Chapter 0497


    Until she left the hospital, Candice didn''t dare to dwell on the meaning behind Alex''s words. She


    always felt that there was some deeper implication but didn''t dare to think of the worst.


    When she hurried back to the hotel and saw Ellis ying with Yana, she finally breathed a sigh of


    relief.


    Yana was curious. "Why do you look so anxious? Is someone chasing after you?"


    Candice went over and hugged Ellis, nting a kiss on her cheek. Ellis immediately giggled and


    leaned in closer.


    "Oh, by the way," Yana said, "I have a reminder for you. William''s brother asked around about you. I


    think he probably hit a wall with Alex''s side and wants to find you."


    Candice furrowed her brows when hearing this. "What does he want me to do?"


    "I don''t know. Just be careful. William is not a good person, and his brother is probably even worse."


    Yana wasn''t wrong. It''s always good to be careful.


    That evening, she received a call from William''s brother, who sounded aggressive and demanded to


    meet with her.


    Candice had just put Ellis to sleep. She answered the call on the balcony and tly refused.


    The other side was clearly displeased, "Ms. Renault, this matter started because of you. Don''t you


    think you should take responsibility?"


    Candice felt this was chop logic. It had clearly been William looking for trouble, but he managed to


    rope her into it, and now she was expected to take responsibility.


    She couldn''t help but retort, "May I ask what responsibility I need to take?"


    "William is in trouble, Alex is injured, and yet you, out of the three, came out unscathed." The tone


    of the person on the other end was contemptuous. "Ms. Renault, I heard you''re doing quite well in


    South City. I suppose you''re aware of the Zanford family''s position there."


    This was already a tant threat. Candice pinched her nose bridge.


    If she wanted to continue developing in South City, she couldn''t afford to offend the Zanford family.


    -


    Unexpectedly, after William’s brother contacted her, Helen also reached out to her.


    Helen was still as arrogant as ever when she came to see her. She tossed a document in front of


    Candice. "I don''t care what you said to Alex, but he and the Zanford family can''t fall out."


    Candice looked at Helen, but Helen pointed at the document in front of her.


    "Alex is not relenting now. He insists on sending William to prison. Do you know he was previously


    trying to cooperate with the Zanford family?"


    Recently, Alex had indeed been getting closer to William. Helen had considered the possibility of


    cooperation.


    However, Candice looked at Helen and said, "Alex handled William''s matter on his own. What does


    it have to do with me? If you''re looking for someone to me, it should be Alex."


    Helen mmed the table abruptly, frowning as if she was about to utter some sharp words like she


    used to.


    However, after a while, she pinched her nose, her face full of weariness. "Candice, spare Alex. If he


    loses the Zanford family, it''s like losing Aether Corporation."


    This was the first time Helen had spoken to Candice in this tone. Her weariness overshadowed her


    sharpness, making her finally look her age.


    Candice''s gaze darkened. "You''re mistaken. It''s him who should spare me."


    She had given Alex the best years of her life.


    At first, there were sweet moments. Even though Alex was quite cold, he was always different with


    herpared to others. He would remember her preferences, worry about her night blindness, and


    taught her many things.


    But when did it change? Why did they be strangers?


    Candice had never seriously thought about this question because it would make her unbearably


    sad.


    Before leaving, she returned the document to Helen without saying anything.


    She couldn''t reconcile with Helen. Someone who had humiliated her like that, Candice couldn''t


    bring herself to treat her with kindness again.


    Once upon a time, she was naive, always enduring for Alex’s sake. But now, she didn’t even care


    about Alex, let alone Helen.


    Even though Helen had specially reminded her before the incident, and the one who was originally


    going to harm her was Daniel, the one who had humiliated and oppressed her countless times was


    Helen.


    The one who yed with her was Alex.


    Why should she be grateful to the Elysian family?


    When Candice left, she settled the bill at the front desk before leaving. The sunshine outside was


    lovely, and the air was fresh.


    Hanley''s call came just at the right time. His voice carried a smile. "The weather in Newton City is


    great today."


    "It''s not bad in Dorrington City either," she replied.


    "It seems so coincidental."


    As Candice leisurely walked down the street, the difort caused by Helen gradually dissipated.


    She listened as Hanley talked about his mother''s improving condition.


    Candice was also happy. This happiness intensified when she heard Hanley say he could return to


    the country early. "Why are you suddenly returning to the country ahead of schedule?"


    "Well, there''s something important that needs to be taken care of back home," he said. In the


    hospital corridor, Hanley looked at the night sky outside, unable to hide the smile in his eyes.


    Yana had just sent him a message, reminding him that Candice''s birthday wasing up soon.


    He regretted missing the birthday surprise Candice had arranged for him. He thought he should


    make it up to her with an even grander one.


    Candice waspletely unaware of Hanley''s ns. She didn''t really celebrate birthdays. Only


    when she was a child and still lived with her parents did she anticipate her birthday. But after


    Yvonne''s divorce, no one remembered her birthday anymore.


    She found it uninteresting and had gradually stopped celebrating.


    Alex used to celebrate with her, but as their rtionship faded, they stopped bothering.


    Subconsciously, Candice felt that celebrating birthdays was probably not a lucky thing. After all,


    everyone who celebrated her birthday eventually drifted away. So every time Yana and others


    asked, she would be evasive, saying she didn''t like big celebrations.


    -


    When Alex mentioned taking Ellis to the hospital for a check-up, Candice had initially intended to


    just listen and pass, but she didn''t expect the pediatrician from the hospital to call her directly.


    The medical standards in Dorrington were very high, and the doctor also emphasized the severity of


    infant allergies. Candice felt a sense of dread just listening, so she arranged to go to the hospital


    with Yana and Ellis.


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


    Yana felt guilty towards Ellis after thest incident, so this time, she brought things like pepper spray


    and an electric baton in her bag, saying she must protect Ellis well.


    Candice felt she was being too paranoid as she carried Ellis and walked towards the consultation


    room.


    As soon as they entered, they saw a tall figure sitting inside.


    Alex wore a hospital gown over a beige trench coat, looking gentle.


    He didn''t say anything when he saw Candice and Ellis, just silently watched as the doctor examined


    Ellis. When it came time to draw blood, as soon as he heard Ellis cry, his brows immediately


    furrowed, and he sternly said, "Be gentle!"


    The doctor, being his friend, was a bit speechless. "Why are you scolding me? Is she your


    daughter?"


    Candice listened on the side, her heart skipping a beat.