Chapter 0481


    After Christmas, the New Year was just around the corner. Candice decided to push her work aside


    for a while and spend time wandering around South City with Yana and the others.


    Hanley had been to South City for work, and Yana, in her quest for social media-worthy locations,


    had explored the city like a special forces operative on leave. When Candice first arrived in South


    City, she was unfamiliar with the ce andcked friends. However, due to her pregnancy, she


    couldn''t stay cooped up at home all day, so she would often take solitary walks.


    Sometimes, she would watch kids skateboarding in the nearby square, and at other times, she


    would observe elderly folks exercising in the park. More often than not, she would drive around


    South City, and these pastime habits had now made her an unintentional tour guide, leading them


    to lesser-known spots.


    Yana and Nadia were having a st, capturing numerous moments on camera. While having


    dinner, they sat on the side, editing their photos.


    Yana suddenly looked up, her eyes sparkling as she suggested, "Let’s go skiing on New Year''s Day!


    The famous skiing resort in South City, the one all over the inte, was under maintenance thest


    time I checked. But the official announcement just said it would open during the New Year."


    Candice hesitated, then Yana continued, "Hey, there''s a vi there. You and Baby Mulberry can stay


    in the vi, and we can all celebrate the New Year together. Speaking of which, Zack seems to be


    around heretely. If you don''t mind, we can invite him too."


    At the mention of Zack, Candice recalled Yana''s words from earlier. Almost immediately, Yana said,


    "Candice, you should get to know him better. I really think he''s a great guy."


    Before Candice could respond, a gaze fell upon them. Hanley, in his usual calm tone, asked, "Zack?


    Is he your friend in South City?"


    "Not really. He''s an ex-ssmate. I just think he and Candice might get along. I’m just introducing


    them," Yana said with a mischievous smile, observing Hanley''s reaction.


    Truth be told, Yana initially thought Hanley might have feelings for Candice, and that they might end


    up together. However, considering the time that had passed, with Candice having a child and


    Hanley showing no signs, Yana had started to doubt her assumptions. Now, by praising Zack in


    front of Hanley, she hoped to see his real feelings. After all, Candice was a great woman, and she


    did notck pursuers. If he didn’t make a move, he might regret it.


    Candice, uninterested in Zack, walked out of the restaurant.


    On the way back to the neighborhood, perhaps due to the festive season, the streets were bustling


    with people, and several cars were parked by the roadside. Yana and Ellis were engaged in some


    conversation, both smiling.


    Ellis waved her hand around, wanting to touch Candice’s face, but Candice suddenly felt like


    someone was watching her. She instinctively scanned her surroundings but found nothing unusual.


    Hanley, noticing Candice''s hesitation, asked as he walked up to her, "What are you looking at?"


    Thinking she might have been overthinking, Candice changed the subject, saying, "Nothing. It just


    feels crowded because of the holidays."


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Hanley smiled faintly. "This will be our first New Year''s celebration together."


    "This is my first time celebrating New Year''s with so many people."


    In reality, this was one of Candice''s rare, lively New Year celebrations since reaching adulthood.


    Previously, she was either too busy working or attending various gatherings with Alex, but almost


    none of those gatherings had ever felt fun.


    Thinking of Alex, Candice pursed her lips as she realized that recalling Alex no longer stirred any


    emotions in her. Busy with her life over the past year, she had managed to let go of those not-so-


    pleasant memories. Time had indeed healed wounds, and now her primary focus was for Ellis to


    grow up safe and healthy. That was all she wanted.


    On New Year''s Eve, they packed their bags and headed to the skiing resort, where Hanley had


    booked a vi. However, Candice didn''t expect to run into Alex and his group here.


    Yana had informed her about Alex being in South City, but she wasn''t particrly concerned, given


    the city''s size.


    Besides, Alex was probably dating Nina now, so it wouldn’t matter if they ran into one another. It


    was just like how it was in Sris. They were strangers, and they wouldn’t say much to each other


    even if they met.


    Alex was apanied by Sieg, who couldn’t help but notice Yana and the baby. Sieg, with a sly


    smile, tried to interact with the child, saying, "Hey, kiddo, call me uncle, and I''ll give you candy."


    Rolling her eyes, Yana moved away with Ellis, not wanting to engage with Sieg. Yana was starting


    to feel anxious. While she was impulsive, she wasn''t foolish; with both Alex and Sieg here, she was


    worried about what might unfold.


    Candice was clear about not wanting Alex to know about the child''s existence, and if he did find out,


    who knew what he might do? Yana now felt a wave of regret. Why did she insist oning here for


    skiing?


    Yana cast a pleading look at Candice, who remained silent with a furrowed brow, her face tense and


    serious.


    "Let''s go inside; it''s cold out here." Hanley interrupted the tension. He stood beside Candice, keenly


    aware of her tension. Casting a sidelong nce at Alex, he added with a touch of provocation, "Mr.


    Elysian, excuse us."


    With that, he naturally took Candice''s hand and stepped forward. Candice, adept at maintaining


    composure, kept a calm demeanor even though her heart was pounding. Seeing Alex, she felt a


    sudden jolt, not because of meeting him but because she couldn''t let Ellis be seen by him.


    A sense of urgency swept over her. The Elysians were known for their ruthlessness, and if they


    found out about Ellis, it wouldn''t bode well. As they passed by Alex, she instinctively tensed,


    adopting a guarded posture. However, Alex''s gaze was fixed on her and Hanley’s held hands, his


    eyes cold and distant.


    Back at the vi, Candice realized that ‘1’ had sent her a message, but it was from a couple of days


    ago and only contained a single nk space. She was annoyed. She decided to cut off the


    disturbance during the festive season and delete the message.


    Yana, holding Ellis, looked worried. "We shouldn''t havee. I didn''t expect them to be here. Why


    don''t we just go back?"


    By ‘them’, she naturally meant Alex. She looked at Ellis in her arms. "I''m sorry, Baby Mulberry. It’s


    my fault."


    She hadn''t expected Alex, the baby’s annoying dad, to be here.