Chapter 0318


    Shawn''s directness caught Candice somewhat by surprise. However, she only paused for a


    moment before gently saying, "The matter between Alex and I is all in the past."


    Hearing this, Shawn couldn''t help but sigh, and the disappointment in his eyes was evident.


    However, he didn''t say anything more. During dinner, his mood was not great, and he barely


    touched his food.


    Candice didn''t know what to say; she couldn''t pretend that nothing had happened. As they finished


    their meal, rain started pouring outside due to the unstable weather during the season change.


    She was about to hail a taxi to take Shawn back, but he gestured to Bruno to arrange a car.


    When Bruno returned, he quietly informed Shawn, "Alex just called, asking if you were outside. He


    said it''s raining and wants toe pick you up."


    Shawn hummed and said, "Let hime. I know he wille to see me sooner orter."


    He added, "It''s raining outside. Let him take Candice home as well."


    Candice immediately declined. "No need to trouble. I can take a taxi home myself."


    Shawn''s eyes showed a hint of sorrow, and he sighed lightly, "Candice, can''t you apany me a


    bit more? If you don''t want to see Alex, we can sit in the back. As an old man in his eighties, I still


    have to worry about my family matters. Only you can make me feel more at ease."


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Listening to his words, she found them somewhat peculiar. Shawn seemed to be portraying himself


    as pitiful. However, seeing the hopeful look in the old man''s eyes, she chose not to refuse.


    Alex arrived quickly. He had been busy dealing with the mess at Aether Corporation in recent days,


    evident from the fatigue on his body. He seemed to have lost some weight, and his naturally


    handsome features appeared even more sharp and defined. Compared to his usual sternness,


    there was a touch of sharpness.


    His gaze lingered on Candice for a moment. The ck eyes revealed no emotions, remaining


    indifferent and calm. She met his gaze without any expression.


    "What are you looking at? Now that you''re here, let''s go back." Shawn was the first to stand up. He


    lowered his head and leaned on his cane.


    The rain outside was not heavy, more like a continuous drizzle. Candice wore a thin ck


    windbreaker, and the rain left faint marks on it. She and Shawn sat in the back, and silence filled the


    car.


    It wasn''t until Alex''s phone rang that someone broke the silence. It was a call from Daniel.


    At a traffic light, Alex didn''t have time to connect to Bluetooth and directly answered the call.


    Daniel''s voice immediately echoed through the speaker, "When are youing back?"


    Alex''s voice was slightly deep as he answered, "I still have matters to attend to."


    "What matters could you have? Aether Corporation''s performance has plummeted, losing several


    major clients. Yet you still have something to attend to? Let me tell you, Nina is at home now. You


    come back immediately and pick her up!"


    The phone was on speaker, and Daniel''s voice was loud. Shawn''s face turned dark instantly, and


    his voice was even more stern than Daniel''s as he said, "Do you not allow Alex toe and send


    me home?!"


    Daniel didn''t expect Shawn to be in the car. There was a brief pause before he softened his tone


    and said, "Dad, that''s not what I meant."


    "Not what you meant? Then what did you mean? Alex, drive to Daniel''s house. Let me see if an old


    man like me doesn''t even have the right to ask my grandson for a favor!"


    In his anger, Shawn''s attitude was quite harsh.


    Listening to the conversation, Candice found it awkward. She suggested, "I''ll get off at the next


    intersection."


    The distance to the vi area wasn''t far; it would take around ten minutes by taxi. Besides, Candice


    preferred not to go to Daniel''s ce now. She, Daniel, and Helen shouldn''t meet each other.


    Alex nced at her through the rearview mirror but didn''t stop the car. Instead, he smoothly turned


    at the uing intersection. Candice realized that he was nning to directly take her back to the


    vi area.


    "I''ll get off at the intersection. I can take a taxi by myself," Candice said, her voice subdued,


    reminding Alex.


    Driving with a cold attitude, he replied, "Do you think Grandpa will let you get off here?"


    He looked ahead, his tone carrying a hint of mockery. "No need for this unnecessary act."


    The scent inside the car was simr to the clean and cold fragrance that surrounded Alex.


    Candice''s voice remained steady, "After all, Nina is still waiting for you. I don''t want to waste too


    much of your time."


    Alex seemed to pause for a moment, but before he could speak, Shawn''s displeased reprimand


    echoed, "Watch your words. Candice came out specifically to apany me. Why are you so


    unwilling to send her home? If you can''t say the right word, you might as well not speak at all!"


    Due to Shawn''s intervention, Alex wisely chose not to speak any further. They silently drove


    Candice back to the vi, where she got out of the car. Before she could take a few steps, Alex had


    already stepped on the gas and left, seeming quite anxious.


    Candice lowered her head and walked back in the light rain. Inside the car, Shawn frowned


    disapprovingly, looking at Alex. "Why are you driving so fast?"


    Alex handed his phone back to Shawn, his voice revealing some impatience. "Your son called, and


    Aether Corporation called too."


    Alex''s phone screen already showed three missed calls from Daniel. Almost every five minutes, he


    received a call, including two from Helen.


    Holding the phone, Shawn fell silent for a moment before looking at Alex with seriousness. "Your


    parents are causing a ruckus, and you want to join in? I''ve told you many times that their methods


    are not advisable."


    The car''s interior blocked most of the light from outside streetmps, leaving Alex in darkness. He


    chuckled with self-derision, "Do you think I have a choice?"


    After a brief contemtion, Shawn snorted, "You even turn against me. What do you mean there''s


    no choice?"


    After all, Shawn had experienced most of his life. Alex''s sudden call to pick him up wasn''t right.


    Furthermore, thinking back to the deliberate loudspeaker call, it seemed like it was intended for him


    to hear—


    Alex didn''t argue with his words. He simply drove the car to Daniel''s vi.


    The lights in the Elysian family vi were on, but as soon as Alex entered, he faced Daniel''s stern


    questioning, "Why are you just back now?"


    "Nina just left, and you''re back. Alex, are you doing this on purpose?"


    "I''m telling you, whether you like it or not, you have to agree to this matter. This is my notification to


    you; it''s not your decision!"


    Daniel stared sharply at Alex. "You''ve yed enough. Don''t forget how you agreed to this in the


    beginning. It''s time for you to focus now!"