Chapter 0406


    Barox''s words had a significant impact.


    Alex''s eyes turned colder as he directed his icy gaze toward Barox. The tension in his jawline


    indicated his foul mood.


    Barox continued, stating, "Maintaining a sense of boundaries is fundamental social etiquette for


    adults."


    Observing Alex''s darkening expression, Sawyer scowled and directed a question to Candice, "Who


    is he?"


    He subtly signaled to Candice, silently urging her to intervene and stop Barox''s remarks.


    Pretending not to notice Sawyer''s plea, Candice simply reached out and tugged at Barox''s clothes,


    suggesting softly, "Let''s go."


    Barox turned to nce back at Alex before responding, "I''ll walk you. I''m worried."


    Candice questioned, "Concerned about what, exactly?"


    "About you and the baby," Barox replied naturally.


    Candice felt an uneasy sensation about their conversation and didn''t pursue it any further.


    True to his word, Barox apanied her to the conference hall.


    Upon reaching the entrance, they encountered Yondu, who inevitably asked about Barox''s identity.


    By midday, the news of Candice having a boyfriend in his third year of university had circted


    among everyone.


    Ang was the first to approach Candice, expressing, "Sis, you''re quite something. He''s still in


    university. Oh, my! You''re truly an inspiration for us all."


    Having been questioned about Barox several times that morning, Candice found the situation


    increasingly bothersome. She remarked, "If you spend some time on any university campus, you


    could find someone just like him."


    Seated beside her, Ang animatedly shared, "You''re right. Myst boyfriend was also in college.


    He was as clingy as a puppy."


    While they conversed, Yondu went to the entrance of the conference room to escort Abel inside.


    Today''s session was scheduled with Abel and Daxton.


    Candice observed Abel''s gentle demeanor, causing her to slightly furrow her brow.


    The fact that Abel had tripped theb''s circuit breaker puzzled Candice. However, she knew better


    than to confront Abel directly.


    "What are you looking at?" Ang nudged her arm curiously, asking, "Why are you staring at Mr.


    Franklyn? You seem fixated on him. Your young boyfriend isn''t handsome enough to get your full


    attention?"


    Candice turned to Ang and asked, "Do you know Abel well?"


    "Why do you ask?" Ang responded, puzzled by the sudden question.


    Candice''s gaze flickered as she exined, "He''s been very supportive of metely, and I want to


    express my gratitude, but Yondu won''t reveal anything to me."


    Ang paused to consider before replying, "There isn''t much to tell, really. Mr. Franklyn may seem


    well on the surface, but everyone knows he leads a more exhausting life than most."


    "His wife was in a car ident a few years ago and has been hospitalized ever since. I believe


    she''s likely in a vegetative state now. It''s no secret; most people at Sris are aware of it. I doubt


    Mr. Franklyn would mind people knowing. Don''t worry about it."


    Curious, Candice probed, "How did his wife end up in a car ident?"


    "Who knows?" Ang shrugged. "Besides, Abel is a strong advocate for the DINK lifestyle. With no


    children and his wife in her condition, it''s understandable why he only has Yondu in hisb. He


    treats Yondu like his own son."


    After Ang left, Candice mulled over her words, particrly about Abel''s wife''s ident.


    If Ang''s ount was urate, with Abel being childless and deeplymitted to his career, it


    made little sense for him to have any motive to target Alex, especially considering Alex''spany


    had previously invested in Abel''s studio.


    Lost in her thoughts, Candice remained preupied until the afternoon.


    When Candice and Ang exited the conference hall, they spotted Barox waiting with juice in his


    hand.


    Ang nudged Candice and remarked, "Looks like your young boyfriend is here to pick you up."


    Barox approached them and handed the juice to Candice, remarking, "I noticed many people buying


    this on my way here."


    Candice, who hadn''t had milk tea or juice since her university days, raised an eyebrow slightly.


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    Before she could respond, Ang''s excited voice chimed in beside her, "Wow! This is from that


    inte-famous shoptely. It''s always packed whenever I go!"


    Looking at Candice with envy, Ang continued, "You''re so lucky."


    Candice smiled as she epted the juice and asked, "Did Yana tell you to get this?"


    Barox nodded, saying, "She insisted it''s a must for my girlfriend."


    With Ang gone, Candice spoke more freely and teased, "So, when are you nning to give it to


    her?"


    She had experienced love before and could sense something different about Barox''s feelings for


    Yana.


    ncing at the words on the juice cup, Candice smiled and handed it back to Barox.


    Before she could retract her hand, her phone rang.


    It was Sawyer calling, asking, "Have you left the conference hall yet?"


    "No, I''m still here," she answered.


    "Wait there. Mr. Elysian and I are on our way," Sawyer informed her. "Remember the incident earlier


    where items were thrown from upstairs? We forgot to turn off the camera at that corner, and we''re


    coming with the police to review the footage."


    After the call, Candice recalled the teapot incident from earlier. She gazed up at the upper floors.


    Actually, she had a suspicion, but she was curious about how Alex would exin himself at the


    time.


    Sawyer and Alex arrived promptly.


    Candice only discoveredter that they had nned toe to the conference hall in the morning


    after concluding a meeting with a client but had been summoned to the police station.


    She had been unaware that Sawyer had filed a police report as no one had informed her.


    Barox stayed by Candice''s side despite her wish for him to leave.


    As Alex exited the car, his eyes fell upon Candice and Barox standing together. Barox, being much


    taller than her, shielded her, making Candice appear petite and charming.


    He continued to observe them and saw Candice look up at Barox. Her eyes reflected a mixture of


    helplessness and joy. There was an undeniable harmony between them.


    Candice looked at Barox and asked softly, "Do you always follow Yana''s instructions so diligently?


    Does she tell you to do everything?"


    Barox replied, "She pays me."


    "Have you considered the possibility that your sryes from me?" Candice shook her head


    and asked, "And why didn''t you take my advice?"


    Before she could finish, footsteps approached from behind.


    A man''s voice broke the moment, saying, "The cops have arrived. Shouldn''t we go upstairs and


    check the surveince footage?"


    Candice and Barox instantly became serious. She turned to Alex and said, "Understood."


    The evening sun set earlier in the winter. Amidst the twilight mist, a streetlight cast its glow and lit


    the empty space between Candice and Alex. It appeared to have drawn a clear boundary between


    them.


    Candice and Barox stood on one side while Alex stood alone on the other.


    Alex''s intense gaze lingered on Candice for a moment before he made a sudden movement, almost


    as if intending to approach her.


    However, Candice anticipated his action and swiftly turned around, taking hold of Barox''s arm. She


    urged him, "Let''s go upstairs."


    Taking Barox''s hand, she led him past Alex.


    Barox, trailing behind Candice, intentionally held his gaze on Alex''s face as they passed.


    Meanwhile, Alex stood beneath the streemp''s glow, appearing calm outwardly. Yet his eyes,


    already deep and dark, seemed to reflect an infinite expanse of emotionless hollowness.