Chapter 0343
Candice rested against the door, feeling the warmth of the man''s breath as he spoke near her ear.
She felt trapped with no way out as Alex''s frigid aura engulfed her.
The office was deserted, and the corridor outside was silent. Candice could sense Alex''s hand on
her stomach and its gentle warmth against her skin.
Candice had a slender figure, and Alex''s hand entuated her delicate waist.
"Candice," he said, self-assuredly in a low voice, "you''re not being truthful with me."
He came across as confident. His ck eyes prated her, almost as if they could see straight
through her.
Despite feeling tense inside, Candice remainedposed outwardly. She calmly responded, "Do
you only believe it if you witness it yourself?"
The hand that Alex had been resting on her stomach now slipped down to her waist, and he
mped down even harder. He peered at Candice with narrowed eyes and a heavy breath. It was
impossible to read his emotions, though.
"Do you have to be so harsh?" he asked in a low tone.
With an arched chin, Candice raised her clear eyes to meet Alex''s. She blurted out, "I''m speaking
nicely to you, aren''t I?"
As she spoke, her expression remained calm and unwavering.
A glimmer of emotion raced across the depths of Alex''s dark eyes. A brief irritability crossed his
stern expression, but it swiftly faded.
His grasp on Candice''s waist intensified, causing her agony.
Candice pleaded softly, "Please, let me go."
Ignoring her plea, Alex spoke slowly, emphasizing each word, "Candice, you''re quite something."
Candice felt like her waist was going to break apart. She finally managed to release herself from
Alex''s icy grasp after exerting all her strength against his chest.
As she stepped away, the frigid air around her vanished in an instant.
Candice nced at Alex. She kept her cool and stated in a chilly tone, "My actions have nothing to
do with you."
With that, she turned and exited through the door.
Before reaching the elevator, she crossed paths with Julie, who was carrying files and heading her
way.
Upon spotting Candice, Julie paused and sneered, "Back at Aether Corporation again?"
Candice nced at her and replied, "Just delivering some files."
"Coming here bright and early to deliver files, I thought you were aware that Mr. Elysian has been
burning the midnight oiltely, so you came to offer him somepany," Julie remarked
sarcastically.
Given their strained rtionship, Julie''s words carried a hint of hostility.
Preferring not to engage further, Candice took a step past Julie and made her way downstairs.
Julie intercepted her, revealing, "Sonia is downstairs. If you head down now, you''ll bump into her."
Her eyes gleamed with anticipation, clearly expecting some drama, and she added, "I did warn
you."
As Candice made her way downstairs, she realized Julie wanted to see a brawl between Sonia and
herself.
However, Candice had other thoughts in mind. She had no interest in continuing to engage
with Sonia other than gathering evidence from Francis and taking her to court.
All she wanted was to see Sonia face the consequences of her actions. Anything else was of no
concern to her.
Nheless, Candice had overlooked Sonia''s unpredictable behavior.
Upon entering the lobby, Candice noticed Sonia standing by a potted nt near the side door,
engrossed in a phone call.
Candice attempted to escape in a different direction, but Sonia caught sight of her.
Sonia''s expression shifted instantly. Her gaze was filled with humiliation as she nced at Candice,
saying in hushed tones, "What are you doing here?"
Finding Sonia''s question silly, Candice continued toward the exit without pause. However, instead of
avoiding Sonia, she actually approached her.
As she passed Sonia, she halted and jestingly remarked, "What''s this? Unhappy with your new job
and considering a return to the old one?"
Sonia''s demeanor shifted abruptly. She red at Candice, teeth clenched as she retorted, "Don''t
act so superior. Remember, I have leverage against you too."
Candice met her gaze and asked, "What leverage?"
Sonia appeared smug. Malice sparkled in her eyes as she cautioned, "Just don''t expect things to be
easy for you!"
Physically, Sonia wasn''t unappealing. She possessed the charm of a girl next door. However, recent
weight loss had changed her appearance. Her once gentle eyes now bore a sharp, cold edge.
Undeterred, Candice met her gaze and maintained herposure. She shrugged nonchntly and
remarked, "Is that so? I''m eager to see what you''ve got."
"Of course," Candice said, her gaze bing frigid as she red straight at Sonia. "Better hurry, or
if Francis speaks up, you might lose your chance."
With that, she turned and departed.
Observing her exit, Sonia''s neutral expression twisted into a grimace. Her gaze was fixated on
Candice''s retreating back, her palm sped tightly at her side.
Shortly after Candice''s departure, Yana arrived in her car.
"Get in. We''re heading to the mall to shop for some things, then we''ll drop them off for Hannah,"
Yana instructed.
Candice opened the car door and asked, "What does she need?"
"High heels, dresses, makeup, and hair dye," Yana replied.
Candice paused and wondered, "Is she out of the hospital?"
"No, but she''s apparently allowed to take wheelchair strolls downstairs," Yana exined.
"Why the shopping spree, then?" Candice asked.
Yana reversed the car, her tone solemn. "You''re young and don''t understand Hannah. Do you
realize how far women will go to look good? She used to wear high heels and evening gowns while
riding motorcycles in the dead of night, but then she ended up fracturing her leg."
Candice had gleaned details of Hannah''s escapades from Hanley. She knew Hannah had been
raised like a boy andter rebelled during her teenage years, ultimately transforming into a fashion
icon.
She fell silent, apanying Yana to the mall to shop for Hannah.
Sonia wanted to go upstairs to locate Alex after Candice left, but she was hesitant because of
Sawyer''s warning.
In her moment of indecision, the elevator doors unexpectedly opened.
Two executives nked Alex as he exited the elevator.
Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.
Sonia''s spirits lifted, and she promptly intercepted Alex. "Lex, I need to speak with you," she
dered.
Alex paused his stride. His dark eyes dropped as he stared at her expressionlessly.
Sonia felt a sh of panic as he looked at her. She automatically handed over her phone to Alex.
Clearing her throat, she earnestly pleaded, "I understand you don''t want to see me, but I
genuinely want to make amends. I can''t let Candice harm you!"