Chapter 0397


    Candice insisted oning with Alex to meet Stephan and Henry. She couldn''t ept Henry using


    her name to nder Alex.


    In the past, some people had said that she had too strong a sense of responsibility, so she always


    wanted to handle everything. But Candice knew she just didn''t want to trouble anyone because of


    her own affairs.


    Including Alex.


    Her inherent stubbornness and obstinacy made her like this, and that couldn''t be changed.


    The car stopped at the Pearl Grand Hotel. Earlier there had been some scattered sunbeams in the


    sky, but now it was cloudy.


    Candice had thought the weather would be good today, so she had only dressed lightly. But as soon


    as she got out of the car, a gust of wind blew, chilling her.


    Alex stood behind her and draped a windbreaker over her shoulders. It was still warm. He reminded


    her coldly, "If you faint again, you''ll have to stay in the hospital for half a month."


    That''s what the doctor had said when she was hospitalized. If she was hurt again, she would need


    even more time to recuperate.


    Candice pressed her lips together, said nothing, and followed Alex inside.


    Passing by a private room, her steps paused. This was where Darius showed her the video of


    Henryst time.


    They reached the door of another private room, and even before entering they could hearughter


    from inside, but couldn''t make out what was being said.


    Candice followed behind Alex, eyelids drooping, silently pondering how to handle meeting Henry.


    After all, she had mixed feelings toward him.


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    At least beforeing to Sris, she had still had great expectations for Henry.


    Lost in her thoughts, her steps inevitably slowed down.


    Alex noticed and nced at her with lowered eyes. His gaze flickered as he said, "You can still


    leave now."


    Candice looked up at him and her thoughts dispersed. After a moment, she calmly said, "There has


    to be an exnation."


    Alex''s eyes flickered then he scoffed and turned to push open the door to the private room.


    Theughter inside abruptly stopped, and everyone''s gaze turned towards the door.


    Stephan Kemp was a well-known big shot in Sris. When Candice decided toe, she had


    thought there would be at most Stephan and Henry. She hadn''t expected there to be seven or eight


    people present.


    Among them, Henry sat in the corner. When he saw Candice, his gaze instantly darkened.


    Everyone present more or less knew Alex, especially Stephan and those around him. Their gazes


    were all shifting between Alex and Henry.


    All of them knew Henry’s story about Alex getting Henry’s daughter pregnant and not wanting to


    take responsibility.


    Alex, however, remained calm. He looked calmly at Stephan and politely said, "Sorry for beingte."


    He casually nced at Candice beside him and continued, "I picked up someone from the hospital


    on the way. I hope you don''t mind, gentlemen."


    Candice''s gaze had been on Henry in the corner since they entered. Upon hearing Alex''s words,


    she casually withdrew her gaze and turned to face everyone gracefully, lowering her eyes with


    composure. "Apologies for the interruption, everyone."


    Stephan reacted first. He smiled and weed them. "No need to be polite, please sit down


    quickly. Mr. Elysian''s friend is also my friend."


    Candice smiled politely at Stephan. She had always been good at socializing like this. Such social


    gatherings were almost effortless for her. With a few words, she warmed up the atmosphere again.


    Although Stephan could be tough in business, he was generous and hearty in private. Coupled with


    Candice''s adeptness at handling such people, knowing what he liked to hear, he was soonughing


    and chatting with her for quite a while.


    For a moment, there were even more eyes on her at the dining table.


    Candice paid no attention to them, raised her hand to ask the waiter for a ss of water. She took it


    then smiled at Stephan. "Mr. Kemp, since you said this is a gathering among friends, then I''ll take


    the liberty of toasting you a ss of water instead of wine." She spoke openly. "I also want to rify


    a matter in front of everyone, as this matter has already seriously affected my life and reputation."


    She looked calmly at Alex for a moment, then directly at Henry in the corner, her brow slightly


    furrowed.


    "I''m sorry to take up everyone''s time for ten seconds but let me defend myself. I''ve recently heard


    rumors circting about the rtionship between Mr. Elysian and myself. I believe you all have


    misunderstood. There is no rtionship between us." She ced the empty ss in her hand on


    the table without any expression on her face. "If there must be any rtionship, it''s merely between


    a former employer and employee, nothing more."


    Candice''s face was already pale, her voice soft, her back straight, giving off a strong sense of


    resilience.


    It seemed like a little girl was trying hard to prove her innocence, looking very convincing.


    There was silence at the table, and those present couldn''t help but lower their heads, avoiding eye


    contact with her.


    Her gaze was too direct.


    Candice had said what she wanted to say, and the atmosphere cooled down. No one dared to


    speak up, not even Stephan, whose expression was hard to read.


    She decided to leave it at that, intending to find a way to change the subject. However, she heard a


    stern questioning voice, "Hey, Candice, why does what you just said sound wrong? What do you


    mean you have no rtionship with him? Didn''t you admit before that the child in your belly is his?


    "What''s going on? Does Mr. Elysian know his recent reputation is bad, so he''s deliberately


    threatening you? Don''t be afraid, there are so many people here who are friends of your dad''s. If


    you''re wronged, just speak up, we''ll definitely stand up for you."


    Candice followed the voice and found it was one of the two people who had dinner with Henryst


    time, called John.


    Now, all the other people''s attention at the table was drawn to him.


    Candice''s hand, hanging under the table, paused. She was about to speak when a hand reached


    over and calmly took away the bottle in front of her.


    She turned her head and met Alex''s dark eyes. There was no extra emotion in those eyes, just


    calmness, which gradually calmed down Candice''s fluctuating emotions.


    She pursed her lips and looked to the side.


    "Candice, I know you me me for not fulfilling a father''s responsibility, but I still hope you can take


    care of yourself." Henry''s hoarse voice sounded, his face sagging, looking very bitter and sad.


    But Candice, looking at his obviously carefully groomed hair and attire, couldn''t help but find it


    ridiculous.


    "Since you know you haven''t fulfilled a father''s responsibility, you''d better not speak as the identity


    of her father now." Alex spoke before Candice could. His tone was as calm as if he were discussing


    the most ordinary matter.