Chapter 197


    Candice nced down at her phone, and her expression froze slightly.


    It was a transfer notification with a substantial amount of money, from the bank ount Aether usually


    paid her sry from.


    A call from Tamia came in, and Candice stepped aside to answer it.


    “Have you received the money? It’s your sry for this month, the bonuses from the previous projects


    that haven’t been settled, and somepensation for the nonpetition agreement. Check the


    amount, and if there’s any issue, let me know. I’m with the finance department right


    now.”


    Candice asked. “Why is there so much money?”


    She did have some outstanding bonuses from a few projects, but it should not add up to this


    much.


    Tamia exined in a peculiar tone. “There’s alsopensation for your termination.”


    They found it strange too. Candice’s resignation procedures were about to bepleted in a few days,


    but suddenly, Mr. Elysian dered her dismissal, and the procedures needed to follow the standard


    protocol.


    Tamia and the others knew Mr. Elysian had originally said, “Aether cannot allow a leech to cling onto it“,


    and now they felt that something was off.


    The matter could have been resolved in a few more days, but Mr. Elysian chose to dismiss her


    suddenly, meaning Candice would be entitled to additionalpensation.


    It almost seemed like Mr. Elysian was intentionally giving her the extra money.


    Tamia would not explicitly tell Candice these thoughts, however. Especially when it involved Mr.


    Elysian.


    Hearing Tamia mention the dismissal, Candice fell into silence.


    It had stille to this.


    Being thrown out like an unwanted dog.


    “Candice, are there any issues? If there are, I can help you resolve it now,” Tamia’s voice came


    through.


    +15 BOHOS


    Candice slowly came back to her senses. “There’s no problem.”


    “Do you have any personal belongings left in thepany? I can have Ka pack them for you,”


    Tamia said kindly. “When I went to see Mr. Elysian today, I overheard Sonia and Julle chatting. It might


    be difficult for you to enter Aether again in the future.”


    Candice never thought that Alex would take action so quickly. She could not describe how she felt and


    could only acknowledge that she heard Ta.


    Tamin sighed and knew that Candice was definitely feeling bad. She decided not to say anything


    more and hung up.


    Tamia found it quite sad. In the past when people had talked about who was the most loyal to Aether,


    everyone felt that it was Candice. Now, unexpectedly, Candice was the first to be


    dismissed.


    Candice held onto her phone, rooted to her spot for some time. Her chest heaved, her breathing. rapid


    for some time before she slowly calmed down.


    As Hanley drove, Candice did not make a sound. Her head leaned against the window, her mind


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    nk.


    If she said that she did not have any feelings toward Aether, it would be a lie. However, her primary


    emotion was still probably dissatisfaction.


    With such an ending


    Candice herself found it pitiful.


    So pitiful.


    She had been run out, just like that.


    Candice could not help but smile to herself mockingly.


    However, perhaps it could be considered a good thing too.


    Candice looked at the transfer notification on her phone. Aether’s employment benefits were very


    good, so thepensation given to Candice was also very generous.


    Abundant enough that she temporarily did not need to worry about her grandfather’s medical


    expenses anymore.


    In this regard, Candice felt that she probably had gotten a good deal.


    Or perhaps, Alex was pitying her.


    After all, this amount of money was not a big deal to him.


    +15 BONOS


    The car stopped in a narrow alley, and Hanley spoke to Candice. “We’re here.”


    Suppressing theplex emotions in her heart, Candice raised her eyes to survey the alley


    before her.


    ck tiles and white walls–a rare sight In Dorrington. Candice currently had no idea where she


    was.


    She looked around. “Where is this?”


    “I grew up here when I was a child.” Hanley frowned slightly. He took an umbre from the car


    and opened it, then held it over Candice’s head. “Let’s go.”


    Hanley led Candice a few hundred meters inside and stopped in front of a house.


    A slightly chubby middle–aged woman happened to being out, holding a basin of water to


    pour out.


    Hanley saw her and called out. “Mrs. Jenkins.”


    Fiona Jenkins looked stunned for a moment. When she took a clear look at Hanley, a smile of surprised


    delight appeared on her face. “Hanley, why did youe back?”


    She pulled Hanley and Candice into the house. It was then that Candice realized it was actually a


    restaurant, with scattered tables and customers eating inside.


    Hanley said, “Mrs. Jenkins‘ cooking is delicious.”


    Candice nodded. “I can smell the aroma.”


    Fiona then looked at Candice. “Oh, Hanley, you brought your girlfriend?”


    Hanley whispered, “She’s not a girlfriend, just a friend.”


    Fiona raised her eyebrows with a knowing nce, looking amused. She led them to à table and said,


    “All right, Hanley’s friend is my friend. I’ll treat you to dinner today!” she dered, and went into the


    kitchen.


    Only then did Candice ask Hanley, “You mentioned earlier that you grew up here as a child?”


    “Yeah, my grandfather’s house is nearby. My mom used to bring me here often when I was a child.


    Candice vaguely remembered that Jackson had mentioned before that Hanley’s mother was


    abroad.


    She asked, “Is your mom still abroad?”


    “She’s overseas for treatment.”


    “What illness does she have?”


    +15 BONOS


    Initially Candice had brought up the topic to chat with Hanley casually, but at her question he suddenly


    fell silent. After a moment, he spoke. “She lives in a mental hospital, her mental state is


    very poor.”


    Candice was stunned for a moment. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”


    Whenever Hanley mentioned his mother, he would always fall silent. Now Candice did not know what


    to say either, so they both remained quiet.


    Their conversation only began to restart when Flona served the dishes.


    Fiona’s culinary skills were indeed good. “Chicken noodle soup. It’s very nourishing.”


    Candice thanked her, and then she heard Hanley slowly speak.


    “Even this meal can’t make you a little happier, huh?”


    Candice stopped and looked at Hanley. “I’m not unhappy.”


    “Then do you not want to eat because your hand hurts?” Hanley frowned slowly, apparently conflicted.


    “It’s the first time I’ve taken a girl out for a meal alone. I didn’t think it through. I should have taken you


    to the hospital first.”


    He looked serious and conflicted. Candice, after a moment of surprise, burst into a lightugh.


    “Are you doing this on purpose?” she asked.


    “On purpose? Doing what?”


    Candice shook her head. Now, her appetite had improved quite a bit. She ate noticeably faster.


    Hanley, on the other hand, did not eat much, only ncing at Candice from time to time.


    After the meal Fiona insisted on not taking any money, stating it was her treat. She sighed while looking


    at Hanley. “Hanley, how has your mom beentely?”


    Hanley nodded. “Much better than before.”


    “Your grandfather was sick not long ago. You know how stubborn he is. We kept telling him to contact


    you, but he refused. If you have time, go visit him.” She paused then added, “Bring your girlfriend too.


    When older people see that their descendants have a partner, it eases their minds.”


    Candice initially thought that Hanley would have a deep emotional connection with his