Chapter 0476


    At the same time, in Dorrington, a man dressed in a well-tailored dark suit stood by the floor-to-


    ceiling window, giving off an air of silent mncholy. His deep, brooding gaze and intensified aura


    portrayed a sense of unapproachable aloofness.


    Alex asked in a low voice, "Are you sure she''s in South City?"


    Sawyer replied, "People who went to South City for business recently encountered Candice at


    Simmons Group."


    He finished speaking and couldn''t help but look at Alex.


    Previously, they had all thought Candice meant nothing to Alex. After their fallout, they believed


    Candice would be the one regretting it. Unexpectedly, it was Candice who chose to walk away.


    Sawyer couldn''t recall how many times he had fetched Alex from bars. Each time, he witnessed


    Alex drinking himself into a stupor, and he even ended up in the hospital once before he stopped


    drinking that much.


    Alex nodded without further inquiry, still gazing out the window. Thest contact between him and


    Candice was a bank transfer of 1.5 million from an ount in Mutemaw. The message included


    only a series of cold, icy numbers, clearly showing Candice''s reluctance to engage with him.


    A bitter smile crept onto Alex''s lips as he fiddled with his fingers, gazing silently at the sky outside.


    After a moment, he asked again, "How is it going with Oscar?"


    Sawyer said, "The board is anxious. The chairman is firmly supporting Oscar."


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    A hint of mockery shed in Alex''s dark eyes. "What a strong father-and-son bond."


    Sawyer didn''t dare to continue. The conflict between Alex and the Elysians was widely known.


    Everyone was aware that Daniel had another son when Alex had a fallout with his family. This son


    had been personally brought into the headquarters by Daniel the year Alex was kicked out from


    Aether Corporation, and now he was the head of the nning department.


    It was clear who Daniel favored.


    “What about South City?” Sawyer asked.


    "Do not disturb her." Alex''s voice was low as he replied. There was no need to disrupt her peace


    when the dirty business wasn''t settled.


    A gentle and tender expression flickered in Alex''s eyes, unnoticed even by himself. He looked into


    the distance, his lips tightly pressed.


    He couldn''t let such a thing happen again.


    -


    Yana kept chattering about Ellis being her little sister during the whole journey. Candice corrected


    her, mentioning that Ellis should call her "Aunt Yana”.


    Yana was adamant. "She should call me ‘Yana''; I’m not that old!"


    Candice nodded. "Sure, Nadia is her godmother, and you''re her godsister. That makes perfect


    sense."


    Yana didn''t mind being teased and happily continued mumbling, “Baby Mulberry.”


    The cab stopped at an upscale residentialplex, and Candice took Yana upstairs.


    When the door opened, theughter of a child filled the air. Yana''s eyes lit up, and she rushed to the


    bathroom to wash her hands and change clothes. After her swift movements, she entered the room


    and took the few-month-old baby from the nanny. "Baby Mulberry, do you know who I am? I’m your


    clever and beautiful godsister, Yana."


    The baby didn''t understand but pped her hands vigorously in response.


    Yana was ecstatic, and she kissed the baby''s face several times.


    Meanwhile, Candice walked over to check on Ellis, who waved her arms around, seemingly asking


    for a hug. So, she took the baby, fed her, and gently lulled her to sleep.


    Yana sighed softly. "She’s so cute! It''s all thanks to your good genes that you have such a beautiful


    baby."


    Candice said, "You can have one too."


    Yana resisted. "I''d rather not. I''m more inclined toward painless motherhood. Hey, do you think it''s


    okay for Baby Mulberry to have two mommies? She doesn''t have a daddy, so having one more


    mommy should be fine—"


    Before Yana finished her words, she stopped abruptly as she realized she had misspoken. She


    hurriedly cleared her throat.


    "But…" Yana couldn''t help but ask, "Are you really nning to raise a child as a single mother? I


    just feel that it’d be too hard for you. You have to be a mother and a breadwinner. It’d be easier if


    you had a man around to help, right? If you can’t handle it, you can find someone to marry into the


    family.”


    Candice didn''t think twice before retorting, "I can just hire a nanny."


    Yana advised again, "There are plenty of good men in the world. Why don’t you give them a


    chance?"


    Ignoring her, Candice grabbed her bag and headed out. She had a social engagement in the


    afternoon. It was a salon event, which was essentially an upscale afternoon tea for wealthydies.


    Although it seemed like a casual chat, in reality, it was a time for each family to exchange


    information.


    Social diplomacy, whether at tea parties or cocktail gatherings, essentially had no significant


    difference.


    During her time in South City, Candice had somewhat stepped into this circle. However, what


    surprised her was seeing the boss of Rising Sun Corporation at this salon.


    The intricate ties between Rising Sun and the Simmons family were widely known in South City''s


    social circles. After a brief contemtion, Candice approached, noting that the person was quite


    young. The smile she received in return was gentle.


    Candice had been to Simmons Group a few times before and had met Catherine Richardson. They


    exchanged a few polite words before Candice excused herself.


    Little did she expect that she would hear about Aether Corporation expanding to South City during


    this salon. Ady said, "Ms. Richardson, I heard that Aether Corporation is considering a


    partnership with Simmons Group. Is that true?"


    Catherine smiled. "Is it? I''ll ask Mr. Simmons when I get back."


    "My best friend works at Dorrington and mentioned that Daniel Elysian from Dorrington has two


    sons—one from his current wife and another is an illegitimate child. The legitimate Mr. Elysian is


    quite the talented and capable young man. My daughter is not that young anymore. I was thinking


    that when Mr. Elysianes to South City, I''ll have my husband check him out."


    Her words triggeredughter, and someone countered, "It’s hard to find a good man; if he’s as good


    as you said, maybe he’s already married."


    "How would I know?"


    Candice sipped her tea with a smile as she listened quietly, choosing not to participate in these


    discussions.


    Surprisingly, someone brought her up. "Ms. Renault, you’re from Dorrington, right? You might have


    had some contact with Mr. Elysian in your work. Is he married?”


    Candice held her teacup, smiling slightly as she nodded. "I''m not entirely sure, but it seems likely. I


    heard about his engagement ns before."


    Alex and Nina probably had gotten engaged, as arranged by their parents; if things had moved


    faster, they might have even tied the knot already.


    Upon hearing Candice''s words, thedy, who had been eager to introduce her daughter,


    immediately deted and lowered her head in disappointment.


    Candice remained silent and wore a gracious smile as she calmly finished her tea.