Chapter 192
Candice’s thoughts were in disarray. When she arrived at the vi gate, she took a deep breath
Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.
and suppressed her emotions.
But as soon as she got out of the car, she coincidentally met Hanley returning..
There was a trace of weariness around his eyes and brows. He seemed taken aback when he saw
her.
Realizing the situation, he furrowed his brow and asked, “How is your grandfather? Any updates?”
“I’ll find another way,” she replied.
“It’s my fault, sorry,” he sighed softly.
Hanley hadn’t been back to the Baldwin family for many years. He returned this time due to work
reasons and hadn’t been in contact with the family for a long time. He vaguely remembered that his
younger aunt had some connections with the Sui family, so he had called her to ask for help.
Unexpectedly, Chad had refused decisively.
“I appreciate your willingness to help, but it’s my own issue. I’ll think of another way.” Candice said
Originally, her grandfather’s matter had nothing to do with Hanley. She appreciated him for being willing
to help, so she couldn’t me him for anything.
Candice pursed her lips, remembering what Nadia mentioned. Her expression turned serious as she
asked Hanley, “Nadia mentioned the cancetion of cooperation for the financial exhibition?”
Bringing up the matter, Hanley’s expression became somewhat unpleasant.
He had been called for a sudden meeting on his way to the hospital today specifically about this matter.
They were on the brink of signing the contract for the exhibition, but suddenly, the other party wanted to
rece their studio.
Seeing Hanley’s expression, Candice’s heart sank even further. “Did they mention the reason?”
“It’splicated to exin,” Hanley was troubled. “Another studio wants to get involved and has
secured intentions from severalpanies in Dorrington City. So, there’s a bit of a standoff now.”
As soon as he said this, Candice understood. The financial exhibition was a decision rted to the
department’s push for economic development and socialization. If they could engage multiple
However, doing so would mean directly pushing Hanley and his team aside.
+15 BONOS
When they returned to the vi, both Nadia and Yana were in the living room.
These people knew a bit more or less about Candice’s family situation. Seeing Candice’s gloomy face,
Nadia poured her a ss of water and handed It to her. “Candice, take a break.”
Ryan then looked at Hanley. “Boss, what’s the situation?”
They had received news in the afternoon but couldn’t contact Hanley, so they were in the dark.
“Another studio wants to take over and has secured cooperation intentions from severalpanies in
Dorrington City. So, the department thinks they’re the better choice,” Hanley calmly repeated what he
had just said.
Hearing this, Ryan felt something was amiss. “Our n is already done and submitted. Isn’t it
inappropriate to change now?”
“So, they want the two studios to coborate,” Hanley exined.
As soon as Hanley’s words fell, someone immediately protested, “What do you mean by a
coboration? It’s clearly a robbery! Are they expecting us to present our n and then p their name
on it?!”
The exhibition nning involved signing and authorship. Having your name on it or being the
secondary contributor had different implications, affecting recognition and reputation.
Everyone wanted to be the lead nner, especially since Hanley and his team had developed the n.
But with the other party aggressively approaching, it seemed challenging.
And this coboration was with the higher department. If sessful, it would greatly benefit any studio,
making it impossible for them to simply give up.
Hanley fell silent too. Meanwhile, Candice, who was watching, suddenly asked, “Is Aether Corporation
among the coboratingpanies?”
After a brief silence, Hanley raised his eyes to look at Candice and nodded slightly.
Seeing this, she nodded and didn’t say much. Her expression became a bit more unpleasant than
before.
She didn’t know if Alex had intentionally nned this, but based on what she knew about him, he was
always meticulous in his actions. That meant he would definitely find a way to make Hanley and his
team abandon this coboration.
The conversation in the living room revolved around the nning, all sounding rather disheartened.
+15 BONOS
It wasn’t until nearly midnight that Hanley forcefully sent everyone back to rest.
Candice stayed behind, sitting still and watching Hanley with a hesitant look. “Would giving up this
coboration have a significant impact on you?”
Hanley was collecting the documents on the table. Upon hearing her question, he paused. “It’s not too
significant. After all, it’s a coboration with the department, so there will definitely be better
opportunities for cooperation.”
Understanding his implication, Candice lowered her eyelids. “Does Aether Corporation’s decision
have a significant impact on this?”
Hanley’s brow slowly furrowed, and in his usually calm eyes, there was an emotion that was hard
to decipher. “Aether Corporation’s decision is their affair. Candice, don’t be foolish. You’ve already
left Aether Corporation.”
As if he had guessed Candice’s intentions, his tone was unusually heavy.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly, “I’m just afraid of causing trouble for you.”
She was in a mental mess right now, worrying whether Alex might be intentionally targeting Hanley
because of her. Although she didn’t believe she held that much importance in Alex’s mind,
she was aware of his current desire to humiliate her.
However, in reality, Candice herself wasn’t sure how she had offended him. Was it because she had
confronted Sonia a few times? She cynically tugged at her lips, feeling a bit self–deprecating.
The next morning, there was a thunderstorm that showed no sign of stopping. Candice checked
the weather forecast, stating the rain would persist for two to three days.
She had an idea and messaged Dr. Brooks on WhatsApp. His reply was prompt, stating that due to the
weather, Chad probably wouldn’t be able to leave Dorrington City!
As she headed downstairs, she found Ryan and the others sitting together working on their
proposal.
Candice was surprised; she had thought they’d be downhearted for a few days due to the financial
exhibition issue, but they seemed fine now.
Seeing her about to leave, Yana expressed concern. “Candice, are you going out? The rain outside is
heavy. Maybe wait for a while?”
Considering the time, Candice shook her head. “I’m going to the hospital.”
As long as Chad was in Dorrington City, she wouldn’t give up. Her grandfather’s illness came first.
+15 BONOS
However, she didn’t expect to receive a call from Ka just as she was halfway there.
Ka sounded awkward. “Candice, can youe to thepany? Your mother is here again.”
Candice hadn’t had time to deal with Yvonne these past few days. Frowning in disbelief, she
asked, “What is she doing at Aether Corporation?”
“She came to thepany early in the morning and went straight to see Mr. Elysian. I don’t know
what’s going on, but I was worried there might be an issue, so I called you immediately.”
Yvonne went directly to see Alex?
Candice furrowed her brow tightly, feeling incredibly distressed and agitated. She didn’t notice the
obscured fence ahead due to the heavy rain and mist.