Chapter 0314
Alex''s response was even-toned and devoid of emotion, but Candice''s concern was apparent.
She knotted her brow as she stared at him. Her voice wasden with seriousness as she pressed
him for an exnation, "What exactly are you suggesting?"
"It''s nothing. I''m just making a reasonable deduction from what you''ve said. You and I were the only
ones who came into contact with that document," Alex replied coldly. "And you were the one who
had unsupervised ess to it."
He gave a derisive snort and questioned, "Doesn''t that raise questions that you might be a
suspect?"
Candice now grasped the real reason Alex had invited her over to Shawn''s—not for a leisurely
catch-up but to interrogate her about the matter.
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She maintained herposure and stared at him with clear, bright eyes. Her voice was firm as she
spoke out, "As I''ve mentioned earlier, I have no reason to sabotage myself."
Alex chuckled gently. He didn''t affirm or deny his belief in Candice''s statements as he got out of the
car.
Shawn had been eagerly awaiting their arrival inside. He immediately directed Bruno to prepare
dinner as soon as they arrived.
Candice found herself casually chatting with Shawn on the couch while Alex appeared to have
walked off.
"Candy, have you thought about your future workwise?" Shawn took the opportunity and abruptly
asked. "I know you''ve been involved with one of the Baldwins in the art projects, but that field can
be vtile. What are your ns?"
Candice blinked and replied seriously, "My studio intends to look into the business side of things as
well. It seemed promising."
She saw no reason to deceive Shawn with her n.
Shawn''s look indicated concern.
His brow slightly furrowed and pressed further, "Have you absolutely ruled out returning to Alex''s
company? They''ve recently encountered some difficulties and challenges that weren''t present
during your tenure. You haven''t been gone long, yet these issues have arisen."
Caught off guard by the mention of Aether Corporation, Candice took a moment before responding,
"Ups and downs are normal in business."
Shawn was still hopeful. He probed, "If there''s a possibility for your return to Aether Corporation—"
Such a hypothesis seemed far-fetched to Candice, who interrupted, "Aether Corporation isn''t
lacking in secretaries."
As Shawn seemed poised to continue, Alex interjected from somewhere in the background, "No
matter what problems mypany faces, those aren''t things a secretary can resolve."
Stepping out of the study, the chill hadn''t quite left Alex''s expression, and he spoke in a somber
tone.
Candice appeared unaffected while Shawn''s frustration was evident. He pointed toward Alex, as if
about to reprimand him. Eventually, words failed him.
He rushed off, frustrated, and eximed, "Having you here is just asking for trouble!"
With a note of resignation, Alex acknowledged, "Mypany is facing a lot of ongoing challenges."
Shawn seemed uninterested in extending the chat. He stood up and left the room, leaving Candice
and Alex to themselves.
Alex sat down across from her. His exhaustion was visible in the dark circles beneath his eyes,
indicating that he hadn''t slept properly in days.
Hey back on the couch, closing his eyes in an attempt to rx, though his persistent furrowed
brow indicated that rest was beyond his reach.
The ringing of his phone on the coffee table interrupted his brief rest. It prompted him to open his
eyes. His face instantly lost its tired expression.
Candice watched as Alex''s demeanor rapidly changed. She quietly observed, her gaze lowered, as
he handled the situation withposure.
After concluding the call, Candice spoke up in a steady voice, "Is the partnership with Quintons that
critical to thepany?"
Alex was still affected by the recent briefing from Sawyer and felt downcast. He responded with a
question, "Weren''t you involved in the Quintons project? Do you not recognize its importance?"
"I wasn''t involved in that," Candice pointed out. "That was Sawyer''s responsibility."
Her role had been vast, epassing a variety of tasks in her formerpany. When the potential
partnership with Quintons was in its initial stages, Alex had Sawyer delegate his responsibilities to
Candice and take over the Quinton Holding project.
The reason being? Primarily due to Solomon''s dubious reputation in the industry.
Aether Corporation wasmitted to ensuring its employees'' welfare. Therefore, Alex intentionally
assigned a male team to supervise the project.
Reflecting upon Shawn''s earlier expressions of concern for Aether Corporation, Candice couldn''t
help but mention, "I''ve previously seen Sonia and Xavier together. Believe it or not, there''s more to
their rtionship."
With that, Candice left the matter in Alex''s hands after issuing her caution.
A flicker of emotion passed through Alex''s eyes. He paused briefly before asking quietly, "Xavier
Green?"
"There''s no need for me to go into who Xavier is, you''re well aware of his character as well,"
Candice expressed, her scorn for Xavier evident in her gaze.
As Alex echoed Xavier''s name, his face took on a more serious cast, a subtle coolness hiding
beneath his furrowed brows.
Candice was reluctant to discuss Xavier too much, finding him distasteful.
During the time when Horizon Holdings and Aether Corporation werepeting neck and neck,
despite Horizon''s sometimes dubious methods, Aether Corporation was initially willing to explore a
partnership due to their unstable ground.
Candice was already working as Chief Secretary. During those business conversations, she had
encountered Xavier, who was then a junior-level manager.
Xavier was a master of disguise, leading Candice to initially view him positively. Her opinion had
drastically changed after Xavier had tried to tamper with her drink and secretly ced a camera…
That was the final straw for Aether Corporation, dering they''d never work with apany like
Horizon Holdings.
Needing to return after dining at Shawn''s, Alex was tasked with driving Candice.
Despite her protests that it was unnecessary, Shawn insisted on it.
Candice had intended for Alex to drive her directly to her vi, but halfway there, a call about a crisis
at the business cut them off.
"Mr. Elysian, it''s serious. The stock is plummeting, and we''ve had calls from two partners looking to
end their agreements."
Hearing this, Candice suggested, "I can find my own way home. You can drop me off here."
But Alex, as if he hadn''t heard her, continued directly to the front of Aether Corporation.
Candice scowled, considering hailing a cab.
But given thete hour and Aether Corporation''s isted location in the science park, finding a taxi
was nearly impossible.
He then seemed to remember Candice''s presence, speaking in a tone that was both soothing and
firm, "I''ll drive you home once I''ve dealt with this."
His eyes still held a trace of coolness, yet the streetlight might have lent a warmer hue to soften his
gaze.
Alex''s natural charm was undeniable. His gentle, attentive gaze could captivate, drawing one in
despite the risks, like an alluring abyss.
Candice shifted her gaze away. She squeezed her lips together in a brief silence before deciding to
apany Alex into his office.