Chapter 0311
Everything was far from good with Sonia. Her chest was marked with bruises that vividly illustrated
the ordeal of the previous night, stimting imaginations with their bluish-purple hues.
The room was heavy with a lingering, musky odor, making Sonia feel sick to her stomach.
"What''s wrong?"
Xavier''s deep and scratchy voice filled the air as he extended an arm from under the covers to draw
Sonia closer by the waist.
Sonia shuddered. She forcefully pped away Xavier''s hand, her expression one of revulsion. The
events of thest night haunted her, each memory amplifying her dread and remorse.
Following her ejection from the Morningdale Resort the previous evening, Sonia had gone to a
downtown bar to drown her sorrows with booze.
At first, she had kept her drinking in check, but as the evening went on, she found herself drinking
excessively. At some point, she had called Xavier to join her.
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What followed was a series of blurred moments, with only fragmentary recollections of Xavier''s
attempts to console her.
Herst vivid memory was being carried into a hotel by Xavier.
"Sonia, are you alright? Are you feeling ill?" The man''s loud, raspy voice echoed alongside her.
Xavier propped himself up. His gaze was soft with concern, and he said, "I wasn''t aware it was your
first time. I''m sorry. I got carried awayst night.
"Shut up!" Sonia interjected sharply before he could finish.
Herplexion was pale, and panic filled her eyes. She pulled off the covers as she attempted to
escape the confines of the bed.
However, her legs failed her as soon as they struck the ground, sending her plummeting to the floor.
Her naked body testified silently to the previous night''s entanglements.
Facing Xavier, Sonia used him in disbelief, "How could you do this?! You…you raped me!"
Her voice trailed off as her reality crumbled back into ce. A tidal wave of emotions engulfed her
as she questioned, "How could you do this to me?!"
After Xavier''s initial shock subsided, he softened his smile and asked, "What are you talking about?
Remember how passionate you werest night? You were the one who clung to me."
His stare remained harmless, but it veiled a cold malice that chilled Sonia to the bone.
"I''ve got a video that proves it, Sonia. You can''t deny it now."
Upon her return to the vi, Candice trod softly. She felt wide awake after spending the night in
Alex''s car, which led her to dive straight into work in the study.
The following morning, Nadia was taken aback by Candice''s presence. She asked, "When did you
arrive?"
Candice deftly avoided answering. She shifted the conversation and asked, "What''s on the agenda
for today?"
"The agenda is pretty much the same, though I heard from the boss that you might be assigned to a
business trip soon."
Nadia was still sleepy. Her voice slurred somewhat as she continued, "It''s probably Sris. Since
we''re understaffed at the Dorrington office, it seems like you and the boss will be the ones to go."
Candice didn''t worry about where the work trip would take her.
After a brief conversation with Nadia, she went to have breakfast.
The family portrait taken at Shawn''s was processed quickly. He texted Candice a few photos just as
shepleted her meal.
Viewing the photos evoked aplex mix of emotions in Candice.
In the photo, five individuals were present. Shawn was seated in the middle, with Daniel and Helen
standing close, and Candice and Alex positioned next to each other.
Her gown and Alex''s iris brooch seemed to harmonize unexpectedly because of the photo''s warm
tones.
Candice''s attention was drawn to Alex. She noted how the lighting mellowed his usually sharp
features, casting his intense, dark eyes in a softer light. It reminded her of lustrous ck pearls,
both profound and tranquil.
Alex always looked his best in dark suits, for theyplimented his fair skin. The aura of refined
aloofness about him gave him the appeal of being admirably beyond reach.
Next to him, Candice''s appearance was equally elegant, mirroring hisposed attitude.
Had Candice received this photo previously, she would have cherished it. Now, however, she
merely took a brief look before closing the viewer.
Immediately after, Shawn called, "Candy, did you get a chance to see the photos?"
"Yes, they''re quite lovely," Candice responded.
Shawn was clearly pleased. He remarked, "I''m d you like them. They really came out well, didn''t
they? I''ll have prints made and sent to you."
Candice rejected, "That''s really not necessary."
Given that it was a portrait of the Elysian family, she felt somewhat ufortable keeping it.
Following a brief pause, Shawn''s voice dropped slightly in disappointment as he asked, "You don''t
even want our photo together?"
She gave it some thought, then bit her lip and said softly, "Let me know when they''re printed. I''ll
come and collect them."
This response seemed to lift Shawn''s spirits. They chatted briefly before ending the call.
Candice didn''t dwell on it. She then proceeded to review the day''s agenda with Ryan and the
others.
On Candice''s side, everything was proceeding smoothly, whereas Sonia was overwhelmed with
unease.
d in a turtleneck and long sleeves, she remained in the car, reluctant to step outside.
In a considerate move, Xavier leaned over to unfasten her seatbelt. He asked, "What''s the matter?"
Sonia gritted her teeth. She gathered enough bravery to express the decision that had been
weighing on her throughout the voyage.
"Xavier, we shouldn''t see each other anymore." She spoke, her voice cracking. "Can we agree to
forget what happenedst night?"
Xavier froze. His expression was as calm andpassionate as ever as he asked, "What
nonsense are you speaking? I took away your virginity. Naturally, I will ept responsibility."
"I don''t need you to be responsible for me! I have a boyfriend, and that''s Alex!"
Sonia had once admired Xavier''s gentle tone, but now, she only felt repulsion and fear.
Xavier''s brows furrowed as he let out a sigh. He stressed, "Sonia, you must understand that I have
genuine feelings for you."
Without hesitation, Sonia shrieked, "I don''t share your feelings! Please leave me alone!"
There was a brief sh of iciness in Xavier''s gaze, though it quickly disappeared.
Then, the car was suddenly filled with the sound of a woman''s pleading voice, "Don''t go, please
stay."
Apanied by suggestive panting, the situation was clear without needing further exnation.
Sonia''s body tensed up as she questioned Xavier, rmed, "What are you trying to do?!"
With a light chuckle, Xavier responded, "I n to do nothing. Since you''d likest night erased, I''ll
delete the video."
Sonia brightened up and asked, "For real?"
Xavier confirmed it with a nod. He added a condition in a tender voice, "However, Sonia, I need you
to do something for me. I''m after a document Alex has."
Just as Sonia was about toply, a realization struck her. Shocked, she confronted Xavier,
"You''re asking me to steal confidential information from Aether Corporation for you?"
"If you get me that document, I''ll erase the video. Agreed?"
As he spoke, Xavier leaned forward to nt a kiss on Sonia''s lips. He whispered gently, "You
always know how to follow directions, Sonia."