Chapter 217


    A silent understanding passed between Candice and Hanley as they looked at each other.


    Roy appeared to be torn as he studied the information Candice had handed him.


    “Francis used to work with Aether Corporation,” he groaned heavily, his brows furrowed. “He gets along


    well with several of their junior leaders. This coboration with Dream Search was also discussed with


    them. In essence, it is not fair.”


    Candice had not expected to see the situation from this angle.


    Francis’s ties with Aether Corporation added ayer ofplexity to the situation. Given Aether


    Corporation’s prominence in Dorrington’s finance sector, Dream Search and Webrews Group made an


    easy decision because of their strong backing. It would be stupid to go to less influential


    partners.


    However, Roy had not fully dismissed their suggestion.


    Candice could see he was interested. She talked with him a little longer before departing with


    Hanley.


    “It does appear challenging,” Candice observed, recalling how deals involving Aether Corporation


    never seemed to go smoothly for her.


    Hanley’s expression was hard to read. He simply suggested, “Take it easy. Let’s look into other


    possibilities.”


    They had other potentialpanies to work with, therefore, Candice didn’t say much more.


    Knowing there were other potential coborators, Candice didn’t press the issue any further.


    To her surprise, she received an unexpected call from Lisa.


    Initially, Candice was disappointed that Lisa was now working for Francis. There had been no contact


    between them since Lisa’s indirect approachst time.


    Candice’s brows twitched as she looked at her phone screen.


    “What’s up?” she asked, stepping aside.


    Lisa’s voice was calm amidst the background noise, “Mr. Moreno would like to meet. Can you


    make it?”


    “Francis? What does he want with me?”


    Lisa hesitated. “I’m not sure. Maybe something rted to work.”


    Candice was skeptical but then heard Lisa add in a hushed tone, “He has something he wants to


    show you.”


    A sense of foreboding filled Candice.


    Hanley noticed her furrowed brows after she ended the call. He asked, “Is everything alright?”


    Candice was still reluctant to tell Hanley the truth. So, she responded to Hanley vaguely, “Lisa


    wants to meet, possibly for work.”


    Following that, they met with two more potential coborators. The first went off without a hitch.


    but the second had ties to Francis and, by extension, Aether Corporation.


    Candice found the situation tricky.


    Hanley remained stoic throughout.


    She spected on the way back, “Francis seems to be seizing this opportunity to fortify his


    position within Webrews Group.”


    Candice contemted quietly, eyeing the towering billboards.


    “If the remainingpanies we approach are also linked with Francis and Aether Corporation.


    we’re facing a tough challenge.”


    Unspoken was the fact that Aether Corporation had the backing of the influential Elysian Group.


    Upon returning to the vi, the team, noting the grave expressions on both Hanley’s and Candice’s


    faces, could guess the difficulties they had faced and decided not to press the issue.


    Candice’s stay at the vi was brief. She had already nned to meet Lisa for dinner.


    She left after notifying Hanley about it.


    The chosen restaurant was in the bustling city center.


    Arriving there. Candice found Lisa waiting at the entrance.


    Lisa looked visibly distressed, yet she tried to maintain aposed appearance as she grasped


    Candice’s hand and whispered a caution, “Be careful not to eat anything.”


    Candice cast a nce at her and noticed Lisa’s expression had returned to normal.


    “Mr. Moreno is waiting for you,” Lisa replied, motioning for Candice toe in.


    Francis had a bad reputation within Aether Corporation even after he was fired.


    +15 BONOS


    A few female employees dide forward withints against him, yet these allegations seemed


    to have little impact on his overall image. Francis was very good at maintaining his persona back then.


    Candice’s phone suddenly rang with a notification. She picked it up and saw a spam message. which


    she swiftly erased before heading confidently to the private room.


    The phrase “wolf in sheep’s clothing” was a fitting description for Francis. He wore sses that gave


    him an air of sophistication.


    “I see you’re open to revisiting old times with me,” he replied, looking at Candice with interest.


    Candice responded with a cold demeanor, “We have no past to revisit. You mentioned having


    something to show me. What is it?”


    Instead of answering her query, Francis shifted the conversation. He probed, “Struggling to find a


    suitable job after leaving Aether Corporation? Why not consider Webrews Group?”


    Francis adjusted his sses, enhancing his deceptive disguise. He revealed, “We’ll offer you an


    excellent package.”


    Candice remained silent. Her brows furrowed slightly, then she questioned, “Do you have the authority


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    to make such an offer?”


    Francis revealed, “The president asked me to extend this invitation.”


    Candice immediately understood the broader picture.


    She had been keeping an eye on Webrews Group. They were obviously watching her as well.


    Considering her notable position at Aether Corporation, it was no surprise that others were keen


    to recruit her.


    Following her exit from Aether Corporation, numerous offers hade her way, all of which she had


    declined due to her contract.


    Misreading her silence as interest, Francis reached out to grasp her hand, seeing a personal gain


    in this task.


    Despite being seemingly cast aside by Alex, she remained a stunning woman, and her aloof demeanor


    heightened Francis’s interest.


    Candice deftly evaded his attempt. Her tone was icy, and she said, “If that’s all you have to say. we


    have nothing further to discuss.”


    Francis was amused. He pushed a folder toward her and said, “Perhaps you’d be interested in this?”


    +15 BONOS


    Candice did not reach for the folder. Instead, she gazed at Francis, who appeared to be confident


    in his victory.


    “Interesting. Let’s see.”


    The folder was thin and included only two images.


    Candice’s face grew chilly as she saw the images.


    Upon opening the folder, Candice’s face grew cold at the sight of the photos. They depicted a man. and


    woman in a close embrace, shrouded in dim lighting. The man’s face was obscured, but the woman


    was clearly Candice, her expression adding to the suggestive nature of the image.


    Candice felt a storm of emotions as she nced at them.


    Francis insinuated, “I don’t recall when this was taken, but imagine if it were seen by others…”


    Understanding his veiled threat, Candice recalled that the photo’s background resembled Aether


    Corporation’s office. She had never been in such an intimate situation with Francis during his


    time there.


    Looking up, her eyes were frosty as she confronted Francis, “Spreading false rumors with


    Photoshopped images is illegal.”


    Francis admires her defiance. He loosened his tie, his gaze fixed on her.


    “You can have it checked,” he challenged. “But keep in mind that it is not my reputation that is at


    stake.”