Chapter 196


    Francis appeared gentle, but his tone was extremely provocative.


    Candice looked at him, and despite her calm expression, her disdain was hard to miss.


    Francis seemed either oblivious or as though he didn’t care. He smiled and said, “If you have


    nowhere to go now, maybe I can take you in.”


    The department head had already left, leaving only Hanley’s group, Lisa, and Francis in the


    meeting room.


    Francis nced at Hanley with a somewhat arrogant attitude but turned back to Candice. “You can


    consider it. You can answer any time.” He paused before adding, “After all, as you know, I’ve


    always admired you.”


    The way he emphasized admired made the meaning ambiguous.


    The coldness in Candice’s eyes deepened, and she sneered. “Your admiration is something most


    people can’t afford.”


    Simply running into Francis had left Candice feeling annoyed. He had been her first superior at


    Aether, when Candice had been an inexperienced novice. Francis had portrayed himself as a


    knowledgeable senior, helping her with various tasks several times.


    Back then, Candice and Alex had both been busy, so she could not always turn to Alex for help.


    Francis had helped her, and his assistance had made her think highly of him. At the time, she even


    praised him to Alex.


    Her good opinion of him hadsted until a certain business trip, when Francis had snuck into her


    roomte at night.


    It had made Candice realize that his so–called kindness to neers really was just a superficial


    ploy. The intentional and unintentional touches that Candice had not paid attention to before had


    suddenly disgusted her.


    Despite warning him, Francis not only failed to restrain himself but intensified his inappropriate


    behavior.


    Fortunately, on one asion, Alex happened toe and pick her up, catching Francis in the act.


    After that incident, he finally stopped his advances. However, from then on, he began making things


    difficult for Candice, assigning her various troublesome clients under the pretext of ” building her


    skills.”


    +15 BONOS


    In reality, Candice had overheard him speaking with a department head, saying. “So what if she has


    a connection with Mr. Elysian? After being yed around, I doubt Mr. Elysian would still want her.


    She’s just a cheap woman pretending to be high and mighty.”


    Later on, Candice had unintentionally witnessed Francis using the same approach on new interns.


    Some left, and some stayed, and the detalls were unclear.


    Eventually, Candice was transferred to another department, and Francis was dismissed due to his


    known misconduct. She thought she would never see him again in her life.


    “Candice, me fancying you is apliment.” Francis pushed up his sses, and his face lost a


    bit of its warmth.


    “Mr. Moreno, is it appropriate for you to poach people in front of me?” Before Candice could speak,


    Hanley spoke first. His handsome face exuded a cold demeanor, and the aggression in his eyes


    was quite strong.


    Francis, hiding behind his sses, nced at Hanley, then looked at Candice, a malicious smile


    ying on his lips.


    Candice hated his demeanor. It was nauseating.


    She stood up and asked Hanley, “Do you have any more matters to attend toter?”


    Hanley understood that she did not want to stay any longer and also stood up. “When I get back, I


    need to check on some documents.”


    He would not easily let go of this opportunity. The coboration was crucial for him.


    Hanley’s gaze darkened. Once outside the meeting room, he asked Candice, “Do you have


    something else to doter?”


    Candice wanted to see Yvonne off. If Yvonne stayed in Dorrington for another day, there was no


    knowing what trouble she might cause.


    “I’ll be taking my mom back to Noxvilleter.”


    Hanley nodded, then extended his hand towards her. “Give me the car keys.”


    Candice was momentarily stunned. Hanley nced at her wrist and said calmly. “You should rest,


    since your injury is so severe.”


    Feeling a bit uneasy, Candice involuntarily pulled back her hand. Hanley had noticed her injured


    hand when she arrived.


    a was the


    She lowered her gaze. only one who had discovered her injury.


    +15 BONOS


    Hanley took charge of driving for Candice, handing his car keys to Ryan. Nadia approached,


    looking at Candice with a hesitant expression, as if wanting to say something but holding back.


    Candice paused. “What’s wrong?”


    “Nothing, just curious if you have some conflict with Mr. Moreno.” Nadia scratched her head. “It


    seems like the first time I’ve seen you dislike someone so much.”


    Candice’s expression changed. “Francis Moreno used to work at Aether.”


    Nadia blinked, about to say something, but was called away by Ryan. They had walked quite a


    distance, when Candice heard Ryan’s voice. “Why are you being so nosy?”


    “I’m not being nosy, just curious…”


    Candice knew that her attitude towards Francis had been sharp, and his words intriguing to


    bystanders.


    As they drove, she had been waiting for Hanley to speak, but by the time they reached Yvonne’s


    hotel, Hanley still had not said anything.


    “What’s wrong?” After the car stopped, Hanley suddenly turned around, looking at Candice.” You’ve


    been staring at me. Is there something on my face?”


    Hanley leaned in suddenly, catching Candice off guard. She subtly distanced herself. “No.”


    “What are you thinking about then?” Hanley pressed.


    “Aren’t you curious about the situation between me and Francis Moreno?” Francis‘ words in the


    meeting room had been cryptic and had piqued the curiosity of even Nadia.


    Hanley raised an eyebrow. “What’s there to be curious about? He doesn’t seem like a good person.


    Candice did not expect Hanley to say this. “How could you tell?”


    Hanley remained silent, nced outside, and said in a slightly serious tone. “I’m going to buy


    something.”


    With that, he left the car.


    It was pouring cats and dogs in Dorrington.


    Candice stayed in the car for a while before getting out and going into the hotel. She forcefully


    brought Yvonne out.


    ) 418 BONOS


    Yvonne’s expression was not good, but Candice told her. “If you don’t return to Noxville now, don’t


    expect a single penny from me.” Yvonne was persistent, but Candice could use the threat to keep


    her at bay.


    As soon as Yvonne heard this, the resistance on her face immediately lessened, and she looked at


    Candice timidly.


    Hanley had already returned with the purchased items. Seeing Yvonne, he did not say much and


    just handed a box to Candice. “Pain–relief ointment, just bought it. Put some on now,”


    Due to the rain, Candice could only buy the nearest high–speed train ticket for Yvonne to return to


    Noxville. Afraid that Yvonne might refuse to leave, she even bought an extra ticket. She escorted


    Yvonne through security and watched her board the high–speed train before feeling sure the matter


    was settled.


    When Candice came out, Hanley was waiting for her outside.


    Seeing the fatigue on her face, he said softly, “Have you had lunch?”


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    He knew Candice had rushed over from the hospital. The time had been tight.


    After a brief thought, he suggested, “Let me take you to a ce for lunch. You should like it.” Before


    she could reply, Candice’s phone let out a message notification.