Chapter 212


    Helen was known for her difficult temperament, always exuding arrogance and speaking in a manner


    that was both harsh and unpleasant.


    Candice was not surprised. Helen caught her eye as she turned away and entered the office.


    The annoyance on her face hardened further as she sneered, “Good things rarelye alone, while


    misfortunes tend to cluster.”


    Sonia saw Candice and understood that she had heard what Helen had just said. Her expression grew


    rigid with difort.


    Candice was the only one who remained calm in the embarrassing scenario. She marched straight into


    the office, pretending she hadn’t heard Helen’s mockery.


    Dr. Brooks weed her warmly, saying, “Your grandfather is recovering well, but surgery is certainly


    taxing on the body, so rest is essential. Given his particr situation, we believe it is preferable for him


    to remain in the ICU for another two weeks. What are your thoughts?”


    The expense of the ICU was exorbitant, and family approval was essential.


    She consented and received several forms from Dr. Brooks for the necessary payments and


    procedures.


    Exiting the office, she was intercepted by someone.


    Once a novice, Sonia now stood in a professional suit. Her hair was curled and draped over her


    shoulders, radiating the confidence of a seasoned urban professional.


    Contrastingly, Candice had been busy with hospital visits and had had little time for personal upkeep.


    She was d in a in shirt and trousers, her long hair tied back simply..


    Sonia averted her gaze and smiled gently. “It’s really you,” she said, her voice tinted with pride. “I


    hardly recognized you at a nce.”


    With a hint of surprise, she added, “You’ve changed quite a bit since leaving thepany.”


    Candice detected mockery in her remarks.


    She stood taller than Sonia, but Sonia’s high heels today gave her a taller appearance, while Candice


    had opted for practical t shoes.


    When Sonia spoke to Candice, she deliberately looked down on her and exuded an air of


    superiority.


    +15 BONOS


    Expressionless, Candice briefly appraised Sonia and replied coolly, “You didn’t change much.”


    Sonia’s face tensed as she pondered what Candice’s remarks meant. She instantly regained her calm


    and realized she had nothing to be terrified of.


    Candice had gotten herself into such a mess. She wasn’t likely to return to Aether Corporation. There


    was no serious rivalry.


    Sonia’s smile widened subtly, and she casually mentioned, “I heard someone in your family is


    hospitalized, right? What a coincidence! Lex asked me to apany his mother for an


    examination.”


    Candice’s response was a pointed look and a simple, “Coincidence?”


    Sonia paused.


    Candice gave her an icy stare before turning to go.


    Sonia was only there to brag, stressing her close rtionships with Alex and Helen. Candice was


    uninterested in her theatrics.


    “It’s my birthday next week,” Sonia said as Candice walked away. “Lex is throwing a party for me. Are


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    youing?”


    Candice remained silent, recognizing theck of a genuine invitation.


    Yet, thoughts of Alex lingered. Her expression darkened slightly, acknowledging the need for a


    conversation with him.


    After paying at the reception, Candice tried calling Alex, only to receive no answer.


    Frowning, she briefly hesitated before heading directly to Aether Corporation.


    En route, she reached out to Ka for Alex’s whereabouts.


    Ka informed her, “Mr. Elysian is in the office but is engaged in discussions with a foreign


    With this information, Candice proceeded straight to the office, determined to resolve her matters.


    Initially, Candice intended to wait on the ground floor, but then she received a message from Ka


    indicating that the visitors from the foreign enterprise had departed and she could proceed


    upstairs.


    Understanding Alex’s busy schedule, Candice had just one issue to discuss with him and didn’t


    wish to prolong it.


    +15 BONOS


    She made her way directly to the CEO’s office, where she found only Sawyer.


    Candice gave him a brief side nce. Previously, Sawyer was often out on field assignments, but it


    appeared he now spent more time in close proximity to Alex.


    Upon her arrival, Sawyer wasn’t surprised. He greeted her and then proceeded to acquire Alex’s


    signature on some documents.


    Candice followed him into the office.


    Alex was engrossed in some paperwork. He looked up as Candice entered, his gaze cold and piercing.


    He questioned, “Who allowed you to enter?”


    Candice disregarded the document he was working on and spoke in a soft tone, “I need a moment


    with you.


    “Do you have an appointment?”


    She hesitated briefly before responding. “It will only take five minutes.”


    Alex responded with a cold scoff, “Why should I waste five minutes on you?”


    Afterpleting the signature, he passed the document to Sawyer, who then exited the office.


    Alex nonchntly tossed his pen onto the desk and leisurely eyed Candice, questioning. “What gives


    you such audacity?”


    Tightly clutching her hand, Candice faced Alex and said, “Apologies, Mr. Elysian. I just have one


    question. Were you the one who paid for my grandfather’s nursing home expenses?”


    Alex cast his gaze downward, lightly drumming his fingers on the desk, his tone detached.


    “He was good to me.”


    Candice acknowledged with a nod, “I’ve arranged for a refund from Dean Schmidt. The funds will revert


    to Aether Corporation. Please notify your finance staff so that they can look at it.”


    The rhythmic tapping of Alex’s finger ceased. He nced at Candice, his voice t yet edged with


    sarcasm, saying, “So, refusing handouts, I see. It shows you have a spirit.”


    His tone then took on a sarcastic twist, remarking, “Regrettably, it’s pointless and foolish.”


    Candice stood still and processed Alex’s candid remarks, recalling how Alex had been a huge help


    in making Joe’s surgery a sess.


    She briefly closed her eyes, then said, “I appreciate your help, but I’ll manage my family issues myself.”


    +15 BONOS


    Alex emitted an enigmatic, chilly chuckle, its meaning unclear.


    Soon after, he spoke with a cold, mocking tone, “Years pass, yet your naivety remains. It’s


    incurable.”


    Candice’s gaze fell, and she softly stated, “I won’t trouble you any further.”


    Alex’s initially icy demeanor transitioned to one of annoyance amid a swirl of emotions. He fixed his


    stare on Candice and remarked, “Have you been in touch with Greg?”


    At the mention of Greg, Candice’s face clouded over, recalling that Greg had mentioned Alex’s interest


    in Ivor. Why?


    Before she could express her confusion, Alex’s tone became harsh as he mocked, “You said you’d


    handle your family issues. Does that involve sending them to mypany for money? You’re doing a


    great job. Are you involving Greg in bringing Ivor into mypany as well? You’re ying a smart


    game.”


    He spoke with a light, almost dismissive tone.