Chapter 0345


    The day was nearly noon, and the gentle warmth of the autumn sun feltforting to Candice.


    Despite her inner unease, she countered Alex''s suspicions, questioning, "What exactly are you


    suspecting? Sonia told you that I arranged a meeting with Xavier to seek revenge on Aether


    Corporation?"


    With a contemptuous snort, she teased, "She''s still as clueless as ever, isn''t she?"


    After concluding her remark, she shifted her target and said, "But then again, you aren''t much


    better."


    With those words, she ended the call and casually tossed her phone into her bag.


    Hormonal and endocrine factors had caused Candice difort throughout her pregnancy, which


    had a negative impact on her mood.


    While she could usually summon the energy to work and suppress her emotions, she found herself


    unable to contain her irritation and frustration at Alex''sment.


    Upon returning to the vi at lunchtime, Candice found herself alone.


    After preparing a meal for herself, she dove into her work.


    With only one step left to finalize the contract with Jessica, Candice aimed toplete the review


    that afternoon.


    She became so engrossed in her tasks that she lost track of time, only realizing it was dusk when


    she finally finished everything.


    As she rose from her seat, the door to the study swung open. Hanley entered, carrying a cup of


    warm water.


    "Have you finished your work? It''s time for dinner," he said, offering her the cup. "It''s raining outside


    again. Have some warm water for now."


    epting the cup, Candice took a sip, feeling theforting warmth flow down her throat.


    As they headed out together, Hanley casually asked, "Did you and Yana go to the hospital this


    morning?"


    "Yeah, we did. Hannah asked us to deliver some things," Candice nodded and asked, "How did you


    find out?"


    "Hannah called me this afternoon," Hanley remarked, his gaze meaningfully directed at Candice.


    Upon receiving Hannah''s call, Hanley instinctively wanted to shield Candice''s pregnancy,


    thinking Hannah wouldn''t handle the news well.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    To his surprise, Hannah had scolded him instead.


    "Do you even know how to care for a pregnant woman?" she had berated him. "Look at how thin


    Candy is. If I didn''t know any better, I''d think you''re withholding her wages! And stop bugging me


    with trivial matters."


    "Who the child''s father is—does it matter? Getting a two-for-one offer is an absolute steal. If you


    dare to allow my future niece or nephew to slip through your fingers, I''ll show you what I''m capable


    of."


    Even though Hanley was aware that Hannah''s character was erratic, he never imagined she would


    be so out of control. What she did get right was that it didn''t matter who had fathered the child.


    Hanley, at least, did not ce much value on the child.


    He''d never contemted dating or marrying before. If it was Candice, though—Hanley''s heart


    skipped a beat as he raised his gaze to her.


    Hanley smiled and concluded that Hannah wasn''t altogether wrong. Why should she agree to be


    with him if he didn''t initiate the rtionship?


    Due to Candice''s heightened sensitivity to smells, Hanley made a deliberate effort not to cook


    anything with a strong odor.


    Nadia protested, "Why are we not allowed to eat bouibaisse? It has been a while since we had it."


    However, Hanley persisted, "It has a strong odor. The scent of fish has been bothering metely."


    Candice was ready to exin in response to Nadia''s vehement opposition. When she caught


    Hanley''s nce, where he gently shook his head at her, she refrained from speaking.


    After dinner, as they cleaned up together, Candice finally broached the topic, "You want me to keep


    it a secret from them?"


    Hanley paused for a moment before responding, "When Hannah contacted me this afternoon, she


    reminded me. She advised holding off on informing anyone until after the first month of pregnancy."


    Candice wasn''t aware of this custom. She asked, "Why?"


    "I don''t know," Hanley admitted honestly, "but better safe than sorry."


    Candice nodded in acknowledgment.


    "Alright, you should head out. I''ll take care of things here," Hanley said, standing at the sink,


    meticulously washing the dishes.


    He had originally worn ck work attire, but now, he had added a light blue apron, giving him a


    cozy, domestic appearance. With his head bowed, his tousled hair fell over his eyebrows.


    Candice couldn''t help but admire Hanley''spetence; he seemed capable of handling any


    situation, whether at home or work.


    However, she kept her thoughts to herself as she dried her hands and left the kitchen.


    Meanwhile, Shawn nced at the dishes on the table and the stoic figure of Alex across from him.


    Feeling irritated, he dropped his spoon onto the table and announced, "I''ve lost my appetite. I don''t


    feel like eating."


    Bruno asked, "Is there something wrong with the food?"


    "When did this stressful environment be eptable for having dinner?” Shawn


    remarked, shooting a pointed look at Alex. "Is this what you consider a family dinner?"


    Seated opposite Shawn, Alex remained calm and suggested, "If you''re not satisfied, we can ask the


    housekeeper to prepare something else."


    "I''m not talking about the food," Shawn retorted, ring at Alex.


    Clearly annoyed, Shawn sighed and questioned, "Did you go see Candy?"


    "I did," Alex confirmed. "She told me the child wasn''t mine."


    In frustration, Shawn mmed his hand on the table and fixed Alex with a stern gaze. He


    admonished, "If the child isn''t yours, it''s your own fault. I''ve told you before that you need to think


    before you act, but you''ve been reckless."


    Shawn disagreed when Alex first confided in him about the situation. He was well aware that


    emotions were the most vulnerable to testing in this world.


    Alex thought briefly before adding, "Do you have a better solution?"


    Shawn fell silent and then shook his head. "Regardless of whose child it is, it doesn''t matter."


    Alex looked up at the old man.


    In response, Shawn snorted and lectured, "If you have the means, have a child with Candy yourself.


    If not, treat this one as your own. After all, our family can afford to raise a child."


    After his outburst, he mmed the table and chastised impatiently, "I can''t even enjoy my meal in


    peace when I see your face."


    Alex''s face shed through with a peculiar emotion. After a minute, he mocked himself self-


    deprecatingly, "You''d probably be fond of the idea of putting a cuckold on your own grandson."


    "Whose fault is it for starting the trouble?"


    Alex didn''t engage further with Shawn''s words, though there was a glimmer of light in his


    eyes.


    However, the light faded quickly as Shawn sighed, his voice tinged with regret. "Such a shame."


    Just as Alex was about to speak, the phone beside them began to ring.


    Daniel''s voice came through, unpleasantlymanding, "I don''t care where you are tomorrow, just


    make sure youe home for lunch at noon."