Chapter 129


    Sieg’s stare at Candice was loaded with scorn. He rested his hand on Rolf’s shoulder, voicing his


    displeasure. Lex is in there. Aren’t you able to behave yourself?”


    In the past, Candice would have defended herself against Sieg’s misunderstandings. Now she felt too


    drained to exert effort in countering him.


    She cast a quick nce at Sieg before addressing Rolf, “You wanted me to fetch your coat, right?”


    Rolf Langstaff, as he epted the coat, appeared perplexed. Unacquainted with Sieg and his crowd,


    he hade to the event primarily because of his close ties with Marc.


    Despite this, witnessing Sieg’s demeaning behavior towards Candice, Rolf easily surmised their tense


    rtionship.


    Coming from a family that ran a business, Rolf was keen not to upset Sieg. He clicked his tongue in


    Candice’s direction, chastising her. “Sure, I requested the coat, but I didn’t anticipate you’d soil it. Have


    you stained my


    coat?”


    Candice replied icily, “If you think it is filthy, there’s a garbage bin right there.”


    Taken aback by hereback, Rolf frowned, annoyed that she had belittled him in front of Sieg.


    Rolf scrutinized Candice and remarked coldly. “Walking around in such dirty clothes, you’d be mistaken


    for a


    beggar.”


    The smears of dirt on Candice’s clothes from Sonia were minor, but they stood out against the light–


    colored


    garments.


    She nced at her clothing and, opting not to prolong the interaction, turned to leave.


    Rolf felt she had insulted him. He seized Candice’s arm, his voice stern. “Who said you


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    could go?”


    Her demeanor turned frostier. She opened her mouth to reply, a sharp retort on her tongue, but Sonia’s


    faint cry echoed from the billiards room.


    “Lex, it’s painful.”


    Candice’s eyes flickered in the direction.


    Sieg noticed her distraction. “If you’re curious, why don’t you go inside and check it out?” he taunted.


    No longer restraining herself, Candice snapped. “If I didn’t know about Alex’s preferences, I might


    suspect you


    two were a couple.”


    Sieg’s face darkened, his eyes narrowing for the fight.


    Alex emerged before Sieg could speak. His sleeves were rolled to his elbows, and he carried a band–


    aid box.


    +15 BONOS


    His expression was stolc as he briefly surveyed Candice, then addressed Sleg. “Where’s the item you


    were


    looking for?”


    Sieg clicked his tongue and exined, “The first ald’s lodine is expired, where else am I supposed to


    find it? Marc’s already asked someone to fetch it. Tell Sonia to wait.”


    Alex acknowledged and returned inside, but not before his gaze fleetingly rested on Candice’s arm in


    Roll’s grip.


    He arched an eyebrow and emitted a barely audible, cool snort.


    Snapping out of it, Candice wriggled free from Roll’s hold and headed to her secluded spot.


    Marc’s requested iodine arrived quickly, as did Jackson.


    The weather was still storming outside, and Jackson was drenched. He spotted Candice in the corner


    and approached.


    “I had to get something for my mom nearby. Sorry for making you wait,” Jackson apologized, aware of


    the tension between Candice and Sieg.


    Watching the downpour outside. Candice asked, “With the rain this heavy, will it stop tonight?”


    Her concern was evident. She was reluctant to spend the night at Marc’s.


    “ording to the weather report, it should clear up in about two hours,” Jackson replied.


    He noticed the marks on Candice’s clothes and frowned. “What happened here?”


    Candice exined indifferently. “Sonia had a fall, and I assisted her. It seems I got the marks from


    that.”


    Jackson rose to his feet, removed his coat and offered it to Candice. “Use this for now.”


    She responded reflexively. “There’s no need, I’ll just change once I’m home.”


    “It’s ufortable to wear dirty clothes,” Jackson insisted, his face serious. “Plus, staying in damp


    clothes. too long could make you unwell. You wouldn’t want your grandfather to worry, right?”


    Candice couldn’t argue with him when he mentioned Joe.


    She epted the coat, thanked Jackson, and wrapped it around her shoulders.


    It was, indeed, a little chilly. The air conditioning was at a cool temperature, and her damp clothes


    made her feel uneasy, so much so that she had tried to avoid the cold air by sitting in a corner.


    Jackson’s expression softened when she put on the coat. He went and fetched a ss of warm water


    for her.


    Candice took the cup, and they sat, chatting.


    Laughter suddenly burst from the billiards room, followed by Sleg’s annoyed voice. “Are you mocking


    me for not bringing a model today?”


    Sieg’s yboy image was well–known in their social circle, as were his escapades with models and


    inte celebrities.


    Candice wasn’t interested in such gossip. She leisurely drank her warm water.


    +15 BONOS


    Marc appeared, greeting Jackson as he returned. “Jake,e on in. We’re cing bets and could use


    more yers.”


    Jackson seemed keen. Candice noticed. “Go enjoy yourself, I’ll stay here a bit longer,” she said.


    *Join us, Candice. It’s really fun,” urged Marc.


    She had no interest in joining Alex’s game and declined with a head shake.


    Respecting her decision, Marc took Jackson into the billiards room.


    Before entering, Jackson quietly told Candice. “Let me know if you need anything.”


    He then disappeared into the room with Marc.


    With most people in the living room now in the billiards room, the area was left to strangers engrossed


    in their phones, creating a tranquil atmosphere with only the sound of the rain outside and intermittent


    Sieg was holding a billiard cue. He looked around. “Anyone up for a game with me?”


    Alex was the first to decline with a mockingment. “Your skills are too poor. It’s no fun.”


    Annoyed, Sieg turned to Jackson. “Jake, how about a game with me?”


    Jackson, ever–amiable, agreed with a nod. “Of course.”


    Without his coat and only in a white shirt, Jackson’s demeanor appeared even more gentle and refined.


    Rolf returned from fetching water and stood by Marc. He looked at Jackson, and quietly spoke to Marc.


    “Is that his girlfriend outside?”


    Marc paused for a moment before realizing Rolf was speaking about Candice. His look was strange.


    “Why do you ask that?”


    “Isn’t that Jackson’s coat she’s wearing? What’s her name? Candice, right?”


    Rolf thought he was speaking quietly, and did not realize the others were listening to every word.


    Sonia tugged at Alex’s sleeve. “Are Candice and Mr. Shyan an item?”


    Alex paused, his deep eyes devoid of emotion. After a moment, he lowered his eyes and responded in


    a cool tone, “I have no idea.”