Chapter 0483


    Candice''s gaze moved and she saw Alex by the stairs. The smile on her face instantly faded.


    Hanley also noticed Alex. He lowered his gaze slightly. Although he didn’t say anything, he moved a


    little closer to Candice in a reflexive protective posture.


    He blocked Alex''s line of sight to Candice. Candice pursed her lips and reflexively looked at Ellis


    who was sleeping deeply on the sofa.


    Candice hadn’t expected Alex to suddenly appear. She thought Alex was outside.


    She didn’t yet feel that she could be forgiving and calmly pretend that nothing had happened when


    Alex stopped in front of Ellis.


    Originally, Candice had intended to have a natural birth. But because the fetal position hadn’t been


    correct, it had to be changed to a cesarean section, so she had suffered doubly. She scarred easily,


    and the doctors had estimated that the scar would be slow to fade.


    Most girls loved being beautiful. Sometimes, when Candice looked at the scar on her belly, she felt


    some regret. But whenever she thought of how adorable Ellis was, she felt that it didn’t matter


    anymore.


    So, she was even more determined to protect Ellis and not let her be discovered by Alex.


    The Elysian family was ruthless. She had experienced it, and it was best if the Elysian family never


    knew of Ellis’ existence.


    Candice''s attention was all on Ellis, so she didn’t notice that Alex had alreadye downstairs.


    He exuded a cold aura, his steps light, and the corner of his eye seemed to casually sweep over


    them.


    Candice thought he was going to look at Ellis, so she moved a little closer to her. In Alex''s eyes,


    however, it seemed like she was actively hiding behind Hanley, deliberately avoiding him.


    Alex''s eyes turned cold, and he left.


    Candice breathed a sigh of relief, hesitating as she looked at Ellis, who was still sleeping soundly.


    She asked Hanley in a low voice, "Do you think I should go back now?"


    She was a little afraid of Alex being in the same ce as Ellis. Even if nothing had happened, she


    was still nervous.


    "It''s still under maintenance now. It''s not convenient for you to go back, and it would be even


    stranger if you deliberately took her back," Hanley said. "Don''t scare yourself. If Alex recognized


    her, he wouldn''t react like that."


    That made sense.


    And Ellis was only a few months old now, so her appearance was not very distinctive. At least


    Candice could not tell who she looked like, she was just chubby and very cute.


    Hanley''s voice was deep, with aforting tone. "It''s okay, I''m here."


    -


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


    Due to the circuit maintenance, the entire vi area was pitch ck, except for the streetmps and


    the vi where Alex and others were. Apart from them, there were other tourists in the park, some of


    whom were walking around with shlights from their tour groups, creating a good atmosphere.


    While Sieg and his friends were barbecuing, Yana brought Candice a skewer that she had grilled


    herself, and it tasted pretty good.


    Sieg leaned on the table nearby and asked Yana, "Is there anyone like you, being a mom and


    ying outside while your child is sleeping inside?"


    Yana was embarrassed. She really had forgotten that she needed to take on the role of Ellis'' mother


    and look after her well. She looked at Candice for help.


    "The child is already asleep," Candice said.


    "Heh, someone who didn''t know would think Candice is the mother." Sieg said it casually, but he


    didn’t expect Candice and Yana''s expressions to change.


    Candice was still able to remain calm. She grabbed Yana and gestured for her not to speak. Yana


    red at Sieg, then turned and walked away.


    The yard was not very big, so with over a dozen people crowded in, it was a bit cramped.


    After Sieg followed Yana away, Candice suddenly realized that Alex was sitting there, but she hadn’t


    noticed because her line of sight was blocked by a small flower bed. Her heart clenched, unsure if


    Alex had heard what had just been said.


    The barbecue was lively, and the atmosphere was somewhat active. Candice, who didn’t


    particrly like barbecued food, also ate quite a bit under Yana''s persuasion.


    Yana handed her another skewer, but Candice refused, saying, "No, I can''t eat anymore."


    "Give this to Hanley, this skewer is a bit burnt," Yana said. She had enjoyed the feeling of being a


    barbecue chef and gradually became the main cook.


    Candice took the skewer of pork belly and went to find Hanley, but the area was crowded with most


    of the people close together.


    Hanley was standing next to a flower bed talking to Ryan. Candice walked over with the skewer.


    When she was about to reach the flower bed, an explosion sounded at her feet. Startled, Candice


    leapt away. She bumped into someone, and another explosion sounded.


    The sudden explosions were very frightening. Candice''s mind went nk, and her legs felt weak.


    Her face turned pale. She could feel that the explosions were happening under her feet.


    Candice already had poor vision, and now she was startled everything seemed like a blur. This


    overwhelming fear made her panic and run forward blindly.


    Then, the next moment, she felt someone hugging her shoulders and she fell directly onto


    someone.


    She heard the muffled groan of the person and the sound of gasping for air.


    For a while, the explosions in her ears stopped, reced by even louder cries of rm.


    When someone pulled Candice up, her body was still weak. Her heart was racing from the feeling of


    gunpowder exploding next to her ear.


    Only then did she see clearly that Hanley was under her, and he had collided with the small flower


    bed behind him. The edge of the flower bed was designed with a staggered and angr shape to


    look aesthetically pleasing.


    It seemed that he had been injured. His sleeve had several holes burned into it, and his originally


    white skin was now bloody with two joints injured.


    -


    Hanley was rushed to the clinic in the scenic area overnight. His waist, hands, and elbows were all


    injured to varying degrees from hitting the flower bed. In addition to the joints, there were also


    several abrasions on his arm.


    The young men brought over by Sieg had found some firecrackers and fireworks from god knows


    where. Originally, they had wanted to y a prank on Sieg, but one of them slipped and had thrown


    it at Candice''s feet.


    Once he started, the others followed suit.


    Candice had almost fallen in her fright, and would have hit her head on the flower bed if Hanley


    hadn’t reacted quickly, protecting her in his arms and preventing any harm from befalling her.


    Candice sat in front of the hospital bed, a little worried. "It''s toote to go down the mountain now.


    Let''s go down tomorrow and go to arger hospital for a checkup."


    She actually felt a little guilty. After all, if Hanley had not pulled her away, he wouldn’t have been


    hurt.


    Hanley didn’t answer. He looked out the window and reminded Candice, "Look outside."


    Candice followed his words and looked over, just in time to see fireworks exploding in the sky,


    lighting up the entire sky.


    Hanley put his uninjured hand against Candice''s face, wiped away the dust that had stuck to her


    face for some time, and then said, "It''s a new year, Candice."


    At the door, Alex happened toe in and saw Hanley''s hand still touching Candice''s face.


    And Candice with a smile in her eyes.