Chapter 0435


    Tina''s gaze was innocent. Her voice rang out clearly and sharply, reaching everyone present.


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    Candice hesitated briefly. She wondered if she should rify to Tina that Alex wasn''t actually her


    boyfriend. Later, considering Tina''s young age, Candice decided it might be too serious of a topic to


    discuss.


    However, just moments after Tina spoke, Jensen''s assistant popped out of the office,


    announcing, "Mr. Bruce is waiting for you inside."


    Quickly, Tina took Candice''s hand, shing a sweet smile. She offered, "Candy, let''s go in together."


    With those words, Tina even shot a meaningful nce at Alex.


    Alex caught her gaze but remained unfazed, giving her a cool, indifferent look.


    Jensen had reviewed all the documents the day before, which was why his assistant had reached


    out to Alex. Nevertheless, Quentin''s misconduct made the situation ufortable for him.


    In a solemn tone, he stated, "I''ve gone through Aether Corporation''s documents. Though there are


    some discrepancies, given yourpany''s proposed solutions, I look forward to yourpany


    joining the project."


    His words were formalities that everyone understood. They smoothly followed Jensen''s lead,


    glossing over the issues and showing him respect.


    Both sides tactfully avoided mentioning Quentin''s missteps and smoothly wrapped up the meeting


    on a positive note.


    With this matter finally resolved, Candice felt a sense of relief, and at least half of her worries were


    alleviated. The other half would have to wait until after they secured the bid.


    As they departed, Tina bid them farewell. The young girl bounced alongside Candice and asked,


    "Candy, when will you visit my dad again?"


    Candice responded, "What''s on your mind? Do you want to talk to me about something?"


    "No," Tina replied, "I just feel like you''re simr to my sister. We''re very close."


    Tina''s particrly friendly demeanor toward Candice today likely stemmed from their chat


    on WhatsApp the previous night.


    Not ustomed to interacting with children due to being an only child without much exposure to


    kids among her rtives or friends'' families, Candice wasn''t sure how to respond to Tina''s remark.


    After a moment of thought, Candice asked, "Did you enjoy the candy I gave you yesterday?"


    "It was delicious!" Tina eximed enthusiastically, then asked, "Did he buy the candy for you? Did


    he treat me badly because you gave me candy that he bought for you?"


    Tina''s innocent tone made Candice twitch her lips a little.


    Candice lowered her gaze and said, "Someone else gave me the candy. He and I aren''t a couple."


    By "he", Candice was referring to Alex.


    Tina nodded, not fully grasping the situation, but then curiously asked, "Why did he keep looking at


    you? It was like the way Lucky looks at dog food, unable to take its eyes off it. My uncle says only


    my dad looks at my mom like that."


    Candice found herself at a loss for words due to Tina''s innocence.


    Subconsciously, Candice nced at Alex, their eyes meeting just as Tina described.


    Immediately, Alex averted his gaze and calmly suggested, "Let''s go."


    Tina stood quietly, watching the car drive away. She murmured softly to herself, "But the way he


    looks at you really is like Lucky."


    Candice didn''t dwell on Tina''s words, considering them merely the chatter of a child.


    Whenever Tina ran into Candice, she was always with Alex because of work. However, there was


    no need for her to exin everything to Tina. What mattered most was her rush to get to Dorrington.


    Sonia''s trial was scheduled for tomorrow morning, so Candice had to fly back to Dorrington tonight.


    Since the situation in Sris had been resolved with Jensen''s help, Candice said, "I''ll handle


    Redshade Corporation''s needs. I won''t be at Sris for the next few days. If you need me, I can


    make arrangements for Ryan or someone else toe over."


    Alex asked, "You''re catching a flight back tonight?"


    "Yeah, it''s at five," Candice replied.


    With time ticking, Candice was in a hurry. She still had to meet with Ms. Zott to discuss tomorrow''s


    court proceedings after a two-hour flight to Dorrington.


    Alex kept his emotions hidden as he lowered his gaze. He said, "I''ll wait for you in the hotel lobby at


    four o''clock."


    Candice looked at him. Alex raised an eyebrow slightly and suggested, "It wouldn''t hurt to witness


    Ms. Zott''swsuit."


    They reached the hotel around noon. Candice went back to her room to rest and only came down in


    the afternoon, dragging her suitcase behind her.


    Alex and Sawyer were already waiting at the hotel entrance.


    By the time they touched down at the airport, it was already 7.10 PM.


    Hanley was there to pick her up. When he spotted Alex apanying her, his gaze lingered on him


    briefly.


    Alex''s look toward him wasn''t particrly warm. Their eyes met briefly before silently parting ways.


    Hanley took Candice''s luggage and said, "Let''s go. Jackson has already left to meet Ms. Zott."


    Candice nodded, worried that Ms. Zott might have been waiting too long for her.


    She followed Hanley without saying goodbye to Alex.


    Sawyer, who had been quiet all along, furrowed his brow slightly and asked, "Mr. Elysian, are you


    also going to see Ms. Zott?"


    Alex''s gaze followed Candice''s departing figure, his expression darkening.


    When Sawyer spoke up, Alex nced down and replied, "Not really. I''m heading back to my


    parents'' ce."


    Sawyer understood, but his expression turned serious.


    "The chairman has made several calls before," he exined. "I''ve been making excuses, but I''m


    afraid he''s starting to get suspicious."


    Alex grunted and headed toward the airport exit.


    Meanwhile, Candice went straight to the meeting spot with Hanley.


    Jackson and Harley had been chatting for a while.


    Candice approached and sat across from Harley.


    "Ms. Zott, sorry to keep you waiting," she apologized. "Is there anything else you need to ask me?"


    Even though Jackson had already talked to Harley extensively, she still carefully confirmed the


    details with Candice.


    Finally, Harley closed her notebook and looked at Candice solemnly. She said, "Ms. Renault, don''t


    worry. I''ll do my best to ensure justice is served for you."


    The court session was set for the next morning.


    Because of her anxiety, Candice was unable to sleep all night.


    Hanley and Jackson apanied her to court. Yana and Nadia seemed even more nervous,


    constantly making gestures as if praying to a higher power.


    Candice was nervous too, but she was adept at controlling her emotions. So, she appeared calm on


    the surface—until Sonia and her team entered the courtroom.


    Quil was dressed to impress, looking every bit the A-listerwyer.


    He stopped in front of Candice and smirked. He challenged, "Ms. Renault, have you ever heard the


    saying ''the gain doesn''t justify the loss''?"


    Candice met his gaze squarely and retorted, "Have you ever heard of ''what goes aroundes


    around''?"


    A hint of displeasure shed in Quil''s eyes. He snorted and turned away.


    Meanwhile, Sonia red back at Candice sarcastically. She dered, "Candice, you''ll regret


    crossing me today!"