Chapter 0504


    The news of Candice giving birth to a daughter couldn''t remain hidden forever. Even if Alex kept


    silent, others who knew would eventually speak up. It was only a matter of time before it reached


    Daniel.


    Alex contemted for a moment. Sawyer reminded him, saying, "Mr. Elysian, Mr. Sui will be visiting


    you shortly."


    The internal conflict within thepany was escting, with the Sui family clearly supporting Alex.


    Employees discussed how they had witnessed sibling rivalry before, but this was the first time they


    had seen a fierce struggle between father and son, akin to a life-and-death battle.


    However, Alex''s situation seemed more dire than mere sibling rivalry.


    Although not widely known, the fact that Oscar was Daniel''s illegitimate son made the situation even


    more tragic. The idea of a father and his illegitimate son conspiring against his legitimate son was


    heartbreaking.


    Sawyer had observed it firsthand.


    If it hadn''t been for Alex''s years of effort in building his ownwork, he would have been


    completely overwhelmed by Daniel and Oscar''s ruthless tactics. To them, it didn''t seem like a family


    dispute but more like dealing with an enemy.


    Candice received a WhatsApp message at night from "Two", someone she hadn''t heard from in a


    long time. It contained just one sentence — Stay safe.


    She nced at it and then deleted the conversation without replying.


    Recently, Ellis had been curious about everything. Just yesterday afternoon, she was excited to see


    children flying kites outside. So, Candice and Hanley decided to take her out to fly a kite early in the


    morning.


    Near the viplex, there was argewn. Hanley bought a small carp-shaped kite, and


    Candice followed with the baby by her side.


    Yana had the day off and decided to join them. She showed up in sportswear, saying, "Cupcake, I''m


    amazing at flying kites. I promise to make the little carp fly high."


    Although the baby didn''t understand, she pped, greatly amusing Yana.


    With spring nearing its end, there weren''t many people flying kites.


    Ellis sat in the stroller, apuding as she watched the kite soar higher and higher in Yana''s hands.


    Hanley came closer and asked, "Why not give it a try?"


    Candice shook her head and replied, "Mulberry is still here."


    "You think I''d sneak her away?" he teased. "Actually, I''m taking you out today to help you unwind."


    Since meeting with Daniel yesterday, Candice had been feeling down.


    They all knew how much Daniel had affected Candice.


    The night before, Candice hadn''t slept well; her mind was filled with jumbled thoughts. She knew


    she couldn''t stay so tense; she needed to rx, or she''d exhaust herself before Daniel even made


    a move.


    However, kite flying turned out to be quite taxing. After a while, both she and Yana felt sore.


    Yana said, "Hang on, I''m going to grab the camera. This kite took so much effort to fly this high."


    Candice was handling the kite alone when a warm hand covered the back of hers. Hanley smoothly


    took over the kite line and said, "Let me."


    She nced up slightly.


    Hanley was gazing up at the kite in the sky. Even from that angle, he looked handsome.


    With a camera in hand, Yana approached from behind. She sneakily snapped a photo and inwardly


    remarked on how good-looking people really did have an advantage.


    Then, she went over to Ellis and said cheerfully, "Stay still, you two. I''ll take a photo of the three of


    you. One, two, three, look here!"


    Theirughter and yful banter could be heard from a Maybach parked outside.


    Alex watched nkly from the car as the figures on thewnughed and yed. They appeared


    very much like a family.


    Candice and Hanley stood close together with Hanley holding Ellis in his arms. The baby was not


    shy at all. She clung to Hanley''s neck and seemed overjoyed.


    That smile tugged at Alex''s heartstrings. He struggled to maintainposure as he stepped out of


    the car and made his way toward them.


    Candice was busy adjusting Ellis''s clothes when she spotted Alex. Her smile vanished the moment


    sheid eyes on him.


    Noticing Alex, Hanley instinctively positioned himself in front of Candice.


    Alex''s expression darkened at this protective gesture. The atmosphere grew tense, except for the


    baby in Hanley''s arms, who looked around and beamed at Alex.


    Caught off guard, Alex felt a sudden surge of tenderness in his heart. He was about to reach out to


    her when Hanley turned the baby''s face away.


    Before Alex could say anything, Candice''s voice, cold and guarded, broke the silence. She


    demanded, "What are you doing here?"


    Her cautious eyes momentarily silenced Alex''s initial anger.


    "I need to talk to you," he said.


    Candice was blunt in her response. "I don''t want to hear it."


    Though bitter, Alex persisted, "I heard you went to see Daniel yesterday."


    Candice nced at him, then turned to Hanley. "Can you wait with Mulberry for a moment? I need


    to talk to him."


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    After exchanging a nce with Alex, Hanley nodded. "Sure. Just call me if you need anything."


    Alex had a self-mocking smile on his face. Candice was sopliant with Hanley, just as she used


    to be with him. There was a time when she was obedient and gentle toward him. She never shot


    him cold res, even when she was upset.


    When did everything change? Alex dared not dwell on it.


    "What did you want to tell me?"


    Candice''s icy tone snapped Alex out of his thoughts. She stood before him, her expression


    impassive.


    Taking a moment to collect himself, Alex spoke, "You met with Daniel yesterday, didn''t you? He''s


    aware of Mulberry now. Sooner orter, he''lle after you."


    His voice dripped with disdain when mentioning Daniel, a fact that was hard for Candice to ignore.


    "I can''t always keep track of what''s happening on your end," Alex continued. "So, if he tries to


    arrange another meeting, don''t agree. And try to limit your interactions with Oscar."


    After delivering his message, Candice asked, "Is that all?"


    Alex looked at her, and she said, "If that''s it, I''m leaving."


    "Candice." Alex reached out and grasped her wrist, his voice firm. "I''m serious."


    Candice nced at her wrist in his grip and responded softly, "I never doubted that."


    "But what''s the point?" She scoffed, pushing back. "Do you think avoiding Daniel will solve


    everything? He has countless ways to find me, doesn''t he?"


    Alex pursed his lips, remaining silent.


    Candice''s eyes shed with scorn as she pulled her hand away. "Don''t waste your time with such


    nonsense, and stop treating me like a fool."


    She took a few steps away before pausing. Turning back, she added, "And stop sending me


    messages from your alternate WhatsApp ount. It''s childish and pathetic. I''m not interested in


    whether you''re one or two."


    The "Two" in Candice''s WhatsApp contacts, whom she had asked around before, were unknown to


    anydies in South City.