Chapter 218


    Francis had a grasp on this, firmly believing tha willing to let go of their own dignity.


    someone as arrogant as Candice would be least


    He couldn’t help but sound smug. “Of course, if you want to verify, I have a few more here that you


    can take a look at.”


    It was a tant threat. Candice gazed at Francis’s hypocritical face, unable to hide her disgust. Her


    hand, ced under the table, clenched into a fist, but she managed to ask with someposure.


    “So, it was you who took those false pictures?”


    A flicker crossed Francis’s brow. He leisurely poured himself a drink and pushed it toward Candice.


    “Does it really matter if it’s true or not? Nowadays, who cares about the truth?”


    “What do you want, then?”


    He took off his sses, grinning at her. He attempted to reach for her hand again. “Why bother?


    You know that since Aether Corporation, I’ve valued you. Now that Alex doesn’t want you, do you


    think you’ll fare well in this circle? If even I’m left without a way out, how much better could you be


    doingpared to me? And I’ve heard about your unpleasantness with him…”


    “Come with me instead. I can still get you into Webrews Group.”


    Seeing his hand inching closer, Candice instantly retracted hers and briskly stood up. She looked


    down at Francis. “You’re right. Nobody cares about the truth.”


    He gazed at her, admiringly saying, “You’re a smart woman.”


    However, in the next moment, Candice’s tone shifted. “But not everyone is foolish.”


    She raised her phone slightly, sneeringly reminding him. “Your confession is quiteprehensive.


    Realizing what was going on, Francis‘ previously rxed smile froze on his face. “You recorded it?


    Candice nced at her phone, lightly mocking. “You’re still as despicable and foolish as ever.”


    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    His face turned dark and grim. He locked his malicious gaze onto her and gritted his teeth. “A


    woman like you who’s been yed around by Alex still has the audacity to pretend?”


    As the venomous and unpleasant words spilled from his mouth, Candice merely looked at him as


    if he was trash.


    Her calm and reserved demeanor seemed to create a misconception in others‘ minds. They thought


    she stood tall, unable to set aside her pride, hence they could easilye to her for


    favors.


    They probably forgot that she had climbed to the position of Aether Corporation’s chief secretary


    within a mere two years, never relying on this so–called pride or dignity.


    Societal norms, deception, and maniptions–was there anything she couldn’t see through?


    She lowered her gaze to her phone, saved the recent recording, and then uploaded it to the cloud


    before speaking faintly, “Francis, you were so toxic at Aether Corporation, and you won’t change at


    Webrews Group. Do you think you can do as you please with just those two pictures? You truly


    surprise me with your stupidity.”


    After saying this, Candice turned to leave. Yet, as she reached for the doorknob, behind her, a hint


    of ferocity and resentment suddenly erupted from Francis’s ashen face.


    “Candice, who do you think you are?! You’re nothing but a seducer who climbed up using Alex,


    aren’t you? You’re just a worn–out shoe now!”


    As her hand touched the door, she paused and looked back at him. Her gaze was somewhat dark.


    Francis was startled by her look but quickly regainedposure, lifting his chin. “Just you wait!


    There wille a day when you’lle begging to me!”


    He knew she was only mingling with Hanley for that exhibition.


    Candice didn’t want to waste any more time. Besides, whatever Francis intended to show her, she


    had already seen it. Though it was repulsive, she had to take it step by step.


    Truthfully, when she saw the photos, she wasn’t asposed as she appeared. However, she


    couldn’t afford to reveal any weaknesses in front of him. He was a sly and malicious person; if he


    caught even a hint of her slipping up, it would put her in a dangerous position,


    As she descended the stairs, Lisa had already left.


    Recalling Lisa’s earlier advice, Candice pursed her lips, and herplexion turned dark.


    “Sieg, what’s going on between you and Alex? Heard you two had an unpleasant altercation at


    Jonathan’s ce?” Just as she was about to leave, several people came in, led by the sullen-


    faced Sieg.


    Already in a bad mood, Sieg’s expression turned colder upon seeing Candice.


    His sharp gaze pierced through her without answering the person’s question.


    She naturally felt his scrutiny but didn’t pay it any mind as she continued to leave.


    Even after she left, the coldness didn’t leave Sleg’s face.


    Someone beside him asked. “Was that Candice just now?”


    Sieg muttered under his breath and then, with a grimace, said, “This is an unlucky ce. Let’s


    change the venue.”


    Before long, a voice came from behind, “Mr. Frowler!”


    Candice went straight to the northern part of the city. She didn’t disclose Francis’s affair to others.


    Instead, she analyzed the data she retrieved from Hanley and marked a fewpanies that


    seemed easy to approach.


    The next morning, armed with the marked data, Candice met up with Hanley. They arranged to


    meet the head of a rtively small–scale newpany.


    Although the other party hesitated a bit, their attitude was much betterpared to both Webrews


    Group and a few other establishedpanies.


    The following meeting with anotherpany was almost simr.


    ncing at the list in her hand, Candice said, “The remaining few are basically interconnected. It’s


    hard for them to break away individually. Also, considering Francis’s need to perform, this


    coboration should be taken seriously.”


    “So, the main issue now remains with Webrews Group,” she analyzed.


    She had considered directly targeting Francis’s misconduct, but the risks were too high, and they


    could easily get embroiled themselves.


    Hanley’s expression darkened slightly. His jawline tensed, giving him a serious demeanor.


    This exhibition in Dorrington City was crucial for their domestic reputation, and it could potentially


    open up future opportunities.


    He furrowed his brows slightly. “I’ll think of something.”


    “There’s actually another way.” Candice spoke softly after a brief silence. “We can directly approach


    Aether Corporation.”


    “Much of Francis’s arrogance stems from their association with Aether Corporation, which belongs


    to the Elysian family.”


    “If we directly sever Aether Corporation’s connection with Webrew Group-”


    +15 BONOS


    Before she could finish her sentence, Hanley interrupted. His dark eyes fixed on her. “Are we going


    to approach Aether Corporation or Alex?”


    She paused for a while before saying. “There doesn’t seem to be much difference.”


    “It makes a huge difference.” His eyes held a hint of resignation. He seemed to sigh softly. “I’ll


    handle this matter. You don’t need to get involved.”


    Candice lowered her eyshes and softly acknowledged, “Understood.”


    Meanwhile, in Aether Corporation’s office.


    Alex’s dark pupils revealed no emotions as he stared at the message that had just been sent to his


    phone. His expression was inscrutable.