the lights dimmed in the room, Candice’s vision wasn’t great in low light. Plus, she had


    deliberately chosen a corner seat so she couldn’t see where Sieg and Alex were, which eased her


    mind a bit.


    However, being in the same space still made her somewhat uneasy.


    After sitting for a while, she grabbed her bag, preparing to go to the restroom.


    She walked slowly, finally reaching the door of the private room. However, before she could open


    it, the door swung open, revealing Hanley holding a phone, standing right there.


    He nced at Candice with a lowered gaze. “What’s wrong?”


    Before Candice could answer, someone inside who knew Hanley greeted him, “Hanley, you’re


    here? I didn’t believe Yana when she said you’d returned.”


    Candice lowered her eyshes and shifted aside slightly. “I’m going to the restroom. You go


    ahead.”


    +15 BONOS


    Hanley seemed to want to say something but was interrupted. He was about toe up earlier,


    but suddenly, a call came from their coborator mentioning a new requirement, forcing him to


    stay downstairs a bit longer.


    In the restroom, Candice washed her hands and then nced at her reflection in the mirror.


    Her makeup was still wless, but the fatigue in her eyes was too evident.


    She pursed her lips and sent a message to Hanley, nning to head home for some rest.


    However, as she turned the corner, she spotted Alex on a call.


    His face was serious, eyes lowered, meaning he was probably discussing business.


    Candice hesitated, wondering whether to wait a while before passing by. But as if sensing


    something, Alex lifted his gaze just as she contemted stepping back.


    If she retreated now, it would seem intentional.


    Her gaze flickered, and she decided to proceed.


    Just a few steps away from Alex, she overheard his cold,posed voice from the phone. “Okay,


    I’ll consider it.”


    He hung up, his gaze casually sweeping over Candice before retracting.


    He nced down at his phone, his tone still somewhat cold. “Have you done this before?”


    There were only a few people in the corridor spaced apart. Candice understood he was asking


    about the incident with the two young men who had offered her drinks earlier.


    Struggling to maintainposure, she replied firmly, “No.”


    “First time?” Alex’s tone slightly lifted at the end. He nced up at Candice, seemingly assessing


    the honesty behind her words.


    She felt a pang of shame when he bluntly asked her such a question. She closed her eyes briefly,


    her voice dry. “Does it even matter? I don’t see why I should report to you.”


    With a cold scoff, he pocketed his phone. His ck pupils fixed on her, seemingly containing a


    surging wave.


    A storm was brewing.


    After a while, his voice, void of any emotion, sounded, “Give me your medical check–up report by


    tomorrow.”


    +15 BONOS


    Candice was stunned, then widened her eyes. “What do you mean?”


    Alex remained expressionless. “Your exnations don’t convince me.”


    Having said that, he turned and left.


    Candice stood there alone, gasping for breath.


    She knew exactly what Alex meant by asking for her medical report. He suspected her of being


    involved in something illicit outside and feared she might contract an unwanted illness.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Candice felt as though she had been pped hard across the face. She had to hold onto the


    window frame to steady herself and breathe.


    This medical report tore apart her dignity into pieces. Alex had shown no mercy.


    She didn’t remember how she descended the building, but when she reached the parking lot, she


    struggled to open the car door, pulling it multiple times before it gave way.


    Seated in the driver’s seat, she leaned her forehead against the steering wheel. Waves of pain hit


    her stomach, but she seemed unaware, the words spoken by Alex echoing in her mind.


    It wasn’t until Hanley called, asking if she had reached home, that she realized she had been


    sitting in the car for an hour.


    Her voice sounded hoarse as she replied, “Just arrived, nning to rest.”


    Hanley sensed something off. “What’s wrong?”


    “Nothing, I just had something spicy downstairs. My throat isn’t feeling great,” she hurriedly


    exined before hanging up.


    When she reached home, it was alreadyte. She found a box of stomach medicine in the drawer,


    swallowing some before retiring to her room.


    She had a sleepless night, waking up the next day looking terrible.


    She rarely wore heavy makeup, but today, she did, attempting to conceal her haggard face.


    At the office, just as she stepped out of the elevator, she ran into Ka, who furrowed her brows at


    Candice, “Candice, Mr. Elysian suddenly notified us of an emergency meeting this morning.”


    Candice paused. “When did he send the notice?”


    “Ten minutes ago. Mr. Elysian said the meeting starts as soon as he arrives at the office,” Ka


    replied, then realizing something, turned to Candice. “Didn’t he inform you?”


    +15 BONOS


    Candice hadn’t received any message from Alex. Instead of answering Ka’s question, she


    asked, “What kind of meeting is it?”


    “It seems to be about the financialization of artworks. There’s been a lot of support for this policy


    lately, as per my friend’s information,” Ka said.


    However, Candice’s brows furrowed deeply. She had heard Hanley mention this before. It was a


    move to boost development in the art sector.


    So, was this rted to Aether Corporation? Candice couldn’tprehend it fully, and before she


    could ponder more, Alex had already pushed open the meeting room door and entered. His face


    was stern, and his eyes swept coldly over Candice’s face.


    Indeed, the meeting’s topic was about artwork financialization, just as Ka had mentioned. Given


    Aether Corporation’s status as the financial elite in Dorrington City, it was bound to be


    affected.


    Alexid out the department’s set goals, then tapped the table, stating, “Aether Corporation’s goal


    has always been a new industrial chain. This is a good opportunity.”


    Sitting below, Candice’s eyes flickered slightly.


    He was right as this was indeed a remarkable opportunity.