Chapter 0342


    In the dimness, Alex sat alone, facing a bottle of liquor on the table. Despite being known as


    someone who didn''t usually partake in smoking or drinking among their circle, the ashtray held


    evidence to the contrary, with several cigarette butts scattered inside.


    Sieg nced at the ashtray. He clicked his tongue, urging Alex, "Come on, spill it. I''m listening."


    Alex simply raised his eyes to meet his gaze. He still remained silent. The cigarette in his hand


    burned, and the sparks steadily crept up until he extinguished it between his fingers.


    Sieg did not press any further after noting his silence.


    Pouring himself another drink, he began to chatter.


    "Well, if you won''t talk, I''ll share something juicy. Do you know Marvin Hurlbutt from Encepolis? It


    turns out that his wife had an affair with an old man. And guess what? That man happens to be the


    biological father of the son Marvin''s been raising as his own."


    Taking a sip, Sieg continued with a chuckle, "And here''s the kicker—instead of divorcing his wife,


    Marvin decides to take in the illegitimate child as his own. He found out the truth through a paternity


    test a few days ago. Talk about awkward."


    He smirked, "Isn''t that the epitome of being cuckolded? It''s a blow to a man''s pride to have to y


    ''dad'' to someone else''s kid. Disgusting, isn''t it?"


    "Man''s pride?" Alex interjected, his tone icy.


    Even in the dim light, Sieg could sense Alex''s displeasure.


    "Isn''t it? What man in his right mind would raise another man''s child?"


    Sieg reached for the liquor bottle to pour Alex a drink, oblivious to the flicker of darkness that


    crossed Alex''s face at his words.


    "Anyway, there''s been some interesting developments in Sristely. Darius is moving fast; the


    takeover of Quinton Holdings looks imminent. If you''re still considering coborating with them,


    you’d better brace yourself..."


    But before he could finish, Sieg noticed Alex getting up.


    "What are you up to?" Sieg asked, puzzled.


    "I''ve got something to take care of."


    Rain had been a frequent urrence this year, even continuing into the fall.


    Standing by a window in the hallway, Alex watched the rain silently. asionally, a gust of wind


    would carry in raindrops, dampening his shoulders.


    He took the cigarette pack out on a whim, lit one, and held it between his fingers. Despite his usual


    distaste for the smell, the nicotine seemed to soothe his emotions at that moment.


    Taking out his phone, Alex scrolled through his call history, lingering on the call Candice had hung


    up on him.


    As he stared at the screen, a storm of emotions brewed within him, leaving him with an


    indescribable feeling. Eventually, he put the phone away, leaving only the burning cigarette in his


    hand.


    Ryanpleted the final touches of the proposal that evening.


    The next day, when Candice received the proposal, she noticed the exhaustion etched on Ryan''s


    face. She gently suggested, "If you''re not feeling well, take the day off."


    Ryan''splexion was pale, but he brushed off her concern. He said, "I need to test the initial


    results today. It''s going to be a hectic day."


    "Oh, and one more thing," Ryan added before leaving. "It''s crucial to deliver this to Aether


    Corporation today. After we''ve tested the initial results, we can proceed with the next steps by the


    day after tomorrow at thetest. It''s better if we can secure the funds sooner."


    Candice agreed. Once her colleagues had left, she headed straight to Aether Corporation.


    Hanley had nned to apany her, but as Ryan had mentioned, he was too swamped to join


    her.


    Candice wasn''t worried, though. She just needed to hand over the materials to Sawyer.


    Arriving during office hours, it seemed inevitable that she would run into Ka and Tamia at the


    building''s entrance.


    Ka approached Candice with her usual warmth, greeting her, "Hey, are you here for business at


    Aether Corporation?"


    Candice nodded, replying, "Yes. I need to deliver some documents to Sawyer."


    "From Burning Star Studio?" Tamia chimed in.


    "Yes," Candice confirmed.


    Tamia smiled,menting, "I was a bit worried about your transition to a new job, but it seems


    you''re excelling even after changing fields. Burning Star Studio is gaining quite a reputation in


    Dorrington."


    Candice nced at her modestly, responding, "It''s just been fortunate timing."


    "Luck can''t be the only factor," Tamia said, lowering her voice and ridiculing, "Isn''t Sonia lucky too?


    Look at how she’s doing now."


    "Speaking of which, that''s quite shameless. I heard she left ourpany for Horizon Holdings, yet


    every once in a while, she still swings by our front door," Ka added.


    "Horizon Holdings''s headquarters are fairly far from ourpany. I bet she''s up to something."


    Ka and Tamia were always eager to share gossip about Sonia.


    Candice listened without responding. After they finished speaking, she finally spoke up, "Is Sawyer


    in?"


    "He should be. Mr. Elysian and Sawyer have been pulling all-nighters quite frequentlytely. He


    would asionally spend the night at the office," Tamia replied.


    Candice came up with an excuse and headed upstairs.


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    She had purposely arrived early to avoid encountering Alex. Knowing his habits, she understood


    that he typically reached out to department heads on the first day of each month for updates, and


    today was no exception.


    Candice had just sent Sawyer a message as she arrived on the top floor.


    Sawyer responded, instructing her to leave the documents on his desk as he had a field assignment


    and wouldn''t be back for an hour.


    Putting her phone away, Candice prepared to kick the office door open, but it swung open from the


    inside.


    Alex stood before her, his expression neutral.


    Though subtle, Candice caught a whiff of cigarette smoke on him. Being sensitive to smells now,


    she noticed it immediately and instinctively stepped back.


    Alex observed her subtle movement, and his eyes glinted with mockery.


    His voice was unusually rough as he asked, "What brings you here?"


    Candice held up the documents, exining, "I''m here to submit the proposal for the third phase and


    the summary of the second phase."


    Her tone was calm and professional. She went on to ask, "Since Mr. Elysian is here, would it be


    possible for you to review them directly?"


    Alex''s gaze drilled into her. After a moment, he swallowed and asked quietly, "Don''t you have


    anything else to say to me?"


    Surprised, Candice met his gaze and replied, "You mean concerns about yourpany''s


    reputation? My firm still believes in it, but it would be beneficial if the funds could be transferred


    promptly."


    Alex locked his gaze on her for a while. His deep eyes mirrored Candice''s indifferent attitude. He


    looked at her with a deep and calm gaze.


    Feeling ufortable under his scrutiny, Candice said, "The documents have been delivered. I


    won''t take up any more of Mr. Elysian''s time."


    She was ready to leave, but Alex firmly grabbed her wrist.


    With a forceful pull from Alex, Candice was drawn back into the room.


    The door mmed shut with a resounding bang, and Alex''s arms encircled her waist, his palm


    pressing against her stomach.


    His hoarse voice whispered beside her ear, "Are you sure it''s not mine?"