Chapter 0333


    Candice''sment was tinged with self-ridicule, yet there was truth in her words. Alex had uttered


    those exact remarks during theirst encounter in his office, in the presence of Nina and Helen.


    She was known for her patience and self-control, but even Candice had her limits.


    Given the unresolved issues with Sonia, expecting Candice to interact with Alex positively was far-


    fetched.


    And for the time being, Ryan was in charge of the tasks that requiredmunication between the


    firms. Candice only stepped in whenmunication with Aether Corporation had a problem.


    She blinked at Alex.


    The café was serene, and the air was filled with the melodies of a gentle piano tune. In the depths


    of Alex''s eyes, a faint image of Candice was mirrored.


    His fingers curled and drummed lightly on the table. He chuckled and asked, "Are you holding me


    responsible?"


    Candice lowered her gaze and spoke coldly, "Mr. Elysian is reading too much into it. I was simply


    rifying the cause of the situation you referred to."


    Alex''s eyes briefly sparkled with a mocking light, but Candice remained calm and unaffected.


    "Mr. Elysian," Sawyer intervened gently and reminded, "Your meeting is scheduled at four, which is


    in forty minutes."


    Alex gave him a cold nce before returning his attention to Candice.


    He spoke with a frosty tone, but his approach was strictly professional. "Please finalize the third


    phase proposal and the second phase integration report. Follow through with all necessary


    procedures and proceed to the finance department for the transaction."


    This implied that all was in order.


    Candice had expected potential procrastination or objections from Alex, but his response was


    surprisingly straightforward this time.


    She extracted a document from her bag, spread it open, and slid it across to Alex.


    "If you would, Mr. Elysian, please sign this."


    Alex''s brows twitched subtly as he watched Candice present the document efficiently. His eyes


    narrowed, his lips tightened, and a fleeting shadow crossed his expression, leaving his thoughts


    hard to read.


    Candice didn''t press Alex when he gave no response but naturally turned her attention to Hanley.


    She had always done this. Candice felt it was disrespectful to gaze at the client while waiting for


    them to evaluate a contract, so she instinctively turned to her colleague.


    Alex caught the exchange, but he simply looked at them. His gaze grew colder as he


    observed their brief interaction; his fingers on the tabletop barely moved.


    A whileter, Alex said quietly, "It appears Caspian was correct; you two are going to tie the knot


    soon."


    Candice fixed her gaze on Alex as Caspian’s name came up.


    She vividly remembered Caspian targeting Hanley back in Hannah''s hospital room. She realized


    that since Caspian knew Sieg, it was not surprising that he also knew Alex.


    Candice was so preupied with her thoughts that she didn''t realize Alex had taken her silence as


    approval.


    "You couldn’t even endure the slightest difort," he said coolly.


    With that, he grabbed a pen and signed the document.


    Candice didn''t understand what Alex meant.


    Once he departed, she collected the signed document. The script of Alex''s signature was refined,


    featuring precise and elegant strokes, befitting his cold appearance.


    Securing the document in her bag, Candice asked, "Hanley, should we visit your sister now or


    later?"


    Hanley checked his phone. He noticed several calls from Hannah had gone unanswered due to his


    silent mode.


    Gazing at the missed calls and realizing the urgency, Hanley dered, "We better go now."


    As soon as he finished speaking, as if on cue, Hannah called again. This time, Hanley picked up.


    Hannah conveyed her distress with a frail voice barely above a whisper, "Hanley, I feel terrible."


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    Candice was surprised by her feeble voice, and she asked, "How''s Hannah?"


    Hanley probed with a grave tone, "What happened?"


    After a brief pause, Hannah mentioned, "Have you not seen my message? I desperately want the


    inferno soup from the eatery near our home. I want it so badly that if I don''t have it tonight, I''ll


    probably die of misery."


    The reaction on both Hanley''s and Candice''s faces wasplicated. The two had no choice but to


    leave and fetch Hannah''s inferno soup.


    -


    "Mr. Elysian, all is set for our return. Julie has arranged everything for the meeting," Sawyer


    communicated in the vehicle''s silence, addressing Alex from the passenger seat.


    Aether Corporation had been busy recently, and Alex was always buried in meetings. Finding time


    for the Burning Star Studio project was a challenge to squeeze into his schedule.


    Ordinarily, such coborative projects wouldn''t be the primary concern, and he could have assigned


    anyone to review them.


    Sawyer nced at Alex, who had his eyes closed and his brows furrowed. He hesitated, and


    decided to keep his thoughts to himself.


    "How long has it been since Candice left thepany?" Alex asked.


    This sudden shift in topic surprised Sawyer. "Around three months."


    Alex hummed through his nose. "Has she been with Burning Star Studio for the same duration?"


    "Yes, about three months,” Sawyer confirmed. “The exhibition with Blue Artifact and ourpany


    has been ongoing for that period. Candice has overseen the project since the beginning."


    Alex fell silent afterward.


    As Sawyer peered into the rearview mirror, he noticed Alex staring out at the street. His jawline was


    strong, and his eyes were expressive and peaceful, like a serene ocean.


    Sawyer refocused on the road, driving them back to Aether Corporation.


    When they arrived, he was about to remind Alex to get out of the car, but he had already done so.


    The shadow on Alex’s face disappeared, reced with a cold and expressionless look.


    Alex issued instructions with calm authority, "Arrange for the meeting with our partners. Ensure


    departments resubmit this morning''s reviewed ns before the day ends. Don''t worry about Sris


    just yet, but make sure we''re properly prepared."


    -


    The sought-after inferno soup was located near an alley where Hanley had taken Candice before.


    She remembered Hanley''s mention that the eatery was close to his grandfather''s house.


    Tucked away amidst the city''s hustle and bustle. The alley offered a serene escape and was


    surrounded by stone walkways and lush greenery.


    Following Hanley''s lead, Candice admired the setting and marveled, "Such a pleasant atmosphere


    here."


    "This is a historic street that was preserved a century ago,” Hanley exined. “It has some historical


    significance, so it retains its unique charm to this day."


    "I see," Candice nodded.


    Candice didn''t notice the tiny vine hanging from the eaves in front of her.


    A soft hand covered her forehead, and Hanley''s deep and maic voice murmured quietly, "Watch


    out."