Chapter 223


    The steady footsteps echoed clearly in the tranquil environment, causing Candice’s heart to skip a


    beat as she looked up.


    Following from behind Alex were Sawyer and a middle–aged man with a cold expression, whose gaze


    scanned between Candice and Francis.


    Francis froze abruptly upon hearing Alex’s voice.


    “Mr. Moreno seems to be in high spirits.” Alex’s gaze lingered on Francis, his tone devoid of much


    emotion. “Looks like you’ve been doing quite welltely?”


    Candice had regained herposure. She clenched her clothes and then nced back at Alex.


    puzzled as to why he was there..


    However, Alex noticed her gaze and turned his dark, deep eyes toward her, revealing an indiscernible


    emotion. His tone carried a hint of mockery. “Candice, you’ve given me quite a few


    surprises.”


    His ‘surprises‘ weren’t meant aspliments.


    She pursed her lips and was about to speak when suddenly Francis reacted.


    He put on an innocent smile and spoke up. “What a coincidence! Alex, you’re here too. How about


    dining togetherter?”


    After saying this, he nced slyly at Candice, adding, “However, Ms. Renault and I have some


    personal matters to discuss. I’m afraid you might have to wait a bit.”


    He emphasized the word ‘personal‘ in an ambiguous manner, with his eyes showing mixed


    emotions toward Candice.


    It was hard for others not to misinterpret.


    The atmosphere seemed to freeze instantly. Alex narrowed his eyes; his tall stature naturally gave


    off an air of superiority as he nced down.


    However, Francis decided to add, “You’re aware of my past rtionship with Candice. She’s also


    someone I’ve helped bring up.”


    He wore a pleasant smile, but his words were diforting, hinting at an improper rtionship


    between him and Candice. Francis deliberately said this to embarrass her and perhaps disgust


    Alex.


    15 BONOS


    Deep inside, Francis harbored resentment toward Alex for having him fired from thepany back


    then. During that time, Aether Corporation was about to promote a new batch of middle management,


    and he had a good chance. However, Alex used that as an excuse to dismiss him.


    He had heard various things about Candice and Alexter on, further solidifying his belief that


    Alex was deliberately targeting him.


    So, he wanted to disgust him now, to let him know that the women he had slept with had long


    been yed by others.


    Listening to Francis’s words, Candice understood what he meant. She coldly lifted her eyes without any


    expression and replied, “Mr. Moreno’s shamelessness has truly enlightened me. You’re hoping that


    Webrews Group and Dream Search can protect you so that you won’t end up


    being the scapegoat againter.”


    Francis’s face darkened, a sh of cruelty in his eyes. However, in front of Alex, he didn’t vent it out.


    Instead, he sighed helplessly, saying, “Candice, why bother? I know it’s been tough for you after


    leaving Aether Corporation, but I’m just a low–level manager. How could I possibly bring you


    into Webrews Group? Even if you’ve mentioned such conditions, it’s impossible.”


    Candice’s expression grew colder, yet she could sense an even more chilling gaze fixed on her


    from above.


    She took a deep breath, understanding that dealing with someone like Francis was futile in a war of


    words unless she could directly deal with him.


    She pursed her lips and was about to leave. Unexpectedly, Alex, who had been silent, suddenly


    sneered, “Candice, it seems like Hanley can’t give you what you want. That’s why you keep going


    back, relying on yourself to exchange favors everywhere?”


    Candice paused, but he didn’t look at her again.


    Instead, he stared at Francis, who was still standing in front of him. His face was chillingly cold.”


    Francis, did you forget what I told you before?”


    His voice was low, carrying an authority that brooked no resistance.


    Francis’s face changed, remembering something, his expression immediately faltering. He nced at


    Alex and then at Candice.


    Candice, with an expressionless face, picked up her phone, “I just remembered that I still have Mr.


    Jordan’s contact information in my phone. Maybe I can send him a gift.”


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    Francis’splexion changedpletely this time. Unable to vent his frustration, he gritted his


    teeth and left.


    +15 BONOS


    Once he had left, Candice finally breathed a sigh of relief. The reason she hadn’t brought out the


    recording earlier was because there were only the two of them, and she feared he might act


    impulsively.


    But now, as she watched Francis leave, she felt that he needed a lesson.


    Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the presence beside her until Alex’s cold and deep voice rang


    out. “So reluctant to part ways with him?”


    He stood a few steps away from her, staring at her with his dark eyes.


    Candice’s face darkened slightly. She didn’t believe Alex couldn’t pick up on Francis’s deliberate


    attempts to disgust her.


    She lowered her gaze, slightly shifting away from him, and said in a cold tone. “I have other matters to


    attend to. I won’t disturb you any further, Mr. Elysian.”


    Alex hade here with Fredrick for fishing. Fredrick hadn’t worked with Candice during his


    coboration with Aether Corporation, so he wasn’t familiar with her.


    He asked Alex, “Is thisdy a friend of yours?”


    “No.” Alex’s response was quite straightforward, but he paused for a moment before sneering.” One of


    the candidates for the financial exhibition in Dorrington recently. She wishes to coborate with Aether


    Corporation.”


    Candice looked at him and heard him say, “How foolish of her to overreach.”


    Fredrick nodded in agreement, adding, “Such clingy attitudes can indeed be annoying.”


    Listening to his disdainful tone, Candice closed her eyes briefly before speaking up, “Mr. Elysian,


    Burning Star sincerely wishes to coborate with Aether Corporation. I hope you won’t use this


    tone to undermine us.”


    Alex nced at her lightly, “Undermine? I’ve said it before, I have no interest in anything discarded. But


    let me remind you, don’t end up reaping what you sow and find yourself in his


    shoes-”


    “Candice!” Before Alex could finish his sentence, Hanley’s voice came from afar. He had just finished a


    call and happened to pass by, seeing Candice being stopped by Alex.


    He hurried over, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. “Are you alright?”


    Candice’splexion wasn’t great, and her lips were slightly pale from being bitten. She shook her


    head and asked in a low voice. “Why did youe over?”


    Hanley didn’t reply immediately. After confirming that she was indeed fine, he raised his eyes and


    stared straight at Alex, his voice cold and heavy, “Mr. Elysian, I thought respecting people is a


    necessary courtesy for a leadingpany like Aether Corporation.”


    Alex’s eyes were filled with mockery. “Courtesy?”


    He exuded the air of a long–standing superior. When he looked down at people expressionlessly. he


    appeared arrogant and imposing.


    Still Hanley didn’t back down. He faced the cold gaze from Alex as he countered, “Is insulting woman


    something that makes you feel aplished?”


    Once this was said, Alex’s facepletely darkened. He said coldly, “Mr. Baldwin has a lot of time to


    care about others. It seems like everything at home has been settled?”