Chapter 0448


    Daniel''s calls kepting, but Alex ignored each one.


    However, Candice felt ufortable as she had her dinner. She set down her utensils and coolly


    asked Alex, "Can you leave now?"


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    Alex paused, his phone on the table still shing incessantly. Even though it was in silent mode,


    calls and messages continueding in one after another. Candice stated, "You''re disturbing me."


    The TV show reached a climax; it was full of joy and apuse, which perfectly matched the sudden


    burst of fireworks outside. Alex''s dark pupils froze. He looked at Candice, his eyes narrowing, and


    after a long pause, he asked, his tone slow and measured, "Do you think I''m disturbing you?"


    "Isn''t it obvious?" Candice abandoned her utensils, her face devoid of emotion. "I epted when


    you contacted me for work reasons. Today is New Year''s Eve, and out of courtesy and tradition, I


    didn''t want to argue with you. But now you''ve seriously disrupted me, so I hope you can leave."


    Candice''s words were clear, and her attitude was firm. Alex locked eyes with her for a moment, and


    Candice''s gaze fell on his phone, which had lit up again, conveying an unspoken message.


    The emotions hidden in Alex''s eyes were deep. The chill emanating from him was heavier than


    when he entered. Only when another message arrived did Alex get up. He grabbed his phone and


    gazed deeply at Candice, who sat upright with no expression on her face.


    The old house had poor sound instion, and the door lock wasn''t great, so Alex mming the


    door echoed loudly. The old door seemed to sway a couple of times, responding to the echo of the


    mmed door.


    Sitting at the dining table, Candice lowered her eyes for a moment, then slowly resumed eating.


    Snowkes fell slowly outside the window. Alex stopped and looked at his phone screen for a


    moment, a hint of irritation in his eyes.


    Alex answered the call, but the other person seemed surprised that he had picked up. After a brief


    pause, the person spoke in a deep and solemn tone, "It’s New Year’s Eve, and you don''t even know


    toe home? Alex, do you still consider me your dad?"


    Daniel''s voice, full of anger, echoed through the receiver. Alex''s expression tightened, and he


    withdrew into the shadows. He raised his eyes to the brightly lit window and nonchntly said, "Oh,


    I thought it was a corporate banquet you were hosting."


    "What are you talking about?!" Daniel''s voice instantly rose, as if wanting to reprimand Alex.


    However, realizing something, he abruptly lowered his tone and warned, "I don''t care what you''re


    thinking, but Ava and Nina are at home right now. You’d bettere back, or I’ll—"


    Before Daniel could finish, he was interrupted by a knock on the door. Daniel issued a couple more


    warnings before hanging up.


    Alex didn''t react. He remained hidden in the night, silently making it difficult for anyone to notice


    him.


    After Alex left, Candice''s New Year''s Eve dinner became much more peaceful. She watched the TV


    show alone, chatted with Yana and the rest in the group chat, and prepared to rest.


    Candice didn''t have many rtives to interact with. Only a few neighbors who had been friendly


    with Joe came by, and by the third day of the New Year, she had already spent two quiet days alone


    at home.


    When Hannah called, Candice was sitting by the window, reading a book. Hannah asked, "Can I


    pick you up tomorrow at 5:00 PM?"


    Earlier, Hannah had mentioned that she wanted Candice to apany Hanley to the Baldwins’


    residence for their father’s birthday banquet.


    The next day at 5:00 PM, Hannah called on time. Candice dressed and went out, expecting to see


    Hannah. However, she was met by Hanley.


    She was surprised. "Didn''t Hannah say she woulde to pick me up?"


    Hanley said, "She was detained by my grandma."


    The Baldwins resided in the east of the city, and in recent years, they had focused on development


    in other regions. Regardless, the Baldwins were still part of Dorrington''s wealthy circle, so there


    were quite a few familiar faces.


    As soon as Candice followed Hanley inside, she saw Sieg and Marc approaching from another


    direction. Sieg wore his usual smirk. Looking at Candice, he said, "Well, what a coincidence."


    Candice didn''t bother to greet him, pretending not to have heard.


    Marc awkwardly smiled at Candice and said softly, "It’s been a while, Candice."


    Candice nodded slightly, acknowledging his greeting.


    Sieg, looking at her like this, couldn''t help but sneer, "Candice, what are you pretending for in front


    of me? Did you show up because you knew Alex and Nina were here?"


    Candice paused her steps. Hanley''s father, Ron, was a businessman as well, and it was normal for


    them to have connections with the Elysians, especially in their business circles.


    She raised her eyebrows at Sieg and said in a calm voice, "Who gave you the confidence to think


    that everyone in the world freezes when they see Alex? Sieg, you really surprise me. You''re like a


    Karen who stirs up trouble everywhere just because you can''t get the person you like. It''s really


    nauseating."


    Her words were slow, and her eyes stared directly at Sieg. When she saw the rising anger in Sieg''s


    eyes, she calmly mocked, "Who do you think Alex is? And who do you think you are?"


    As Candice finished speaking, Sieg''s eyebrows were already tightly knit, and he seemed ready to


    explode. However, upon seeing the person behind Candice, he changed his anger to a disdainful


    smile. He coldly snorted, "Heard that? Candice is asking who I think you are."


    The footsteps behind them slowly came to a stop. Candice turned around, locking eyes with Alex''s


    cold gaze. Nina stood beside him, yfully assessing her.


    "Ms. Renault, you’ve got quite a temper," Nina said with a meaningful look while ncing at Alex.


    "I''m suddenly curious. Was she like this when she was your secretary at thepany?"


    "Miss Burgess." Hanley spoke up before Candice did and pulled her back, indicating his strong


    support. He gazed at Nina with a stern look. "You''re trying to instigate something between my


    employee and her former boss in front of me, Miss Burgess. Do you think this is a good idea?"


    Nina raised an eyebrow. "I''m just curious about Ms. Renault''s work attitude."


    "What does that have to do with you?" Although Hanley was addressing Nina, his eyes were


    already inadvertently looking at Alex.


    Alex''s gaze was cold. He locked eyes with Hanley, and before he could speak, Candice said, "Aren''t


    Hannah and your grandma still waiting for us?"


    Candice didn''t want to conflict with Alex and the others here. It wasn''t decent to do this in front of an


    audience. Reminded by her words, Hanley hummed in response before leading her toward the


    garden.


    As Nina stood behind them, her expression seemed more rxed. She withdrew her gaze following


    Candice and asked Alex, "Why are you so stubborn? I''ve already said I just need yourst name. I


    won''t mind you having other women outside."