Chapter 0475


    Candice didn''t reply Yana''s message. She powered off her phone and continued working on the


    new nning proposal.


    During the initial days at Sris, she felt somewhat uneasy, dealing with unfamiliar weather,


    surroundings, tastes, and the strange ents she heard every day when returning home.


    She was far away from Ryan, and they weren''t close, so they primarilymunicated through


    emails and WhatsApp groups and rarely met in person.


    Without other friends around, Candice had be somewhat reclusive, only venturing out once a


    week to buy groceries.


    She didn''t have the desire to go out herself, as she had no friends and no pressing matters. The


    only time she ventured out recently, she couldn''t help but notice the massive promotional poster for


    Aether Corporation.


    Aether Corporation’s headquarters differed from its branches. Its scope was broader; it was not


    limited to finance but also extended to other economic undertakings.


    One day, when the weather in Sris was unexpectedly clear, she identally bumped into the full-


    length mirror in her room while airing out some clothes. The waist-high full-length mirror wobbled for


    quite a while, capturing the reflection of Candice in its unsteady gaze.


    The mirror reflected her pale face, a slender neck, and clothes that used to fit well but now


    appeared loose on her. Candice stared at the seemingly lifeless woman in the mirror, shocked.


    Her pupils trembled uncontrobly, and she instinctively reached out to touch the reflection in the


    mirror.


    Was this really her? Why did she look so terrible? She didn’t feel sick, but she looked awful.


    Candice stood in front of the mirror for a long time, trying to understand her current appearance and


    the reasons behind the change.


    Suddenly, Yana''s call interrupted her thoughts. "What are you doing? Did you go out today? The


    weather in Sris is nice, ording to the forecast."


    Candice''s voice was heavy. "I stayed home."


    "Why are you always at home? Every time I call you in the past half month, you''re at home." Yana


    expressed concern, asking Candice, "Do you remember to go to the hospital for a check-up?"


    "I do."


    "That''s good." Yana sighed, changing the topic. "By the way, Barox ising to Sris this


    weekend. I asked him to bring you something. I''ve been busy with work recently and can''t take time


    off. Remember to contact him."


    Yana ultimately chose to return to her family''spany to avoid marriage. Barox''s visit was


    scheduled for Sunday, but before meeting him, Candice had to meet someone else—Darius.


    They had arranged to meet at a coffee shop. Candice deliberately chose a bright and loose casual


    outfit. When she arrived, Darius seemed a bit surprised as he asked, "Is this how badly you''ve been


    doing since leaving Alex?"


    It had been a long time since she heard Alex’s name from someone else. Candice paused but


    quickly changed the subject. "Why did you ask to meet?"


    Darius nced at her with a casual sneer and did not pry further. He tossed a document in front of


    Candice, saying, "Help me with something."


    His haughty attitude wasn''t friendly, but Candice didn''t argue. She opened the document to find a


    project—not in Sris but in South City.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    "I''m not part of yourpany," Candice remarked.


    "Now you are. You don''t need to do anything else. Just make sure we get this coboration."


    Darius exined, "South City hasplex rtionships involving the Simmons and the


    Giettis. I believe with your abilities, you can manage it well."


    He didn''t consider Candice''s possible refusal, but she indeed didn''t reject it. In fact, without Darius,


    she wouldn''t have safely arrived in Sris.


    When Candice was still at Dorrington, she had contacted Darius, betting whether Daniel would


    make a move on her during her journey to Sris.


    Darius won the bet and saved her life.


    Candice and Darius had nothing much to talk about. After discussing business, she was ready to


    leave. However, Darius, seemingly struck by a thought, looked at Candice and asked, "Have you


    been following the Elysians recently? There''s intense infighting among them. Daniel is interesting;


    he chose to abandon Alex for the sake of his illegitimate child."


    The mention of an illegitimate child stunned Candice for a moment, but she quickly regained her


    composure. "I don''t care about those things."


    Darius shrugged and left after shooting her a nce.


    The trip to South City was arranged quickly. Candice applied for remote work with Hanley, which he


    quickly approved. When ending the call, Hanley said, "I heard the snow scene in South City''s


    Oelwein Lake is beautiful. Perhaps we can go together sometime."


    Candice replied, "Should I wait for you in South City?"


    "Sure." Hanley chuckled. "Wait for me."


    Candice changed her phone number the day after arriving in Sris, and only a few familiar


    contacts remained in her address book now. She chatted with Hanley for a while and then started


    packing.


    On Monday, she took a direct flight to South City. The weather in South City was much better than


    in Sris, as it was less humid. Darius had arranged everything; upon arrival at the airport,


    someone was there to pick her up, and the house was ready for her to move in.


    She couldn''t stop the busy pace. Candice now understood why Darius had insisted on hering


    here. The Simmons from South City hadplex rtionships with the Giettis from Harbor


    City, and there were also Rising Sun Corporation here. It was undoubtedly challenging for an


    external business to try establishing a foothold here.


    Candice had little time to rest. In the hustle and bustle, she focused on her work, and before she


    knew it, December arrived.


    In August, Jackson had called, saying that they had finally obtained evidence of the case involving


    Daniel after several months, with significant help from Alex.


    Candice hadn''t heard that name for a long time. Initially, when she left Dorrington, she would


    asionally think about it. However, as she became busier, she had less time to dwell on such


    thoughts.


    Compared to the chaotic events, she now valued the future more. Moreover, she had someone else


    she wanted to protect.


    On the weekend, Yana came to South City for a business trip and visited Candice. Upon meeting at


    the airport, Yana hugged Candice and said, "I''ve missed you so much!"


    She had been ‘tortured’ in the Landors’pany for half a year, but her lively spirit remained.


    Candice shook her head helplessly. "Let me take you back to the hotel first. I have a social event in


    the afternoon."


    Yana nodded, not saying much. However, she reminded Candice, "You should be prepared. When I


    came, they all said that they nned to celebrate the New Year in South City this year. I think


    Hanley and the others should be able toe next month."


    "Next month? So soon?" When Hanley had asked her to wait for him in South City, he was not


    joking. Burning Star Studio had taken on a project in South City in the first half of the year, so they


    woulde after they had wrapped things up in Dorrington.


    Yana nodded. "Yeah, everyone misses you. Where’s Baby Mulberry?"