Patrick saw two people leaving before helping Candice sit on the sofa. He brought the household first aid kit and began to dress Candice’s wound once iodine touched the cut on her hand. The woman took a light breath and pulled her hand back.


    “I’ll be gentle; it might sting a bit,” Patrick said, concerned as he carefully disinfected and bandaged Candice’s wound. “They’ve been here for a while. Did they trouble you too much?”


    Seeing Patrick’s care, Candice felt even happier. As for the man’s words, she nodded obediently, “Your mother and cousin just arrived… they are here for your good, and their words don’t bother me.”


    Patrick visibly suppressed a frown, pondered for a moment, then said, “Next time theye, you don’t have to worry or bother. Just call me.”Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Candice smiled, delighted by Patrick’s concern, and nodded with a touch of coyness, “Okay.”


    For her, being with Patrick now was a done deal. After the wedding, what could Antony do to her?


    Not long after Patrick finished bandaging Candice, his phone rang. ncing at the screen, his expression turned serious. He answered in session, “Yes, okay, I understand. I’ll be back right away.”


    “What’s wrong? Is something the matter?” Candice asked with concern.


    Patrick stood up, reassuring her, “It’s nothing. There’s a bit of an issue at thepany; I need to go back. Wait for me here; I’ll be back soon.”


    Candice nodded, “Okay.”


    At the Pansy family’s old residence:


    Mike sat sternly on the sofa, the butler standing nearby, trying to console him, “Mr. Pansy, don’t be angry. Wait for Patrick toe back and rify.”


    Mike had just called Patrick. The media was widely publicizing Patrick’s “abandonment” of Jane to marry Candice, and he had seen it all.


    He was furious.


    Except for Jane, he acknowledged no one! Especially hearing that Candice was a singer from a bar, how could such a womanpare to Jane?


    He had to ask Patrick for an exnation!


    As the butler spoke, Patrick entered from outside, immediately noticing Mike’s displeasure. Patrick remained calm, walked up to him, nodded slightly, and gently asked, “Grandpa, is there something you need from me?”


    “What do you think!” Mike pped the newspaper on the table. The front page featured aposite photo of Candice and Patrick with the bold headline, “After Jane, herees Candice. Where does the heart of Pansy Group’s CEO lie?”


    Pointing at the newspaper’s headline, Mike, looking at his grandson, asked sternly, “What’s going on between you and this woman? Why aren’t you marrying Jane?”


    Patrick smiled helplessly, shook his head slightly, and reached out to pat Mike on the back, trying to calm him. “Grandpa, don’t be angry. Jane and I discussed this.”


    “Discussed?” Mike, originally very angry, couldn’t understand why Patrick would give up such a good girl like Jane for a woman of unclear background when he heard Patrick’s words. “Yes, this is our n, Grandpa. Please listen to me…”


    …


    After listening to Patrick exin his n to use Candice to lure out the “big fish,” Mike finally breathed a sigh of relief. He patted Patrick on the shoulder and said, “So, that’s the n you two came up with. Well, then, I can rest easy.”


    Mike paused again, pointing at Patrick with a stern warning, “But let me tell you, Patrick, even though it’s acting, you must not let Jane down. She’s a good girl.”


    “I know, Grandpa,” Patrick also sighed in relief. Listening to Mike talk about Jane, he looked at the old man seriously and said sincerely, “She is the one I’ve decided to spend my life with. I won’t let her down.”


    Mike’s expression softened a bit, nodding in satisfaction,pletely reassured.


    Seeing this, Patrick knew there was no need for further exnation. After sitting with Mike for a while, he hurried back to the Water Moon Community.


    When Candice saw Patrick return, she happily went to greet him, linking her arm with his and guiding him to the sofa. She then went to the kitchen, brought a te of freshly cut oranges, and ced it on the coffee table.


    “Patrick, you work so hard at thepany every day. Have some fruits to soothe your throat. What would you like for dinner? I’ll cook for you.”


    Seeing her bustling around, Patrick smiled again, pulled Candice to sit beside him, and reassured her, “Your hands are injured; you don’t have to cook tonight. And, by the way – there’s no harm in being attentive, but is there something you want to tell me?”


    Candice couldn’t help butugh, looking like someone caught in the act. Nestling next to Patrick, she said, “Patrick, I made an appointment with a high-end bridal shop just now. Since our wedding is approaching, I want to try on wedding dresses. Do you have time tomorrow to apany me?”


    Her eyes sparkled with anticipation when she looked at him.


    Patrick let out a sigh, and the smile on his lips faded slightly. Trying on wedding dresses with a girlfriend was something he only wanted to do with Jane.


    Sensing his subtle change, Candice, with a pitiful and cautious tone, asked, “Patrick, do you not have time tomorrow?”


    “Work has been busytely. I have two meetings tomorrow,” Patrick said, forcing himself to perk up, rubbing her hair gently, and soothingly continued, “Go by yourself tomorrow. Buy whatever you like while shopping, use this gold card; swipe it as you please.”


    When Candice saw the card, her eyes lit up. She took it, nodded with a smile, and said, “Okay, thank you, Patrick!”


    At the bridal shop:


    On that morning, Candice arrived at the bridal shop and told the receptionist, “Hello, I made an appointment today to try on wedding dresses. I reserved the handmadece wedding dress.”


    “Miss Dillon, right? Please follow me.” The receptionist checked the appointment book, offered a polite smile, and led Candice to the designated wedding dress. The pure white dress hadyers of handcraftedce and was adorned with pearls. The train was three meters long, resembling a princess’s gown from a fairy tale.