Chapter 0502


    Candice''s birthday celebration was lively, extending into thete hours of the night. Holding the


    exhausted Ellis, Candice was ready to head home. Ellis had already dozed off.


    "Let me take her," Hanley offered softly.


    The scent of barbecue lingered in the air. Hanley was not fond of greasy food, and he hadn''t eaten


    much, leaving his clothes free of the smoky aroma.


    Ellis had grown heavier over the past three months, making it challenging for Candice to carry her


    for an extended period. Grateful for Hanley''s offer, she handed the baby to him.


    "How did she get so heavy in just three months?" Hanley remarked.


    "You''ve noticed it''s been three months," Yana interjected as she rejoined them. "In that time, flowers


    could have withered. You took forever toe back. Mulberry might not be the only one who''s


    changed; she could have gotten a new sibling by now."


    Yana''s words slipped out as she had been drinking, causing Candice to feel embarrassed, but


    Hanley simply chuckled.


    "What''s so funny?" Candice questioned him, shooting him a re.


    "I''m just grateful the flowers haven''t wilted," Hanley replied with a lightugh.


    Candice wanted to say something but hesitated, deciding against it.


    A few days after the birthday celebration, Candice''s colleagues had to return to South City to finish


    their unfinished work.


    Candice assumed Hanley would apany them, but he mentioned staying a few more days.


    "Do you still have business to attend to in Dorrington? Last time you returned, you mentioned some


    important matters," Candice asked.


    After a moment''s pause, Hanley responded, "There are some other things, but the most important


    one has been taken care of."


    Candice grunted in response, not pressing further when Hanley didn''t borate.


    After a brief silence, Hanley burst intoughter, his eyes full of resignation as he asked, "Aren''t you


    curious about what the important matter might be?"


    "Is it work-rted or something concerning your family?" Candice asked seriously, her intentions


    genuine.


    Hanley found himself at a loss for words. After a moment''s pause, he sighed and replied, "Apart


    from celebrating your birthday, I can''t think of anything more significant. Candy, you make me feel


    like a fool."


    It was rare for Hanley to joke around. He genuinely felt helpless with Candice and thought she


    would at least ask him about it. Reflecting on his assumption, he couldn''t help butugh at himself.


    Since the day he had met Candice, he should have realized she was all about boundaries, never


    crossing them.


    Candice felt a twinge of embarrassment at hisughter.


    "You''re not foolish, but I didn''t consider that," she admitted.


    Just as she finished speaking, her phone rang.


    The smile vanished from Candice''s face as soon as she answered.


    Daniel''s voice came through the line, asking, "Have you thought about bringing your daughter to


    see me?"


    With just that one sentence, he abruptly ended the call.


    Candice''s expression darkenedpletely. She had been hesitant to reveal her daughter''s


    existence, mainly because of Daniel. If he could be ruthless with her, he could pose a threat to Ellis


    as well.


    Candice wanted to leave as soon as possible because as long as they stayed in Dorrington, there


    was always a chance that he would find them.


    It wasn''t just to avoid William but also to steer clear of Daniel. While Alex and Helen might show


    mercy, Daniel might not.


    Candice''s demeanor turned solemn, her grip on the phone weakening as she struggled to maintain


    herposure.


    Hanley asked, concerned, "What''s the matter?"


    Candice took a moment topose herself before meeting Hanley''s gaze.


    "Daniel wants to meet me," she confessed.


    Daniel''s unexpected call left Candice deeply unsettled. She even briefly entertained the idea of


    buying a ne ticket to leave Dorrington immediately.


    However, she quickly dismissed the thought knowing that Daniel, with the vast resources of the


    Elysians at his disposal, could easily track her down.


    Recalling how Daniel had previously manipted her medical records and orchestrated harm


    against her, Candice knew he was not to be underestimated.


    Jackson had discussed the case with her. Alex''s efforts to confront Daniel and thetter''s resilience


    in the cutthroat business world of Dorrington over a few decades posed a significant threat.


    Despite her concerns, Candice still went to the Aether Corporation''s office the following morning.


    She chose not to bring Ellis along, entrusting Hanley with her care. With someone as dangerous as


    Daniel, Candice couldn''t risk exposing Ellis to him.


    However, Daniel''s in-depth familiarity with Ellis surprised Candice. His familiarity with her daughter


    far exceeded her expectations.


    As she observed the array of photos of Ellis disyed on the office desk, Candice''s eyes widened


    in shock.


    Daniel sat casually behind the desk, amusement evident in his demeanor as he remarked, "Raising


    the child to this age, I underestimated you."


    With a chill running down her spine, Candice realized the gravity of the situation.


    "Is this Alex''s daughter?" Daniel asked, his tone dripping with malice.


    She cast her gaze downward, concealing her emotions before responding, "I''d like to think she''s


    unrted to your family."


    Daniel countered sharply, "She carries Alex''s blood. How can you deny her connection to us?"


    Turning her attention to Oscar beside her, Candice gradually regained herposure. She directed


    her gaze back to Daniel, asking, "It seems like there''s no connection between me and the chairman,


    right?"


    "Haha." Daniel''s piercing gaze bore into Candice. He pressed, "No connection? Did Alex''s support


    give you the courage to speak to me like this? Remember, you were once an employee of Aether


    Corporation. Even if Alex wrested that contract from me, I still have numerous means to teach you a


    lesson."


    His voice carried a hoarse edge, bearing down on Candice with authority and scrutiny, causing her


    difort.


    Daniel seethed with fury. His son''s defiance was palpable. Not only had Alex severed ties with the


    Burgesses, but he had also allied with those in Sris to target Daniel''spany.


    What''s more, Alex had reignited discussions about their past conflict, showing no signs of backing


    down.


    Daniel found it intolerable to have his own son challenge him in this way after dominating the


    businessndscape for decades.


    Internally, he resolved, "Fine! If Alex wants to challenge me, let''s see how capable he truly is."


    Daniel''s frustration intensified as he directed his ire toward Candice. His gaze grew increasingly


    hostile as he attributed me to her for the current situation.


    Reflecting on his past decisions, Daniel acknowledged that when he first discovered Alex''s interest


    in Candice and had been willing to agree to all his demands for her, he should have taken direct


    action to prevent this debacle.


    Daniel''s viciousness became more apparent. However, before he couldsh out, a gentle voice


    interrupted from outside the office, saying, "Chairman, Mr. Snee is waiting for you in the office."N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Oscar entered, wearing a smile, and addressed Candice, "May I speak with Ms. Renault?"