Chapter 0444


    Delicate snowkes drifted down and was caught in a breeze that brushed against Candice''s eyes,


    bringing a slight chill. She nced at her wrist, caught by Alex''s hand, and her eyshes fluttered


    lightly. "Why exactly are you here?" she inquired.


    In the dark depths of Alex''s dusky pupils reflected Candice''s expressionless face. After a moment of


    silence, the grip on Candice''s wrist loosened, and his low and maic voice filled the air. "The


    final part of Burning Star Studio''s report hasn''t been submitted to Aether Corporation."


    Candice paused before replying, "The studio is on break, and the report will be submitted after the


    New Year."


    Alex gazed at her. "There are significant matters after the New Year, and Burning Star Studio''s


    report won''t be a priority among them."


    Candice raised her eyes to meet his. After a moment, she yielded and spoke softly, "Then wait a


    moment."


    Turning to enter the residential area, Candice intended to retrieve the report for Alex. However, she


    noticed Alex following closely behind, forcing her to halt. Even before she could ask, Alex spoke


    nonchntly, "Redshade Corporation''s proposal needs to be submitted after the New Year, and


    there are many details to work out."


    The bidding for Redshade Corporation would officiallymence in February of the uing year,


    making it a priority after the New Year. Candice had no choice but to let Alex apany her home.


    This marked Alex''s first visit to Candice''s home. Upon seeing the aged appearance of the


    neighborhood, he furrowed his brow slightly. The ce looked worn, with peeling walls on every


    building, revealing the mottled marks beneath.


    The ground floor''s green area had been turned into a vegetable patch, and various goods hung


    from sticks jutting out of some windows. The neighborhood, usually quiet, was unusually lively


    today, with people carrying luggage and bags as they returned home for the New Year.


    As Candice opened the door, she saw Alex''s dissatisfied expression. However, she wasn’t surprised


    and paid it no mind. "Be gentle when closing the door; the soundproofing is terrible here," she


    advised.


    Bending down to search in the shoe cab, she found a pair of disposable slippers and tossed


    them to Alex. "Make do with these."


    The house was notrge and was probably less than a hundred square meters; it was sparsely


    furnished and had a vintage feel. There was no heating in this old-fashioned house, and the living


    roomcked air conditioning. With the windows half-open, cold air seeped in, casting a chill over the


    entire space.


    Alex surveyed the surroundings and asked, "Do you n to stay here indefinitely?"


    Candice paused. "This is my home. If not here, then where?"


    Alex''s gaze darkened, concealing myriad thoughts within. Candice found it amusing. When Alex


    asked her that question, had he forgotten that when her mother ousted her from Vestry Residence,


    this was the only ce she had left?


    It was alreadyte when Candice returned, and the sky outside was dark. Candice poured herself a


    cup of hot water, sat on the sofa, and turned on theputer. "There are no spare cups at home. I''ll


    pull up Burning Star Studio’s report now. If you have anything to say about Redshade Corporation,


    you can mention it now."N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Alex did not speak. He sat opposite Candice, closely examining her for a while. Suddenly, he asked,


    "Have you not been resting well recently?"


    Candice''s keystrokes paused. As the New Year approached, her anxiety increased. Spending the


    holiday alone was a real acknowledgment that Joe had indeed left her. From now on, she would be


    alone in this world. Hence, she had returned on the 25th to prevent Hanley and the others from


    noticing her unusual behavior.


    Candice slowly regained herposure, retrieved the report, and pushed it in front of Alex. "The


    report is here. You—"


    Before she could finish her sentence, all the lights in the room suddenly went out. The entire space


    plunged into darkness, leaving only the faint glow of theputer screen. With the arrival of this


    darkness, Candice''s heartbeat suddenly elerated.


    Candice looked out the window. The sky was pitch ck, but the neighbor''s window across the way


    remained brightly lit.


    Suppressing the sudden surge of emotions, Candice was about to find her phone by the light of the


    computer when the room was suddenly bathed in a bright light.


    Alex had ced his phone in the closest spot to Candice. He stood up and said, "I''ll see what


    happened."


    Candice couldn''t refuse. She knew she suffered from night blindness; the best thing for her to do


    now was to sit still and not create any trouble.


    Alex returned shortly, removing his coat and draping it over the sofa. He spoke slowly, "It seems like


    a power outage. Sit here and don''t move."


    Old houses were prone to power outages. Alex, holding a few items, left the room, leaving Candice


    alone on the couch.


    Outside, stars flickered with a faint mist, creating a cozy atmosphere.


    However, Candice felt nothing. She gazed around at the quiet room, her mind involuntarily recalling


    the time when people hade knocking on her doorte at night because of Ivor, demanding


    money.


    Even though she knew it was impossible, Candice couldn''t help feeling as if someone might jump


    out of the window at any moment and wield a stone to smash it.


    She slowly lifted her legs onto the couch and hugged her knees, assuming a self-protective posture.


    Alex stepped back into the room. The first thing he saw was Candice curled up. He paused for a


    moment, then walked over.


    Even when he had arrived in front of her, Candice remained oblivious, still buried in her thoughts.


    Alex lowered his gaze slightly and reached out to cover Candice''s forehead. "Are you feeling sick?"


    Only upon hearing his voice did Candice react abruptly, lifting her head. Fear was still evident on


    her face.


    Alex''s hand was still on her forehead, and she looked up at him, her eyes moist.


    Alex''s Adam''s apple rolled, and after a while, he said, "It''s okay now.”


    His coat was still hung on the sofa, and he was left with a thin suit, his fingertips slightly cool.


    Candice slowly gathered her thoughts and avoided Alex''s hand by moving aside. Her voice carried


    a hint of weariness as she stated, "I''ll pull up the report for you again."


    "No rush," Alex replied, his intense ck gaze fixed on Candice. "Let''s eat first."


    Indeed, it was quitete, and many restaurants had closed. Alex had just helped fix the power


    outage issue. Candice nced at his coat on the sofa and hesitated before saying, "There''s nothing


    to eat at home. If you mind—"


    "I don''t mind," Alex interrupted.


    Candice had onlye back at thest minute, and since she was alone, she wouldn''t spend much


    time on a meal. The entire fridge contained only spaghetti, meatballs, and some simple vegetables.


    In the end, Candice made two bowls of meatball soup and added a bit of greens. cing them in


    front of Alex, she asked, devoid of much emotion, "Do you want some?"