Chapter 0534


    Alex had a naturally captivating voice. When he spoke in a softer tone, it was even more pleasing to


    the ear.


    He looked deeply at Candice and shared, "I''ve partnered with Darius, so I''ll be around here more


    often now."


    Candice had already heard about this from Darius, but she hadn''t expected Alex to show up in


    person.


    She nced down and replied quietly, "That''s between you two."


    She then walked away with Ellis cradled in her arms. The little girl nced back at Alex and


    murmured something softly.


    Candice didn''t bother to listen further. She silently took Ellis home, where she called for the nanny,


    paid her wages, and asked her to leave.


    Mrs. Robinson, being gullible, had let Ellis interact with strangers and even hidden it from Candice.


    Candice didn''t want someone like that around Ellis, considering the toddler''s safety.


    As the maid tried to exin while leaving, Candice remained firm.


    Mrs. Robinson became a bit upset. She argued, "I just thought it must be tough for Ms. Renault to


    raise a child alone. Given that man''s striking resemnce to Little Mulberry''s father, I reasoned...


    I''m just trying to help you. Growing up in a single-parent household isn''t ideal for the child, after all."


    Her words made Candice ufortable. She simply insisted that the nanny leave.


    However, as Candice watched Ellis y on the sofa, she couldn''t help but think back to her own


    childhood.


    After her parents'' divorce, she lived with her grandfather. The neighbors knew about her


    situation, and she could always feel their sympathetic nces.


    At that time, Candice felt hurt. She often wondered why she was the only one without parents, but


    eventually, she stopped dwelling on it.


    Yet the scars of sensitivity andck of love were deeply ingrained in her. It was hard to change at


    this point in her life.


    Ellis remained unaware of her thoughts, happily ying with her toys.


    When Candice got to the office the next morning, she spotted Lauren by the door who gave her a


    wink.


    Lauren asked, "Hey, why are you just arriving now?"


    Candice asked, "What''s up?"


    "Someone''s been asking for you. He showed up early and has been waiting like a statue ever


    since."


    Candice was taken aback. She followed Lauren inside, and she saw Alex standing at the entrance.


    As he noticed Candice, he seemed a bit nervous and said, "Morning."


    Candice nced at him, her face unreadable, and said, "You didn''t have toe this early for a


    handover."


    Alex took out a food container and carefully ced it in front of Candice. He exined, "I didn''t


    come for the handover; I brought you breakfast."


    Candice didn''t even spare a nce at the box. Her tone was icy as she said, "If it''s not work-rted,


    don''t bother me. This is a workce, not a hangout spot for random people."


    "Candy, I—"


    Candice cut him off expressionlessly, "Mr. Elysian, if there''s nothing else, please leave."


    Alex had to bite back his words. He looked at the food container on the table, then back at Candice.


    He said, "I''m here to handle something work-rted."


    His voice softened, "But could you at least eat something first? I made it myself. It''s your favorite."


    As soon as he finished, Candice turned and entered her office.


    Alex took a deep breath and followed her in. He knew he had hurt Candice deeply in the past, and


    she wouldn''t be quick to forgive him. But that was okay; he was willing to take things slow.


    Candice watched Alex enter her office. She feltposed, but she made it clear that aside from


    work, she didn''t want to engage with him. Her demeanor was both distant and firm.


    Even though Alex wanted to say more, he held himself back.


    After they finished their tasks, he called out to her softly, "Candy."


    Candice raised her eyes. Her gaze was sharp and chilly.


    Alex hesitated for a moment, then corrected himself, saying, "Ms. Renault, would you like to join me


    for lunch?"


    Candice simply shook her head and replied, "No."


    "I''ve heard from Lauren that you often get so busy that you neglect everything. Don''t forget that you


    have a weak stomach."


    A hint of emotion flickered in Candice''s eyes before she looked up. She said softly, "I''ve handled


    many busy days at Aether Corporation. I''m not going to starve myself here."


    What she said was true. There were days back then when she was so swamped with work that she


    didn''t even have time to eat.


    During those times, Alex was always around. Why hadn''t he shown any concern back then?


    The light in Alex''s eyes dimmed instantly. He dropped his gaze and murmured, "I''m sorry. I should


    have..."


    "You can go now," Candice interrupted.


    She didn''t want to hear Alex reminisce about the past and then offer a heartfelt apology.


    Could his apologies erase the hurt he had caused? No, they couldn''t.


    On the contrary, they would only remind Candice of the suffocating days of the past. Those were


    days she had no desire to revisit.


    When Alex left Candice''s office, Lauren handed him the food container he had brought.


    She said sympathetically, "Candice just called me. She asked me to remind you to take your things


    away and not to send anything else in the future."


    Alex took the food container without saying a word and left.


    Lauren watched him go with a hint of regret in her eyes.


    Such a handsome man, she thought. It''s a shame he was already taken; otherwise, I would


    definitely make a move.


    Work had been overwhelming Candicetely, but now, she could finally rx.


    These employees were recruited by Darius. Most of them were top students from prestigious


    universities around the world, ustomed to foreign education that typically could not ept


    overtime.


    So, Candice used to stayte to finish tasks that weren''tpleted, but nowadays, things were


    slowly getting back on track.


    As Candice was getting ready to leave, Lauren was still there.


    Seeing Candice, Lauren whistled and asked, "Finally decided not to work overtime today?"


    "I''ve caught up with the schedule," Candice replied.


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    "That''s good," Lauren said. "I wanted to remind you not to stayte these days. It''s safer to go home


    earlier. There have been some cases of stalking in the nearby areastely, and it''s all over the


    news."


    Leaving the office, Candice saw Alex waiting for her outside.


    He was tall and stood out even in foreign countries where tall people weremon. He didn''t look


    frail; instead, he had an extra sense of cultured grace and nobility.


    He was holding a bunch of flowers and walked toward Candice. Alex said, "I saw a kid selling these


    flowers. He asked if I wanted to buy them, so I did."


    Alex paused before continuing, "They''ve received allergy treatment."


    Candice nced at the flowers and said, "Then you should keep them."


    "I think these flowers really match the color of your clothes today," Alex said. "I have no other


    intention but to think you would look great holding them."


    He didn''t dare say he had bought the flowers for her, knowing she would definitely reject them. Alex


    wasn''t the eloquent type, and his intention had been exposed within a few words.


    Holding the flowers, Alex was somewhat nervous.