Chapter 41


    Although her voice was soft. Alex and Sonia overheard her words.


    Alex stopped in his tracks.


    Unaware of this, Candice entered the car with Jackson, still clutching the ceramic figure he had given


    her.


    Jackson smiled and added, “I thought you wouldn’t be interested in these things since many people


    find them boring.”


    His handsome and refined appearance, coupled with his gentle voice, quickly brought Candice back to


    the moment.


    Gazing at the figurine, Candice replied, “I’m not familiar with this field, but it’s interesting.”


    “I’d be happy to share what I know,” Jackson responded warmly.


    They headed to the Expo Hall’s ceramic exhibition in the city’s north. By their arrival, it was nearly


    closing, with few visitors remaining.


    Candice, new to ceramics, attentively followed Jackson, listening to his exnation about each piece.


    They stopped before an elegant vase.


    “This is one of my grandfather’s masterpieces,” Jackson said as he looked at the vase tenderly.


    Candice, recalling his grandfather’s passing, did not know what to say. She simply shared his


    admiration for the vase and eventually nodded in agreement, “It’s truly stunning.”


    He broke into a smile. Unlike his typical faint smile, this one was ge


    genuine.


    “If this interests you, we could explore more such pieces another time.”


    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Following their departure from the exhibition, it was time for dinner.


    Just as Jackson was about to invite Candice to dine, he got a call from a friend.


    His friend informed him of something, and he turned to Candice with an apologetic look, suggesting.


    “There’s a birthday party for a friend at a bar close by: would you like toe?”


    Unfamiliar with Jackson’s acquaintances, Candice declined, “I’ll just grab a taxi home.”


    “It won’t take long; we’ll leave soon after,” Jackson said with a helpless gesture, adding, “If I show up


    alone, they’ll insist I drink.”


    Candice knew Jackson and Alex’s circles did not intersect much due to their differing personalities. So,


    she was taken aback to find Alex at the bar.


    Upon arrival, she paused at the private room’s entrance, telling Jackson she had returned from the


    restroom shortly.


    Coming out of the restroom, she unexpectedly bumped into Alex.


    She came to a standstill, unsure about how to greet him, but Alex broke the silence. “Did youe


    with


    Jackson?”


    “It’s his friend’s birthday party.” Candice replied. She raised her eyes and asked rhetorically. “And you?


    Are you out here having a good time with Sonia?”


    Maintaining herposure, she showed no sign of difort, as if she were engaging in a casual


    conversation with Alex.


    Alex gazed at her briefly before looking away nonchntly with a grunt. He then moved past her.


    Candice re-entered the private room soon after Alex, and she was not surprised by the scene unfolding


    before


    her eyes.


    She took a seat beside Jackson, whispering, “If you decide to drink, I can drive you home.”


    The private room was noisy, making it hard to hear conversations. Candice was very close to Jackson.


    Right after she had spoken to Jackson, she noticed someone from across the room staring at


    her intently.


    ncing up, she recognized it was Alex.


    He was holding a drink, his face set in a cold expression, looking somewhat alien in the bustling, dimly


    lit


    space-as if disinterested and tired.


    As their eyes met, Candice quickly averted her gaze.


    When she dared to look again, Alex had shifted his attention away, making it seem like the previous


    exchange


    was just her imagination.


    Jackson was good friends with the host. Despite his refusals, he was persistently coaxed to drink, but


    he kept


    declining.


    Turning to Candice with a helpless look, he said to the others, “I need to drive her hometer.”


    The room buzzed with more people urging him to drink.


    Candice reassured Jackson, “It’s fine: you can drink. I’ll just call a taxi for us if needed.”.


    But Jackson firmly shook his head, insisting, “I promised to drive you home.”


    She did not press further.


    Since Candice was not acquainted with the others, nobody seemed inclined to bother her.


    It was dull to just sit around and drink all night, so Sieg proposed they y a game after some time.


    People began to assemble around the table.


    While Candice was conversing with Jackson, she noticed someone sitting next to her.


    Turning, she saw Alex and Sonia had joined her.


    Sieg brought a deck of cards to the table, spreading them out and suggesting, “How about King’s


    Game? It’s pretty straightforward, right?”


    It was indeed a basic game.


    Candice shuffled the cards and drew one, but she didn’t get the King of Spades, which was the


    highest-


    ranking card in this game.


    Looking at the card in her hand, she silently picked up her cup and sipped her juice, thinking she’d


    merely be


    an observer, until…


    “I want. The King of Clubs!” Sieg called out. He held up his own card, which was the King of Spades,


    meaning he would give the order that everyone else had to follow. Looking for some thrill, he


    deliberately dragged out his voice as he nced around the room.


    Candice momentarily froze, cup in hand.


    She was holding the King of Clubs.


    “Choose to drink with and kiss either the 3 of Diamonds or the 8 of Hearts!”


    This request was by far the most daring one so far, and everyone began to look around to see who


    these three people were.


    Candice set her cup down, cing her card on the table. Her tone wasposed as she disclosed. “I


    have the


    King of Clubs.”


    Her drawing on this card was an unexpected twist. The atmosphere became even more lively, but


    before the cheers could escte, Jackson, seated beside Candice, let out a sigh.


    “Candy, you’re really lucky.”


    After his remark, Jackson revealed his card, announcing, “I have the 3 of Diamonds.”


    Sieg was quick to whistle and jest, “Jack, I can’t help you with this: just go for the kiss; I’ll keep an eye


    out for


    you.”


    Unperturbed, Candice pointed out, “What about the 8 of Hearts?”


    Azy, cool voice interjected from the side. “That’s mine.”


    Candice hesitated, then turned to see Alex beside her, holding the 8 of Hearts.


    Alex casually tossed his card on the table, his gaze icily sweeping across the group before he reclined


    on the sofa once more.


    The private room fell silent; all eyes were on Candice.


    Sonia was visibly upset with the situation. She tugged at Alex’s sleeve, whispering. “Lex…”


    “What’s up?” Alex inquired, turning to her.


    Sonia shot another look at Candice, then dropped her gaze, murmuring, “I don’t want to interfere with


    your


    The undertone of grievance and implication was clear to everyone present.


    Before Candice could respond, Alex drew Sonia close, then casually flipped the cards on the table,


    saying indifferently, “Don’t pick me. Dealing with a jealous girlfriend is tricky.”


    This sparked immediate teasing andughter from the group.


    Sieg yfully chided, “Lex, just admit you’re under her thumb. I’ve never seen you so chaste before.”


    Alex retorted, “Until now, no one was worth being chaste for.”


    Candice’s brows twitched. She grabbed her drink and, turning to Sieg, said calmly, “I’ll take three drinks


    as my penalty. Let’s move past this round.”


    While Sieg was lenient with Alex, he was less so with Candice. Heined, “Candice, you’re no


    fun. Can’t you y along without Alex?”