Chapter 0447


    Sawyer went out to buy food for Alex, leaving only Alex and Candice in the entire house.


    Alex''s voice rang out casually. "Darius came to Dorrington to discuss business. He''ll be heading


    back to Sris tomorrow morning. He can''t spend the New Year in Dorrington; it wouldn''t look good


    to Old Mr. Quinton."


    Leaning on the couch, Alex tilted his head back, probably ufortable, as he furrowed his brow


    slightly. His voice, more subdued than usual, carried an undertone of weariness.


    Candice nced at him. She had heard various tales about Darius and the Quintons but never truly


    understood the situation. Yet, recalling her less-than-amicable parting with Darius when discussing


    terms, she didn''t feel inclined to ask him further.


    She had nned to wait until Alex left before taking a bath and resting. However, Sawyer''s call,


    reporting that there were no open restaurants outside, disrupted her ns. This was expected,


    given that Northdale was not as bustling as Southdale and mostly consisted of small, individually-


    owned eateries, many of which closed for the New Year.


    As Sawyer hung up, Alex''s dark pupils turned leisurely toward Candice. She said with a slightly


    stern expression, "Once Sawyer returns, he should take you home."


    Alex nodded, then stood up. He asked Candice, "Mind if I use your kitchen?"


    Before Candice could express any opinion, he was already in the kitchen. Familiar with theyout,


    he effortlessly pulled out some meatballs from the refrigerator.


    However, being inexperienced in such matters, Alex stood in the kitchen while holding a pack of


    meatballs, seemingly uncertain how to proceed. Unable to watch him waste food, Candice entered


    the kitchen expressionlessly and took away the meatballs without a word, then started boiling some


    broth.


    Alex didn''t leave the kitchen; he leaned against the doorway, quietly watching Candice. The kitchen


    remained quiet, with only steam lingering in the air. Candice could sense his gaze behind her, but


    she paid it no mind, unwilling to ask.


    Once the meatball soup was ready, she served it in a bowl and left the kitchen.


    The phone on the coffee table disyed several messages from Yana, who had shared multiple


    photos of Bay Ind''s scenery in their group chat. Nadia expressed envy and asked her to start a


    video call.


    As Yana''s video call came in, Candice took her phone to the bedroom. Passing by Alex, she


    hesitated for a moment but said nothing.


    Yana didn’t want to go to Bay Ind in the beginning, but it now seemed that she was enjoying


    herself there. After she showed the group around on the video call, she asked Candice, “Candy, if


    you’re spending New Year’s alone at home, why don’t you visit me here? We can celebrate the New


    Year together.”


    Candice declined. "It’s okay. I''m fine in Dorrington."


    "Are you really fine all alone?"


    "If you want me toe and witness the love-hate rtionship between you and Mason, I''ll be


    there in a heartbeat," Candice teased with a remark, and immediately, Yana shifted her attention,


    launching into a tirade against Mason.


    Candice chatted with Yana and others in the room for a long time. Upon hearing the front door


    opening, she paused, ended the call, and headed out.


    To her surprise, Sawyer stood at the doorway, looking awkward. Following his gaze, Candice


    noticed Alex on the sofa, still reclined with a sleepy appearance. Empty medicine boxes scattered


    on the coffee table suggested he had taken some sleep-inducing medication.


    Sawyer looked at Candice, gesturing for her toe over. "Sorry. I just got a call, and I had to


    deliver something before I coulde over. I’ve informed Mr. Elysian," he exined.


    Candice nodded. "Well, take him away now. I need to rest."


    However, Sawyer hesitated even more as he looked at Candice with a troubled expression.


    Candice cut him off before he could say anything. "I can''t let him stay overnight here."


    They had practically severed ties, and letting him rest here was already generous. There was no


    need for him to stay overnight.


    Candice''s stance was firm. She nced at Alex, about to speak, but met his dark, misty eyes.


    Perhaps due to just waking up, his eyes seemed gentler and more moist than usual, devoid of the


    usual hostility.


    Candice said to him, "It''s alreadyte. You can leave now."


    Alex lowered his gaze to his phone, giving a faint acknowledgment. After seeing him off, Candice


    turned back to the dining table, which was neat and clean except for a USB drive in the corner.


    The Aether Corporation logo was engraved on the USB; it seemed to contain something the


    company needed. Candice snapped a photo and sent it to Alex, but there was no reply for a while.


    It wasn''t until the next morning that Candice saw his response, stating that he woulde to pick it


    up today.


    It was New Year''s Eve, and the atmosphere was lively everywhere. The neighborhood was bustling


    with children and people returning for the celebrations.


    Candice sat in the living room by the window with a view of the street, responding to various festive


    messages. Jackson knew her situation and invited her to spend New Year''s at his ce, but


    Candice declined. Hannah insisted on celebrating with Hanley at the Baldwins’ residence.


    Ang happily shared a New Year''s Eve vlog on her social media. Everyone seemed to be in high


    spirits.


    In the morning, Candice cleaned the photo frames of her grandparents and took out the groceries


    she had bought, which included ingredients for all their favorite dishes.


    Candice made four dishes, spending the whole afternoon on them. As the sky darkened, she


    paused amiddling soup and nced outside to see the myriad lights illuminating the


    surroundings.


    In the living room, the New Year''s Eve G began on the TV, apanied by the lively apuse


    of the audience. Candice stood in the kitchen, lit only by a dim yellowmp above her head.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Her eyes fixed on the soupdle, she pursed her lips as her hands trembled involuntarily. Outside,


    fireworks were set off by someone, casting a momentary brilliance across the entire sky.


    Almost simultaneously, a knocking sound interrupted Candice''s thoughts. She set down thedle to


    answer the door and found Alex outside, exuding a cold aura.


    "I''m here to pick up the USB." His gaze shifted beyond Candice, noticing the prepared dishes on the


    table. Without waiting for an invitation, he walked into the house.


    Candice turned around to grab the USB. Before she could say anything, Alex, ncing at the table,


    asked softly, "Since when did your cooking skills be so good?"


    The four dishes she prepared had grown cold after she had spent the entire afternoon making them.


    Alex sat directly at the table and lowered his gaze for a moment. His fingertips tapped the tabletop,


    and his tone couldn''t conceal his weariness. "I’ve been dealing with social obligations for days. Mind


    if I take refuge here for some peace?"


    Perhaps it was the fireworks that had just lit up, entuating the loneliness of the house. Candice,


    for once, didn''t turn down Alex.


    However, this New Year''s Eve dinner was anything but peaceful. Alex''s phone had been incessantly


    ringing since he took his seat, and Candice unintentionally glimpsed at it. They were mostly calls


    from Daniel.