Chapter 0450


    Nina''s tone carried a kind of indescribable mockery. She looked at Candice unabashedly, then


    lightly scoffed and said, "But it''s better that it’s not Alex''s. I''m about to get engaged to him. If a child


    pops up now, it would be quite troublesome."


    Candice stood there quietly. She watched Nina approach, and her hand clenched around her


    phone, her back straightening.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Nina was also tall, and with high heels, she appeared taller than Candice. She exuded a natural air


    of delicacy and nobility. She looked down at Candice, raised her right eyebrow slightly, and said,


    "You know, in families like ours, I can tolerate him having affairs outside, but I absolutely cannot


    tolerate the appearance of a child."


    Nina paused, nced at Candice''s belly, then calmly withdrew her gaze, raised her wine ss, and


    left the balcony.


    The distant fireworks were still going off, and on the balcony, Candice felt a chill in the air.


    She understood Nina''s warning. She looked down at her own belly, which was still t, but


    miraculously, a new life was indeed developing inside.


    Her phone vibrated, distracting her. Yana and Nadia were sending messages in the group chat.


    Candice nced at it and then turned to leave the balcony.


    Just as she returned indoors, she saw Hanleying over.


    He was frowning slightly, and he was holding a coat. When he saw Candice, he paused. "It''s cold


    outside. I thought you hadn''te in yet."


    Candice looked over to where Nina was smiling and walking towards Alex nearby. Alex was


    speaking with Daniel but suddenly turned to look at Nina. Daniel, who was usually serious and old-


    fashioned, also softened his expression when he saw Nina.


    Candice looked away and asked Hanley, "Is there anything else nned forter?"


    Seeing the fatigue in her eyes, Hanley draped the coat he was holding over her shoulders. "Nothing


    else. I''ll take you back since I''m here."


    The faint scent of lemons on him dissipated some of the coldness that Candice had brought in.


    Across the room, Daniel was speaking to Alex. "I''m talking to you, did you hear me? In a few days,


    I''ll apany you and Aunt Ava back to Stugan City. After that, Aunt Ava has to go to Sris for


    some business, so you''ll have to take care of her more." Daniel looked at Alex with dissatisfaction.


    Alex remained indifferent and murmured, "I have a lot of work to do in mypany. I don''t have


    time to go to Stugan City."


    Daniel''s face darkened, and his anger rising, but Nina smiled and said, "Uncle Daniel, I just saw


    Uncle Frowler seems to be over there. Don''t you have something to discuss with him? I can chat


    with Alex."


    Daniel nced at Alex warningly before saying in a deep voice, "Fine. Young people have their own


    topics to discuss. We won''t interfere. Alex, you should show some manners and be a gentleman!"


    Daniel left, and the atmosphere around Alex immediately cooled. Regardless of what Nina said, he


    did not respond much.


    A hint of displeasure shed in Nina''s lowered eyes. She closed her mouth and followed Alex''s line


    of sight, just in time to see Hanley draping a coat over Candice.


    Her gaze turned cold and she chuckled softly. "Do you know that Candice is pregnant?" she asked.


    Alex was slightly surprised, and his expression instantly turned colder than before. He finally


    nced at Nina, his dark eyes exuding iciness.


    Nina raised an eyebrow. "It seems you already knew." Her eyes shifted slightly. "Is it yours?"


    Alex frowned coldly. "You''re meddling too much."


    Nina remained unfazed, just looking at Alex, smiling triumphantly. "It seems Candice didn''t lie to me.


    The child really isn’t yours. I was thinking of scolding you, but it seems I was mistaken." Nina


    winked at Alex, who immediately averted his gaze.


    Just then, Candice and Hanley passed by together. She was wearing Hanley''s coat, and as she


    walked towards Alex, she lowered her eyes, deliberately avoiding his gaze.


    As they stepped out of the main house, the cold air outside hit them instantly.


    Candice stopped and said to Hanley, "You can go back to your business. I''ll take a taxi back myself,


    and it''s easy to get one here."


    Hanley hesitated, nced at her, and said, "It''s okay. Hannah and Caspian are here, and the event


    is almost over anyway. If I go back now, arguments might start again."


    Candice was not in a position to ask about the situation in the Baldwin family.


    Hanley insisted on escorting her, and she did not refuse again.


    -


    Unlike the atmosphere in Southdale, Northdale was filled with a strong New Year''s atmosphere. The


    streets were decorated with lights for the new year. Hanley escorted her to her doorstep and was


    about to leave.


    As Candice was about to head home, she heard Hanley calling out to her.


    She turned around to see Hanley standing under a streetmp. His eyes were gentle, reflecting the


    warm light of themp. He looked at her, smiled, and said loudly, "Happy New Year."


    A firework burst outside, and the loud explosion drowned out his voice.


    A hint of puzzlement shed in Candice''s eyes. She turned back and asked Hanley, "What did you


    just say?"


    Besides "Happy New Year," she had clearly seen Hanley say something else, but she hadn’t caught


    it.


    Hanley was also taken aback. He looked up at the sky, opened his mouth slightly, and then


    chuckled.


    When he looked back, his eyes were filled withughter. "It''s nothing. I just wished you a happy new


    year, peace and safety, as well as for things to go your way in the uing year."


    Once Candice was inside, the fireworks outside continued, and her phone kept ringing with various


    notifications.


    As she was putting things away, she remembered the envelope Hanley had given her and opened


    it.


    In addition to money, there was a very small talisman inside. Candice looked at the style and was


    stunned.


    It was exactly the same as the talisman her grandfather had given her before. Candice pursed her


    lips and put the charm away.


    -


    The annual leave arranged by Burning Star Studio started at the end of the year. Candice had


    packed her bags the night before and went to the airport early the next morning to meet Hanley,


    flying directly to Stugan City.


    They arrived around noon and met with the others.


    They nned to spend a week in Stugan City. Everyone in the group had been there before due to


    work, so the trip was a rare opportunity for leisure. Nadia was the most excited among them.


    She dragged Candice to take photos, but Candice''s phone rang, so she had to go aside to answer


    the call.


    It was a previous client. Candice brieflymunicated and then ended the call.


    However, when she returned, she saw several familiar figures had joined the group.


    Daniel, Helen, Ava, and her daughter.


    She did not see Alex.


    Hanley had met Daniel at his father''s birthday banquet, so it would have been impossible for him to


    ignore Daniel now.


    Candice stopped a few meters away from them, intending to wait for them to leave before


    approaching.


    However, Nina unexpectedly smiled at her and said, "Candice, you''re here in Stugan City too. Are


    you here for vacation or recuperation? But now that you''re pregnant, flying must be tiring, right?"


    Her words seemed caring, but in reality, they were casual and indifferent. It was clear that her


    intentions were not genuine concern for Candice.


    As expected, Daniel keenly caught the word "pregnant" and looked directly at Candice with a stern


    gaze. "Are you pregnant?" he asked.