Chapter 0310


    Before Sonia could say anything, Shawn''s outraged voice interrupted them again.


    He issued a stern warning, "Alex, shall I call security to escort her out?"


    Caught off guard, the coldness in Alex''s gaze dissipated. In a frosty tone, he announced, "I''ll make


    arrangements for your ride home."


    He walked away without waiting for Sonia''s consent.


    Shawn had raised him, and Alex valued his grandfather more than anyone else in their family.


    However, Sonia''sments had tantly revealed that she had failed toprehend the


    importance of his grandfather in Alex''s heart.


    As soon as Alex walked away, Sonia realized the serious implications of her angryments. Her


    face grew pale at that.


    She had not intended it that way. Overwhelmed by the situation, she had blurted those words out


    without thinking.


    Helen and Daniel appeared one after the other before she could exin herself.


    "Where''s the security? Let''s have those who don''t belong here removed," Helenmanded


    nonchntly.


    An adjacent hall with a sizable decorative screen was the intended location for the family photo.


    The atmosphere was tense when Candice returned from a call.


    Alex remained stoic on the couch while Shawn sat with a serious demeanor at the head.


    Silence hung heavy as neither Helen nor Daniel spoke, their faces etched with displeasure.


    Helen''s mocking snort at the sight of Candice only heightened the tension.


    Candice entered, pausing briefly.


    With a stern look, Shawn leaned on his cane and firmly told Alex, "Make sure you deal with this


    quickly, or I''ll show no mercy. Just because I''m old doesn''t mean I can''t handle you!"


    Helen sat down slowly and taunted with a sarcastic tone, "No point in trying to fix things now. The


    damage to our reputation has been done. It''s typical of those of humble origins, always striving to


    get above their social standing without realizing their true worth."


    "Silence!" Shawn sharply rebuked, his gaze cutting toward Helen and efficiently muting her.


    Despite her initial hesitancy, Helen decided to hold her tongue. However, her scornful look directed


    at Candice clearly indicated she meant those words for her.


    Stepping further into the hall, Candice softly suggested, "Shawn, you still have photos to take.


    Anger won''t look good on them."


    Shawn''s gaze softened as he looked at her. There was a mix of emotions in his eyes. He eventually


    sighed and said, "Fine, I''ll listen to you."


    As the Elysian family and Candice assembled for their group photo, Sonia, who was expected to


    have left, lingered in a distant corridor, casting resentful looks their way.


    Observing Shawn guide Alex to position himself next to Candice, she could not help but notice the


    familial warmth and unity.


    Clenching her fists tightly, Sonia''s frustration grew, leading her to leave the scene quietly.


    The photo session concluded promptly.


    Candice was prepared to go as soon as the session wrapped up.


    Shawn was hesitant to part ways. He expressed a desire for her to remain longer.


    Candice waspelled toe up with an excuse, so she said, "I have an online meeting


    scheduled for tonight, but I promise to return for another visit soon."


    Understanding yet disappointed, he acknowledged her decision with a wave of his hand. He then


    cautioned Alex, It''ste. Make sure to take Candy home safely. I don''t feel good about her traveling


    alone."


    Candice countered, "I''m alright, I came with Jackson."


    "Jackson resides in the city, which is out of your way," Shawn responded with a scowl. "And he''s


    had a bit to drink."


    Candice knew that Jackson hade to offer a toast in honor of Shawn. Contrarily, Alex had


    remained sober throughout.


    In Shawn''spany, Alex always acted more respectfully. He turned to Candice and spoke in a


    calm and detached tone, "I''ll take you home so that the old man doesn''t worry."


    After a moment of hesitation, Candice nodded in agreement as she saw that Shawn was going to


    insist even further.


    Despite not consuming alcohol himself, Alex carried the faint scent of mingling guests.


    Once in the vehicle, Candice soughtfort in the fresh air from an open window, leaning back to


    rest with her eyes closed.


    Candice''s brow furrowed slightly as she detected a faint odor of alcohol around her.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    "Wharf Street?" Alex asked, his tonecking warmth.


    Hanley lived on Wharf Street, and Candice had been staying there recently.


    Acknowledging softly, she added a courteous, "Thank you."


    Alex''s response came with a light scoff, his hands stationary on the wheel. He then remarked, with


    a self-deprecating undercurrent, "Escorting my ex-secretary to her current employer''s ce, you


    won''t find another boss as generous as me."


    At the conclusion, his voice had a slightly sarcastic tone.


    Candice responded with a blink and a gentle retort, "You didn''t have to take me."


    Alex retorted with a hint of sarcasm, "Oh, so I could give you another chance to y the victim with


    Shawn?"


    Candice didn''t want to have a needless dispute with Alex. She simply rolled up the window, leaned


    her head against it, and closed her eyes, seeking sce in the silence.


    On top of being exhausted following a long day at work, she was further drained by attending


    Shawn''s party in the evening.


    The scent of alcohol surrounding Alex may have contributed to Candice''s quickly feeling sleepy


    after closing her eyes. She sumbed to a deep sleep, undisturbed by dreams, in the quiet and


    steady motion of the car.


    Upon waking, Candice realized they had arrived at the vi.


    She massaged her forehead, feeling a slight difort, and took a moment to collect her thoughts.


    The prolonged stillness had left one side of her body numb.


    Dawn was breaking outside, although the inside of the vehicle was pitch ck.


    Squinting, she examined her phone and was surprised to see that it was already 4 a.m.


    After a quick stretch, she made a move to exit the car.


    Alex''s deep voice broke the silence, somewhat usingly, "What? Now you''re going to pretend I


    don''t exist?"


    Candice paused and turned to Alex, whose features were obscured by the car''s shadows, making


    his expression hard to read. She could barely make out his features in the dim early light.


    It was uncertain if Alex had been up all night or had only recently awoken, but his voice was notably


    rough, "You''ve been asleep here all night, and you’re just going to leave without a word?"


    "You had the option to wake me," Candice countered.


    Alex''s voice, which was already thick and deeper given the quiet setting, had a tinge of sexiness.


    He challenged, "So, is this somehow my fault? You truly know how to turn things around."


    After a little pause, Candice said softly, "I should go now."


    Alex remained silent, his attention shifting between the brightening sky and his phone, which had


    run out of battery, before setting off toward the office.


    Simultaneously, in a downtown hotel.


    Sonia jolted awake, feeling an oppressive heaviness in her chest and struggling to breathe. Her


    head was throbbing, and the air wasden with the smell of alcohol and a distinctive, musky aroma.


    In a daze, she slowly opened her eyes wider and couldn''t help but turn to peer at the man beside


    her.


    The man bore marks of the previous night''s fervor, with scratches across his back and numerous


    red marks on his neck. A testament to the intensive encounter the night before.