Chapter 181
A suddenly booming dance beat drowned out Sieg’s words. Alex was close to him and the only one
who could clearly hear him.
He hesitated briefly but kept his tone nd, saying, “I had some matters to attend to.”
Sieg queried, “Is Director Reyes calling on you again? Odd, considering your mom’s distant
rtionship with her family, yet you’re closer to them. Also, isn’t your uncle visiting Dorrington
soon? I saw it in the news.”
Hisments drew the attention of those around who joked, “Keeping up with current events, huh,
Sieg?”
“Shut up! I’m more educated than you think.”
Sieg continued his yful banter.
One of the guys noticed Yana and loudly invited her, “Hey, Yana,e join us.”
In Dorrington’s elite circles, there were various social levels among the rich kids. Though everyone
was acquainted, they rarely mixed.
As that person greeted Yana, Sieg’s gang turned toward her.
They naturally noticed Candice and Hanley nearby. Their expressions were difficult to read in the
dim light.
Candice was steadying Yana. She softly proposed, “Let’s take you home to rest.”
Before they could leave, Sieg interjected, “Fate brings people together. Today’s my birthday. Ms.
Landor. Could you show some courtesy?”
Yana recalled herst encounter with Sieg and Alex in the bar, hesitating to jain them. She
remained silent but nced at Candice.
“Candice, since we know each other, you wouldn’t spoil my birthday, would you?” Sieg, noticing
Yana’s hesitation, addressed Candice directly.
His tone was mocking, not friendly.
Candice told Yana, “If you want to stay, feel free to do that. I’ll get a cab home.”
Yana hesitated, “If you go, why should I stay?”
Sieg scoffed disdainfully, “Do you understand the trouble you’ve caused at Alex’spany? Is
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flee from our sight.”
His statements were tinged with contempt.
Candice cast a nce at Alex, who had remained silent.
Ignoring Alex’s presence since their arrival, she was patient, but not without limits. Given Alex’s
actions, which seemed to cut all ties, she held nothing back.
She quickly shifted her gaze back to Sieg, and her tone was dripping with sarcasm.
“Every time you speak up for Alex, I suspect you’re secretly in love with him. You sound like a
disgruntled woman who is unable to get what she desires. You’re barking up the wrong tree seeing
as your love rival should be Sonia.”
“Also, you might want to share your feelings with Alex. Maybe then he’ll let you marry into his
family.”
Candice mocked him in one go, her biting words provoking muffledughter from Sieg’s friends.
Sieg’splexion turned pale. He red at Candice and challenged. “Say that one more time?”
Candice maintained her cool. Her chin was slightly elevated, projecting a confidence born of years
of storming the business world.
as frosty:
Her tone she mocked, “Hasn’t anyone ever told you how irritating you are?”
She had previously endured Sieg for Alex’s sake but now understood that her forbearance only
brought her pain while others were unaffected.
“Candice,” came a cool voice from the side.
The dimming lights obscured Alex’s expression, so she turned toward him.
Alex’s deep, chilling voice cut through the noise. “You’ve be quite bold.”
Hisment was devoid of much emotion, yet it made Candice involuntarily tighten her grip on
Yana’s hand.
Wincing from the pressure, Yana inhaled sharply and looked up at Candice, who responded in a
steady voice, “Is that so?”
Alex’s words had a mocking undertone. “Where did you get such courage? From the Baldwins, the
Shyans, or maybe your mother?”
A chill ran through Candice at his insinuation, particrly his use of Yvonne’s situation to taunt
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“Candice.” Hanley chimed in with his usual calm demeanor, interrupting the tense exchange. He
checked his phone and stated, “Ryan is wondering when we’ll return. He’s preparing our supper.
His intervention was clearly aimed at breaking up the conversation between Candice and Alex, and
as anticipated, Alex’s icy stare turned toward him.
Unperturbed, Hanley met Alex’s gaze with equalposure.
One was stern, the other calm.
Eventually, Hanley broke the stare. He wished Sieg a ‘happy birthday‘ before turning to Candice
and asking. “Shall we leave?”
Eager to depart, Candice was not one to relish in others‘ biting remarks.
After she agreed, Hanley did not cast another nce at the others. He gently grasped Candice’s
wrist and suggested, “Let’s go.”
Feeling his warm touch, Candice briefly hesitated but then silently followed Hanley.
She continued to aid Yana along the way.
Sieg’s face twisted in anger as he watched them leave, muttering curses.
His friends had had their fill of the drama. They tried to soothe him, “Forget about it, Sieg. Let’s
drink and have fun.”
Frustrated, Sieg snapped, “Get lost!”
Alex appeared outwardly normal. His gaze was dark and contemtive as he fixed it on Candice
and Hanley’s backs.
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Outside the bar, Hanley let go of Candice’s wrist. He gazed at her slender wrist and apologized,”
Sorry about that.”
Candice dismissed his concern and turned to Yana, asking. “Ms. Landor, do you want to head
home or somewhere else?”
Yana thought about their ns and asked, “Weren’t you two going to have supper?”
She looked at Hanley with a slight frown and said, “You’re not too petty to share your supper with
me, are you?”
Hanley briefly nced at her before agreeing, “Sure, whatever you like.”
After saying this, he went to fetch his car, leaving Candice and Yana waiting outside the bar.
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Candice stared into the bright streetlights, troubled by the earlier altercation with Sieg.
In contrast, Yana seemed unbothered. She paced in her high heels with ease, her love for them
rooted in her short stature.
“Tell me the truth,” she said after a few waltzing steps. “What’s the story with you and Alex?”
Candice took a breath and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Was he your sugar daddy?” Yana asked, blinking.