Chapter 0334


    It was early fall, and the wind blew coldly.


    Before Candice could utter a word, Hanley asked with a notably deeper tone, "Your forehead feels


    quite chilly. Aren''t you dressed too lightly? Are you cold?"


    Candice pulled away from him and evaded his touch. She shook her head to dismiss his concern.


    "It''s just the wind making me feel a bit chilly."


    Her avoidance didn''t bother Hanley. He smoothly withdrew his hand and pointed out a slender


    green vine near Candice, cautioning, "Be careful around this; it''s thorny."


    Candice gazed at the vine he had pointed to. It was green with a few sparse blue blooms, but


    around them were tiny, sharp thorns that were almost invisible unless she looked closely.


    The neighborhood was full of historic homes. Each had rooftops or balconies entangled with simr


    vines, which hung down abundantly.


    Candice had assumed it was simply another nt and paid no attention to it, but she asked


    curiously at this point, "Why do all the houses have these vines?"


    "They were nted for security purposes, historically. The thorns acted as a deterrent."


    Observing some scratches on Hanley''s hand, her concern deepened. "Let me see your hand."


    Reluctantly, Hanley showed her his hand, revealing several minor scratches from the thorns. There


    was no open wound, but the blood oozed a little.


    Candice felt a tinge of guilt as she examined the cuts. "Sorry, it''s my carelessness that got you


    injured," she murmured.


    Hanley withdrew his hand nonchntly and said, "It''s not a big deal."


    Realizing the potential harm the thorns could cause, as evidenced by Hanley''s scratches, Candice


    paused for a bit before saying, "I remember there''s a clinic ahead. Your hand is precious; let''s have


    it checked."


    Given Hanley''s role as the primary designer at their firm, his hands were essential for the design


    drawings for the exhibition halls, so Candice was not about to take his wound lightly and insisted on


    medical attention.


    Her insistence convinced Hanley. He went with Candice to a nearby clinic without protest.


    The injury was superficial and treated simply with disinfection and a bandage by the doctor.


    Candice refused to let Hanley carry the inferno soup. She personally took it from the shop owner


    herself.


    Hanley was helpless in this scenario. "I haven''t injured my bones; you don''t need to be so careful."


    "I''ve got this," Candice said confidently.


    Hanley was about to respond but stopped himself when he saw how serious Candice looked.


    -


    As soon as they got to the hospital, Hannah gave Hanley a hard time.


    "Why are you such a baby? Why did you let her carry everything while you just stood there?"


    Hanley looked at Candice helplessly.


    Candice cleared her throat and exined, "His hand is hurt. I was the one who insisted he shouldn''t


    carry anything."


    Then, Hannah noticed the bandage on Hanley''s hand but didn''t seem too concerned. Instead, she


    teased, "Let me guess, that scratch is probably already healed under the bandage, isn''t it?"


    Candice looked down at her shoes. She had only wanted to help Hanley but ended up getting him


    lectured by Hannah.


    "However," Hannah''s attitude softened, and she smiled, saying, "Candy, you''re really good at taking


    care of others. My silly brother is lucky to have you around."


    Candice didn''t know what to say.


    Hanley intervened to ease the situation. "Is it okay for you to have inferno soup? If the doctor says


    no, I''ll take it back."


    "Why not?” Hannah countered. “The doctor said I''m doing great. I could even go out for cheese


    fondue if I wanted."


    Hanley had no interest in Hannah''s nonsense. Quietly, he put down what he was holding and was


    just about to suggest leaving with Candice.


    Candice''s phone rang. She gave Hanley a quick sign and turned away to take the call.


    Jackson was on the other end. He said, "Candy, the extra evidence you gave us is now officially on


    file."


    Candice looked concerned. "So, what''s going on now?"


    "Right now, Francis is being questioned. We''re moving on to the next stage of the investigation.


    There''s a chance Francis might point us toward Sonia. If that happens, the evidence you provided


    will be very useful," Jackson told her.


    His update clearly improved Candice''s mood.


    After finding problems with the case against Sonia and learning that Alex was helping her, Candice


    had met with Wird several times.


    Wird had pointed out that the problem was not limited to Sonia. Francis was also involved. Sonia


    had Alex''s backing, but Francis may not.


    Candice had then coborated with Jackson to obtain a section of surveince film from a hotel


    corridor, intending to use it against Francis. This might perhaps lead to a breakthrough in their case.


    While Candice left to take her call, Hannah’s smile faded once she left. She faced Hanley with a


    somber gaze and asked, "Be honest, was Candy involved with Alex before?"


    Hanley''s expression froze.


    Hannah scoffed and confronted, "Did you think I wouldn''t find out just because you didn''t tell me?


    You bettere clean for your own good."


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    Hanley''s face showed a range of emotions. His brows twitched and he admitted, "Yes, but that was


    in the past."


    Hannah looked at him intently for a while. Then she clicked her tongue and added, "Tell you what?


    I''ve met that guy before. He''s not the sort to sweet talk or charm girls easily. If you can''t even outdo


    someone like him, don''t bother saying you''re my brother."


    Hanley looked at Hannah in confusion.


    "If anything, you''re just as helpless," Hannah said while rolling her eyes at him. "Might as well give


    up on Candice."


    When Candice returned to the room, the atmosphere felt strange.


    Seeing her, Hannah quickly cheered up and excitedly said, "Candy, when I''m better, let''s go street


    racing, okay?"


    Leaving Hannah often left Hanley feeling depressed. He nced at Candice, her calmness


    contrasting with Hannah''s earlier words. He blurted out, "Do you like street racing?"


    Candice looked surprised and responded nkly, "I''ve never tried."


    "I know how to," Hanley added, pursing his lips.


    -


    Candice was still bewildered when she followed Hanley to the racetrack.


    Hanley didn''t say anything but escorted her inside. He was clearly familiar with the location.


    Candice noticed. "Youe here a lot?" she asked curiously.


    "Yeah, I used toe here with Hannah," Hanley said nonchntly. He had a smile and a more


    youthful vibrancy.


    Candice also grinned. She was ready to speak when a wave of nausea overtook her. She frowned,


    immediately covered her mouth, and retched violently.