Chapter 0417


    Sonia leaned against Quentin and spoke with a coquettish voice that was loud enough for Candice


    to hear.


    Quentin''s sharp face showed no hesitation as he said, "You can inform them, or let Oliver or


    someone else do it."


    When Sonia heard that, a trace of triumph shed across her face. Then, almost instinctively, she


    nced at Candice, hoping to witness a defeated and confused expression.


    However, by the time she shifted her gaze back, Candice had already left.


    After Sonia asked Quentin that question, Candice didn''t stay any longer. The path with Quentin was


    now blocked, and she wouldn''t waste any more time and effort on it.


    Ang, who had strong opinions about Sonia, expressed her dissatisfaction. "Mr. Osmond is really


    stupid. I can’t believe he’s associating with that b*tch. And that Quentin, he looks like he thinks with


    his private parts."


    Candice didn''t respond to herments but walked toward Yondu instead.


    Abel was also present today. With the event nearing its end, several experts who had been specially


    invited remained in the hall.


    Candice didn''t know much about Jensen, so she intended to talk to Abel about it.


    The afternoon passed by quickly.


    Sonia asionally picked at Candice with provocative remarks, but Candice skillfully deflected


    them without showing any emotions.


    When it was time to wrap up, Sonia stood up with a faint smile.


    She lowered her voice and whispered a few words to Quentin. Then, nonchntly, she looked up


    and informed Candice, "Candice, I regret to inform you that, after consultations with the organizers,


    we all agree that Burning Star Studio is not qualified to participate in this tender conference."


    She finished her statement by tossing a folder toward Candice, saying, "So take back all the


    documents you submitted. It''s better not to disturb other coborators by leaving them here."


    The meeting had just ended, and everyone was resting in their seats. Sonia chose this moment to


    make her move, probably to embarrass Candice publicly.


    Candice nced at her but remained silent.


    Quentin, sitting nearby, pushed his sses up and sarcastically remarked, "Ms. Renault, I think


    neither of us should waste any more time. It’s pointless."


    Candice took a deep breath. She knew that Quentin was doing this on purpose; he not only rejected


    Burning Star Studio but also aimed to humiliate them.


    Candice recalled Hanley''s words about there being no conflicts between Burning Star Studio and


    Quentin. They hadn''t even interacted before because Jensen had always been in charge. It was


    abnormal for someone they had no contact with to harbor such strong hostility against them.


    After Quentin left, the meeting room buzzed with voices again. Everyone looked at Candice with


    sympathy. It was the first time in a long while that a studio had been rejected so straightforwardly by


    the organizers.


    Ang and Yondu walked up to Candice hesitantly. Yondu said while scratching his head, "Don''t


    take it to heart. You know Mr. Bruce ising back. You can talk to Mr. Bruceter if it doesn''t work


    out. If I’m not mistaken, he thinks highly of Hanley, so it should be fine."


    "What do you mean, it should be fine?" Ang scoffed. She didn''t mince words, stating, "Can''t you


    see that Sonia is behind this, stirring up trouble?"


    Listening to their conversation, Candice felt heavy-hearted. Although she was mentally prepared for


    Quentin to make things difficult for her, the current situation was beyond her expectations.


    Fortunately, her experience at Aether Corporation had equipped her with the ability to remain calm


    in the face of adversity, so her expression didn’t betray her emotions.


    If she stooped to Sonia’s level, it wouldn''t just be her losing face; Burning Star Studio and Hanley


    would also be embarrassed.


    Candice felt burdened as she walked out. Ang and Yondu, perceptive as they were, found


    excuses to leave first.


    "Candice." The sound of a car horn rang out behind her, apanied by a man''s voice. Snapping


    back to reality, Candice stopped in her tracks and turned around to look.


    Alex''s car was following her at a slow pace. Sawyer stretched his head out from the driver''s seat,


    looking weary. "I’ve called your name so many times. Didn''t you hear me?"


    Candice lowered her eyelids. "I was lost in thought."


    "Then get in the car." Sawyer stopped the car andposed himself. "I need to pick up Mr.


    Elysian."


    Alex hade in the afternoon, intending to join the meeting.


    Candice was still carrying the food container he had brought; she hadn''t had time to eat due to the


    tight schedule.


    As if sensing her confusion, Sawyer exined, "Mr. Elysian had to go somewhere else. He asked


    me to pick you up first, and then we''ll all go to have dinner with Old Mr. Elysian."


    Candice remembered that she had promised Shawn to have dinner with him. After pondering for a


    while, she got into the car.


    Alex was nearby. Due to the cold weather, a chilly breeze filled the car when he got in.


    The weather had soaked his ck coat. When Candice identally touched the damp fabric, she


    felt a chill.


    Thepartment was dimly lit, highlighting his stern profile and the frosty ck coat he was


    wearing.


    Subconsciously, Candice shifted a bit away.


    Right then, the roof light was switched on, casting a warm yellow glow. Candice couldn''t help


    squinting her eyes.


    "Why didn’t you eat it?" The warmth she had just experienced for a brief second was interrupted by


    an icy voice.


    Alex''s gaze fell on the food container that Candice held on herp. There were no signs of it having


    been opened.


    His eyes were dark, and emotions stirred beneath the surface as he asked, "Is it not to your liking?"


    Candice tightened her grip on the food container. She hadn''t eaten in the afternoon, and she had


    nned to bring it back to the hotel and heat it up for dinner.


    Alex continued to gaze at her. "You''re even ignoring Grandpa''s advice and skipping meals now,


    huh?"


    When Candice heard him bring up Shawn, she finally couldn''t hold back and interrupted him. She


    pulled out the documents Sonia had returned to her from her bag, her tone carrying an


    uncontainable chill.


    "Sonia and Quentin sent back the materials Burning Star Studio submitted, telling me not to waste


    any more time. Do you think I would still be in the mood for food after that?"


    As Alex looked at the documents, his tense expression rxed a little, only to be reced by a


    more stern seriousness.


    Returning documents might seem trivial, but doing it in front of everyone basically meant that the


    decision was final. If the organizers changed their minds, they would be in for a serious bacsh.


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    The car fell into silence, with not a word spoken.


    Candice pinched the bridge of her nose, her feelings in aplicated mess. Sure, she''d been


    putting up a calm and indifferent front in front of others, but this wasn''t a minor issue.


    If Burning Star Studio couldn''t turn things around, the rejection by Redshade Corporation would


    reflect badly on Burning Star Studio and stick like a stubborn stain.


    Feeling agitated, she couldn''t help but look at Alex. She suddenly asked, “If Burning Star Studio


    gets a t-out rejection, does Aether Corporation still stand a chance?"


    Alex paused, avoiding her question.


    He reached over to grab the food container resting on herp, his tone casual. "It''s already cold.


    Why keep it?"