Chapter 0473


    Alex felt like his heart was being squeezed tightly.


    In his deep, dark eyes, a mix ofplicated feelings began to surface, and he swallowed hard.


    He was supposed to be in a meeting when he got word that Helen was at the hospital, so he had


    rushed over immediately.


    The days of constant activity were visibly wearing him down.


    Candice didn''t even nce at him. She stared out the window nkly, her expression unreadable,


    but her rejection was crystal clear.


    Helen''s presence was unwee.


    Unlike Candice, Yana couldn''t hide her annoyance. She bit her lip, shot Alex a re, and promptly


    led him out.


    The police investigation was now being handled by Hanley and Jackson.


    After spending two more days in the hospital, Candice was discharged on a particrly nice day.


    Yana brought her a red coat and said, "Wear this to keep away bad luck."


    Candice hadn''t seen the sun in a long time. As she stepped out of the hospital, she felt that the air


    was unusually fresh.


    Her skin, which had been pale from being indoors, looked a bit more lively under the red coat.


    Hanley went to get the car and asked her to wait.


    Candice shook her head and declined, saying, "I''ll wait outside. I''ve been cooped up in the hospital


    for too long. It''s nice to be out and about."


    Yana apanied her outside, passing a withered tree near the hospital entrance, its branches


    bare.


    Not far away, a prominent Maybach was parked.


    Alex stood by the car, his gaze intense as he looked their way. He seemed about to approach but


    stopped when Hanley''s car arrived, blocking his view.


    Candice nced at him casually.


    Hanley''s voice broke the silence. "Get in."


    Having been hospitalized for a while, Hanley had been visiting her daily despite his busy schedule


    managing his studio.


    Yana helped with Candice''s luggage, breathing a sigh of relief. She said, "Alright, you''re finally


    discharged. Let''s go home. From now on, everything will be smooth sailing."


    As they drove away, Yana nced outside and clicked her tongue. She muttered, "Why is he here?"


    In the rearview mirror, Alex''s tall, slender figure was visible, but his expression remained hidden.


    Candice was too engrossed in her phone to hear.


    Dealing with Daniel''s case proved challenging due to his influence. Powerful people often felt they


    were invincible, regardless of the circumstances.


    Nevertheless, Candice remained determined.


    Unfortunately, Jackson and Yana couldn''t offer much assistance. Being part of the same social


    circle, their families had connections with the Elysians, making it difficult to take a firm stand against


    them.


    Feeling remorseful, Yana apologized, to which Candice replied, "It''s alright. We''re still gathering


    evidence, aren''t we?"


    Though not as influential as Yana''s family, Candice had spent years in their social circle and had


    certain connections.


    Otherwise, Helen wouldn''t have approached her about a private settlement.


    A few days after leaving the hospital, Candice overheard Hanley discussing a project with Ryan


    over the phone. She volunteered to handle it herself.


    Her flight was scheduled for three dayster.


    Before leaving, she decided to spend a day at her old house in Northdale to organize things. She


    nned to rent it out as she wouldn''t be returning anytime soon after going to Sris.


    The rental advertisement was posted yesterday afternoon, and by morning, the agency informed


    her that a young couple, both teachers at a nearby tutoring center, was interested in viewing the


    property.


    After chatting and finalizing the paperwork, it was already dark.


    As Candice packed to leave, she found her path blocked by a car parked in front with a tall,


    imposing figure standing beside it.


    As she turned to go the other way, she heard the person''s hoarse, deep voice say, "It''ste. It''s not


    safe for you to go home alone. Let me give you a ride."


    She kept walking without slowing down, pretending not to hear.


    Again, Alex called out softly, "Candice."


    Moving faster than his thoughts, he reached out and took hold of Candice''s wrist, realizing then how


    thin she had be.


    Her wrist felt fragile, and he was careful not to apply too much pressure, fearing it might break


    easily.


    "I—" The darkness obscured the emotions in Alex''s eyes, but Candice could sense the warmth of


    his palm and the slight tremble in his grip.


    Candice nced at her wrist. Despite her outward calmness, she was inwardly annoyed. She didn''t


    want to encounter Alex without a valid reason.


    She forcefully pulled her wrist away from Alex''s grasp.


    Alex felt like he had lost something fleeting, the only tangible link between them disappearing in an


    instant.


    Alex felt a void in his heart and an inexplicable panic.


    He had waited a long time, thinking he had plenty to say to Candice. However, upon seeing her, all


    those words remained unspoken, trapped in his heart, his throat refusing to voice them.


    Candice''s patience wore thin. She didn''t conceal her irritation and dissatisfaction, remarking, "You''re


    really getting on my nerves."


    After a brief pause, she continued, "I never found you this annoying before. Or is this your true


    nature? You prefer someone you like to hate you; after that, shamelessly follow her around."


    Her words were cutting, aimed at humiliating someone as proud as Alex, hoping to deter him from


    approaching her in the future.


    As expected, Alex''s entire demeanor froze. His expression darkened briefly.


    For a while, Alex remained motionless.


    Seeing hisck of response, Candice turned to leave, her eyes reflecting indifference.


    But just as she moved, she felt a chest pressing against her back, emanating a cold, clean scent.


    Alex had no ill intentions toward Candice; he simply wanted to be near her.


    However, witnessing her genuine disdain and indifference left him feeling empty, causing his body


    to react instinctively before his mind caught up. He ended up embracing Candice.


    Her frail body felt cold and small in his arms. When Alex regained his senses, he refrained from


    holding her too tightly, fearing he might hurt her.


    As he caught the familiar scent from her body, Alex''s hands trembled involuntarily. Though he


    initially tightened his grip around her waist, he soon loosened it, concerned about making Candice


    ufortable.


    His attempt to please her was evident. Leaning down, his cold lips brushed against her ear as if he


    intended to kiss her neck, but he stopped abruptly.


    Sensing the trembling figure in his arms, Alex suddenly snapped back to reality.


    The next moment, Candice''s voice, filled with cold anger, questioned him, "Can you please stop


    disgusting me?"


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Startled, Alex''s arms were forcefully pushed away as Candice walked away without looking back.


    Candice changed the time of her flight to Sris, boarding the ne the following day.


    She had no desire to spend another day in Dorrington.