Chapter 305


    Xavier saw the searing animosity in Sonia''s eyes, but he chose not to react. Instead, he feigned


    ignorance and asked, "What''s wrong? Why do you look so upset all of a sudden?" He gently


    checked Sonia''s forehead and asked, "Do you have a fever again?"


    The close encounter, coupled with the warm scent of cologne from Xavier, engulfed Sonia.


    She stared at Xavier in bewilderment before acting tough. She shook her head and insisted, "I''m all


    right."


    Xavier''s worry deepened. He naturally cradled Sonia in his arms and spoke softly to reassure her.


    "Silly girl, you know you can confide in me if anything''s troubling you, can''t you?"


    Sonia''s hold on her phone tightened as she became aware of her surroundings, filled with the


    unfamiliar scent of Xavier. Her initial impulse was to push Xavier away, but he grasped her tightly.


    After resisting for a minute, Sonia chose to find sce in his arms and began to weep softly.


    -


    Upon her departure from Aether Corporation, Candice headed directly to the vi. The vi was


    quiet, with only Yana present, as everyone else had braved the rain to continue work at the


    construction site.


    Candice greeted Yana and nned to retreat to the study to catch up on work. Afterward, she made


    her way to the study to tackle the fresh assignments that Jessica had given her the previous night.


    Yana was engaged in a video game on the sofa. She looked up and asked Candice, "Which hotel


    did you end up staying atst night?"


    Dumbfounded, her heart pounded furiously with that question. "What?"


    "Hanley mentioned the rain was too severe for you to head home, so you stayed at a hotel? I was


    hoping to chat with youst night," Yana said, puzzled. "What''s wrong? Weren''t you at the hotelst


    night?"


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    Candice maintained herposure, responding smoothly, "Yes, I stayed at a hotel."


    Acknowledging with a simple, "Oh," Yana returned to her game, and Candice proceeded to the


    study.


    -


    Later, as Candice emerged from her work-focused solitude, the downpour had subsided to a gentle


    drizzle. Hanley and the rest had just returned, and Yana had arranged for avish spread of


    takeout.


    "What''s the asion?" Ryan asked upon seeing the feast.


    "It''s Hanley''s birthday," Yana answered nonchntly.


    Candice paused. She noticed that Hanley hadpletely omitted to mention the fact.


    "What''s wrong?" Yana asked, noticing Candice''s sudden change in demeanor.


    Candice frowned, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I had no idea that his birthday was today. I don’t have


    a gift for him."


    "Geez! Don''t worry about it," Yana reassured her with a chuckle. "Hanley doesn''t really make a big


    deal about his birthday. Just think of it as enjoying a special meal together."


    Ryan caught on and soothed, "Honestly, our boss rarely makes a fuss about his birthday, which is


    probably why it slipped all of our minds."


    The conversation hinted at a deeper reason behind Hanley''s indifference toward his birthday


    celebrations, but before Candice could delve deeper, Hanley made his entrance.


    When he saw the feast spread out on the dining table, he cocked an eyebrow. "Why all the


    extravagance?"


    "See?" Yana nudged Candice with a resigned expression.


    "It''s your birthday, Boss," Ryan chimed in, trying to jog his memory.


    Hanley lifted his eyes and appeared disinterested.


    Their dinner proceeded much like any other day, with design discussions between Ryan and Hanley


    and with Nadia sometimes adding in. Candice silently savored her meal until Nadia called her.


    "What is it?" Candice asked, looking up.


    Nadia smiled and continued, "We were all agreeing that you''d be the perfect candidate for the


    uing summit slot. I''ve been meaning to discuss it with you but got busy. If you intend to work in


    this industry for a long time, you must have the right kind of expertise. Anyway, this is a fantastic


    opportunity for you."


    Candice was taken aback by the resurgence of the topic, but after a brief contemtion, she didn''t


    dismiss the idea. "Attending would indeed be beneficial."


    "As long as you''re up for it, the spot is yours," Ryan said.


    Candice didn''t respond. The problems that had arisen between Yvonne and Sonia had not yet been


    resolved.


    The conversation moved on from there.


    As the dinner wrapped up, Candice got up, intending to return to her work. Hanley called out to her.


    She looked back to find Hanley watching her with a mix of concern and firmness. "There''s no need


    to overdo it. I don''t run a sweatshop here," he teased.


    Candice froze before she realized Hanley''s point. She momentarily hesitated before responding


    with a jest, "My apologies for potentially sullying the reputation of such a considerate boss."


    Her tone was one of yfulness.


    Hanley smiled. "Why not enjoy a walk?” he suggested. “The rain''s let up, and the air is refreshing


    outside."


    The vi area had efficient drainage. The pathways were mostly dry, aside from the muddywn.


    Candice''s tiredness dissipated as she inhaled fresh air. She turned to Hanley. "Happy birthday."


    Curious, Hanley asked, "Was it Yana who mentioned it?"


    "I didn''t know it was your birthday,” Candice exined, “so I didn''t get to buy you anything."


    "It''s all right. It''s been years since Ist celebrated my birthday," Hanley replied with a serene tone,


    showing no emotion.


    Candice gave it some thought and decided to make a mary gift to Hanley over the phone. “Take


    a look at your WhatsApp," she prompted.


    Noticing the amount of one thousand, eight-hundred, and eighty-eight dors sent to him, Hanley


    raised his brows. "What''s this for?"


    "If I can''t get you a gift, at least you should get some money. Birthdays should always be


    celebrated," Candice added, her gaze drawn to a distant streetmp. She continued to speak softly,


    "It''s something that my grandpa taught me."


    After taking a moment, Hanley decided to ept the transaction. His usually stoic expression


    softened slightly and sparked with a slight warmth.


    He had never told Candice that after his seventeenth birthday, celebrations for him had ceased. The


    only person who had remembered his birthday forgot, and he had lost interest in the asion


    altogether as a result.


    -


    Later, Candice devoted extra hours to amending Jessica''s project.


    She also made another visit to the prison with Jackson. This time, speak with Ivor, not Yvonne.


    Ivor bore a visible injury on his forehead. It apparently stemmed from a dispute with a guard over


    his refusal to cooperate with the interrogation.


    Seeing Candice, Ivor''s gaze turned sharply hostile. "Why are you here?"


    Candice tapped the table and went straight to the point. She asked, "Are you aware of Sonia''s visit


    to Yvonne?"


    "Of course," Ivor retorted with a sneer, a spark of shrewdness glistening in his eyes. "I was sure


    you''de asking about this. That fool is still defending that bitch, isn''t she?"


    Candice''s expression hardened. "So you did know."


    Ivor had visibly lost weight since his recent imprisonment, but his demeanor of a petty thug had


    grown more pronounced. He seemed to have epted his situation with a defiant resignation. His


    devious eyes scanned Candice. "I know what you''re after. I even have proof. Interested?"