Chapter 216


    Candice regained her bnce. Her expression, which was directed toward Alex, was also


    dissatisfying.


    Her arm was still aching from the grasp, and she was now being used of instigating trouble. She


    was ovee with a wave of indignation, her features etched with venomous mockery.


    Just as she was about to speak, the sound of footsteps interrupted her, followed by Hanley’s calm,


    deep voice, “What’s going on?”


    Turning toward him, she asked, “Why are you here?”


    “We were waiting for you, and when you didn’t return, I came looking,” Hanley responded,


    maintaining his usual impassive demeanor.


    He cast a brief nce at Alex and Sieg in the distance andmented dryly. “This ce Jackson


    chose isn’t terrific. We shouldn’te back here.”


    With Hanley’s presence, Candice decided to avoid further confrontation with Alex and Sieg. She


    murmured, “Let’s leave. It’s time to head back.”


    Hanley agreed with a nod.


    As they were about to depart, Sieg’s menacing voice echoed from behind, “You’ll regret this.


    Candice.”


    Pausing momentarily, Candice shot a cold look at Sieg and retorted sharply, “Have you ever trained a


    dog? The disobedient ones deserve to be disciplined.”


    Sieg’s expression darkened menacingly as he gazed at Candice, almost as if he hoped he could.


    pull her back with him.


    Observing Sieg’s hostile attitude, Hanley subtly stepped in front of Candice, shielding her from Sieg’s


    intimidating stare. He addressed Candice with a calm tone. “Let’s head back to the car.”


    His voice was audible enough for the others to hear.


    Alex’s gaze intensified, focusing on Candice.


    She bowed her head slightly, gracefully exposing her neck. Despite sensing Alex’s scrutinizing


    eyes, she chose to disregard them.


    Together with Hanley, Candice rejoined Jackson.


    Jackson’s expression turned to concern upon seeing their solemn faces. He asked, “What’s


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    wrong?”


    “Nothing. Let’s go home.” Candice replied briefly.


    “Are you not staying at Hanley’s? You should ride home together.”


    Candice had moved back to Northdale, something Jackson was unaware of. Thus, she had to exin


    herself once more.


    Expressing his concern, Jackson cautioned, “That old neighborhood isn’t very secure, and it’s quite a


    distance. Themute will take up so much of your time.


    Candice calmly responded, “It’s still my home, and Joe has been wanting to return.”


    After further discussion and seeing Candice’s resolved stance, Jackson didn’t insist anymore.


    Candice then left for Northdale alone, finalizing ns with Jackson for the following day. They nned


    to meet at the vi first and then proceed to meet with potential coborators.


    Despite his time away from Dorrington, Hanley had secured several promising clients with Yana’s


    assistance. Their sess here could give them a considerable edge over Dream Search.


    Upon arriving home, Candice found the residents‘mittee busy with maintenance. They greeted her


    warmly.


    With no pressing matters at home, Candice turned off her phone after freshening up. She settled. in


    with an art book, seeking a peaceful end to her day.


    After a good night’s rest, she headed to the vi early the next morning, bringing breakfast for


    everyone.


    Nadia greeted her first, curious, “You’re here early. Aren’t we meeting partners today? I’ve been doing


    this job for a long time, but this is the first time I’m dealing with business ns and


    negotiations.”


    “It’s not a bad thing,” Candice said, “We are just exploring another path.”


    While conversing, Hanley descended the stairs, dressed more formally than usual.


    He acknowledged Candice’s presence with a nod.


    The hastily convened meeting was called to discuss the precise task distribution.


    Hanley stressed the importance of maintaining momentum on the project proposal while also following


    up with potential partners.


    “I’lle with you to follow up with the partners,” offered Candice. “While I’m not a specialist in


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    designing proposals, I do have extensive knowledge of thepanies in Dorrington.”


    Hanley acknowledged this with a nod and said, “Sounds good.”


    Candice apanied Hanley as the others worked on the project proposal.


    Throughout their drive, Hanley maintained a stern demeanor, prompting Candice to grow increasingly


    concerned as she examined the information he had given her.


    She noted, “Thesepanies have rarely been involved in any art or exhibition activities. This


    might be quite challenging.”


    Hanley did not dispute, but instead pointed out. “That’s exactly why securing their coboration would


    be beneficial.”


    Candice saw the reasoning, but she knew it would be easier said than done.


    She attentively read through the documents, pausing on a page about Webrews Group.


    “Isn’t the Webrews Group where Francis is employed? They’ve already agreed to a partnership


    with Dream Search. Why are they included here?”


    As he drove, Hanley rified, “Their agreement with Dream Search isn’t finalized yet. Francis is


    just liaising with them, but no contract has been signed.”


    “So, you n to steal this project away from Francis?” Candice wondered.


    Of course, she wasn’t foolish enough to believe they were only looking to work with Francis. He


    was not the only manager in that big corporation.


    With a knowing smile in his eyes, Hanley steered the wheel single–handedly and smoothly parked


    the car. His tone was casual andid–back, “We’re aiming for coboration. We don’t need to


    resort to any aggressive tactics.”


    This subtle hint wasn’t lost on Candice.


    To her astonishment, Hanley had scheduled a meeting with another Webrews Group manager. Roy


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    Pearce, who seemed pretty approachable.


    Roy appeared to be in his forties, and he was of average height and friendly.


    He greeted them amiably, and after the initial pleasantries, he cautiously approached the main


    subject.


    “It’s ttering that Mr. Baldwin is considering Webrews Group. However, Mr. Moreno is already


    overseeing this project for us, and we’ve initiated discussions with Dream Search. It could be


    problematic to change course now.”


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    His response was predictable.


    Hanley remained stoic but turned to Candice for her input.


    With a slight smile, she responded gently, “Mr. Pearce, we both understand the purpose of our visit.


    Despite Webrews Group being rtively new, its solid financial foundation and rapid development are


    notable. There’s been talk of general manager internal promotions. Having previously worked at Aether


    Corporation, I’m quite familiar with such corporate maneuvers.”


    Candice expressed her point clearly to Roy in a few words.


    He hesitated before asking, “Are you proposing that we challenge the arrangement with Mr.


    Moreno and Dream Search?”


    Candice’s eyes conveyed calm assurance as she softly encouraged him, “Don’t you want to?”


    “But” Roy remained uncertain.


    Candice did not pursue it further. She presented theparative data, suggesting. “Perhaps you


    should think it over.”


    “Even with my agreement, executing this n might prove difficult,” Roy expressed, his toneced with


    a hint of regret as he gently shook his head.