Chapter 63


    The unexpected encounter took Hanley by surprise. Raising his eyebrows, he approached her and


    inquired, “You seem quite taken with artistic nning, don’t you?”


    Responding with a smile, Candice remarked, “It’s quite the coincidence running into you here.”


    Hanley, maintaining his cool demeanor, rified, “It’s not so much a coincidence. I’m overseeing this


    exhibition.”


    He gestured toward the painting behind Candice and exined, “Today marks the opening of the


    exhibition, and you happen to be the first guest. We have to close the gallery, though. I need to make


    some adjustments to the positioning of this artwork.”


    Candice looked at the indicated painting but could not identify any issues. Curious, she asked, “What


    adjustments are necessary?”


    “The lighting,” Hanley nced at her. “Different lighting can evoke varied emotions from the artwork.”


    Candice, intrigued by this concept, repeated thoughtfully, “So, even objects can embody emotions?”


    Not wanting to interfere with Hanley’s task, she decided to leave.


    However, Hanley stopped her, saying, “Hey, you can keep exploring. I just need to adjust this particr


    piece.”


    She took another round inside.


    As Candice made another round through the gallery, Hanley was done with the alterations.


    She discovered that the painting indeed felt different from before. The shift was slight yet evident–a


    very subtle sensation.


    Exiting the exhibition hall around 7 p.m., night had already enveloped the sky.


    She checked her phone, finding no messages from Alex. Apparently, her employer did not care where


    she went. She tucked her phone back into her bag. “Do you live nearby? I can give you a lift,” Hanley


    said, interrupting her daze.


    Candice politely declined, “No, thank you. I’ll just hail a cab.”


    Hanley noted, “Cabs are hard toe by in this area at this hour.”


    He insisted on driving Candice back to the hotel.


    Upon arriving, Candice recalled her unfulfilled promise to take him out to supper, but he had to be


    elsewhere.


    “Maybe next time,” she responded rather regretfully.


    As soon as she stepped out of the car, she saw Nina exiting another vehicle, with Alex close behind.


    She was surprised to see Candice. An icyment followed, “Ms. Renault, it was quite bold of you to


    leave the boss like that.”


    Alex passed past Candice and gave her a cold look before continuing on his way.


    Candice stood still, momentarily frozen, only returning to her senses when Hanley’s soft voice called


    out to her.


    She promptly apologized in hushed tones.


    Hanley’s hands still gripping the steering wheel, nced at Candice with a furrowed brow and offered,


    “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. Jackson asked me to keep an eye on you.”


    Realizing Hanley’s kind gesture was due to Jackson’s request, she gratefully declined and made her


    way back to the hotel.


    Reaching her floor, she was surprised to find Alex waiting outside her hotel room.


    He noticed her arrival and emotionlessly instructed, “Open the door.”


    Candice quietly obeyed.


    Alex took the initiative to enter the room.


    Once inside, with Alex maintaining his silence, Candice broke the ice, “Is there something you need?”


    Alex’s cold and piercing eyes met hers as he questioned her sharply, “Have I been too soft on you?”


    The chill in his tone and the icy gaze caused Candice to involuntarily shudder.


    “Do you want to resign? Can you afford the breach of contract fee?” Alex mocked her after a brief


    pause,


    Candice responded hoarsely, “I know.”


    “Stop acting out if you can’t afford it!”


    His warning snapped her back to reality.


    Obviously, she could not afford the cost of breaching her contract, obliging her to remain submissively


    by his side. Was she, however, acting out?


    Candice moved her lips slightly but ultimately opted not to respond to him. After all, if Alex thought she


    was acting out, she probably was.


    The room fell silent when the conversation concluded. She was expecting Alex to


    leave.


    Contrary to her expectations, Alex began to unbutton his shirt, showing no signs of departure.


    She stayed on the bed for a time, unable to urge him to leave due to the recent reminder about the


    vition of the contract.


    Candice retreated to the bathroom with her nightgown, secretly hoping Alex had left by the time she


    emerged from the bathroom.


    It was unfortunate that he was still there when she exited the shower.


    Her hair was damp and unkempt as she wrapped it in the hotel bathrobe.


    He seemed rxed and casually asked, “Have you slept with anyone else recently?


    Candice was taken aback, “What did you just say?”


    He coolly named a few individuals, “Jackson, Marc, or the man who drove you back today.


    Have you been intimate with any of them?”


    Candice was left in shock by his usations, as if all her blood had turned to ice.


    Alex pressed on emotionlessly, “Answer me.”


    She struggled to find the right term and finally asked in a shaking voice, “Do you really think of me that


    way?”


    He seemed unconcerned about her feelings, examining her before adding calmly, “Haven’t you?”


    Unable to defend herself, Candice mped her mouth shut.


    Alex approached her, his hold on her chin icy as he dered sternly, “It’s better if you haven’t. You


    know my disdain for filthy things.”


    As Alex’s firm grip forced Candice to meet his gaze, a flicker of disdain was visible


    She felt as if arge stone was crushing against her chest, making it difficult to breathe.


    Struggling to speak, Candice mustered her strength and said, “You, of all people, have no right tobel


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    me as filthy.”


    Alex’s reputation as a womanizer was no secret, and he never turned down ady who threw herself at


    him. Sonia awaited him in Dorrington, while Nina remained upstairs.


    Candice felt the pressure increasing under her chin but did not attempt to resist. She stared at him


    instead, her lips pursed.


    However, she didn’t realize that her eyes were turning red, making her look quite aggrieved.


    Alex noticed her distress, but his expression remained frigid, his grip


    intensifying as if attempting to crush her. Through clenched teeth, he spat out, So, who do you consider


    pure? Jackson? Some other man?”


    His grip was too powerful, and the pain made Candice’s face turn pale.


    Losing herposure, she retorted tearfully, “And you? Are you just another


    man I’m


    involved with?”


    After eight years by his side, once perceived as his significant other, she now felt diminished


    to nothing more than an ordinary lover. Everything she had ever worked for before seemed like a p


    in the face.


    Candice bit her lip, closed her eyes, and refused to look at Alex.


    She had previously been so sure of herself, feeling she had a special ce in his heart, but the harsh


    reality dawned on her–she was merely one of his many ythings.