Chapter 285


    Candice had just arrived, and her footsteps paused slightly as she turned to look at Sawyer.


    Sawyer’s tone was overly weing just now. He awkwardly cleared his throat and said, “Mr. Elysian


    is afraid ofmunication issues, so he wanted to wait until everyone was present before. starting the


    meeting. Mr. Baldwin and the others are already in the conference room waiting. You can go ahead; I’ll


    inform Mr. Elysian.”


    Candice nodded and was about to leave. Suddenly, she thought of something and stopped. “After the


    meeting, does Mr. Elysian have any other arrangements?”


    “He’s free in the morning, but he has to attend a forum conference in the afternoon.”


    Sawyer inquired. “Do you have something to discuss with him?”


    “Mm.”


    Candice responded lightly without borating things any further.


    She had just reached the conference room and was about to open the door when it swung open from


    the inside. Ryan, wearing a displeased expression, walked out.


    Seeing her, his brows furrowed. “Why did youe?”


    “Sawyer called me: I had no choice but toe.”


    She looked up at Hanley inside the conference room. Though Hanley appeared calmer than Ryan,


    his expression was still slightly cold.


    Candice asked, “Were you guys waiting here since just now?”


    “What do you think?” Ryan sneered coldly, “As soon as we arrived, we were made to sit here and wait.


    Who do they think they are? Do they think they’re the only ones who own apany?”


    Both Ryan and Nadia came from wealthy and influential families. Working with Hanley was more of an


    interest for them. Originally, due to the incident, they were somewhat at fault, so it was normal toe


    and cooperate for the meeting. However, Alex had left them waiting here for over


    an hour.


    Since Ryan had started working with Hanley, he had never been treated like this. Therefore, his anger


    red up.


    Candice lowered her eyes and spoke softly after a moment, “I should havee with you.”


    Ryan wanted to say something else, but he felt Hanley’s gaze. He paused and muttered, “I’m not


    +15 BONOS


    against you, I just find Aether Corporation too much.”


    “If you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything.” Hanley’s deep voice sounded. He lowered his


    tone, looking at Candice. After a brief pause, he continued, “If Aether Corporation wants to make things


    difficult for us, it will be the same whether youe or not.”


    “So, Mr. Baldwin means I am intentionally making things difficult for you? As soon as Hanley’s


    words fell, the meeting room’s door was pushed open, and Alex’s cold voice came in.


    Candice looked up, and Alex stood expressionlessly at the door, casually looking at them with an


    indifferent gaze.


    Alex’s gaze swept back and forth between Candice and Hanley, then he lightly sneered. “Very well.


    It turns out that the corporate culture at Burning Star Studio is to badmouth partners behind their


    backs.”


    His eyes finally settled on Candice, and the coldness in his eyes deepened. After a moment, he spoke


    without much emotion, “Birds of a feather flock together. I see that you learned the worst


    from Burning Star Studio, even if you didn’t learn anything else.”


    As soon as Alex arrived, he sarcastically criticized them. Candice looked at him, her eyes slightly


    moving. “Aether Corporation doesn’t seem to have a rule of leaving the partner unattended in the


    conference room.”


    Alex paused at her words. His cold and prating gaze was focused on Candice as he said


    without much emotion, “You’re here to defend your new home.”


    After he finished speaking, he sat down in the top position.


    However, Hanley suddenly chuckled, lightly tapping his fingers on the table twice. His deep and


    maic voice sounded, “What are you still standing there for? Sit down; let’s get ready for the


    meeting, Candice.”


    Candice nodded, about to approach, when Alex’s indifferent voice came again, “Wasting time choosing


    seats for a meeting; Mr. Baldwin really doesn’t pay attention to time costs.”


    “Since we’ve already wasted so much time, what’s another minute or two?” Hanley dismissed it


    casually, looking at Candice. “Come over.”


    There was an empty seat in front of her, right next to Sawyer. She hesitated for a moment before sitting


    down in her assigned spot. She looked at Hanley with clear eyes, “I’ll sit here. As Mr. Elysian wishes to


    save time costs, it’s better to resolve the issue sooner. Aren’t you nning to


    visit the building materials marketter?”


    Hanley’s eyebrows twitched. “Sure.”


    Their exchange, though seemingly calm, carried a tension where outsiders couldn’t intervene.


    “Are you done?” Alex, impatient, closed the file in his hand. His eyebrows pressed down, and his face


    showed indifference. “If you’re done, maybe we can discuss the security issues regarding Burning Star


    Studio.”


    Hanley said, “Sure.”


    Alex looked at Sawyer and sinctly said, “Give me the investigation results.”


    Sawyer took out a file, speaking crisply with a hint of regret, “Mr. Elysian had mepile all the


    materials about Burning Star Studio’s design and venue construction for all cooperation exhibitions. We


    also consulted experts on construction. I’m sorry, Mr. Baldwin; many aspects of Burning Star Studio


    may need improvement, and everything needs to be changed.”


    After he finished speaking, he handed the documents to Hanley and Ryan.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    As Candice listened to Sawyer, her expression turned grim. Aether Corporation’s demands were


    Indeed somewhat high-


    As expected, after Ryan finished reading, he spoke with a displeased tone. “What do you mean?


    ording to these standards, there’s no need for Burning Star Studio to n; Aether Corporation can


    do it themselves.”


    Hanley’s gaze turnedpletely cold. “Is Mr. Elysian’s oversight too broad?”


    Alex lifted his eyelids, his voice faint, “Isn’t it because Mr. Baldwin doesn’t pay enough attention to


    security issues? If the incident from that day were to happen again while the audience is viewing the


    exhibition, who should take responsibility? Burning Star Studio or Aether Corporation?”


    “That incident was just an ident, and it happened at the construction site.”


    Alex sneered, “I am an investor: I cannot afford idents.”


    The atmosphere in the meeting room became tense. The expressions of Hanley and Ryan were.


    not good. Candice bit her lip and looked at Alex, “Mr. Elysian, things will rebound when taken to


    the extreme. Moreover, Burning Star Studio is all about creativity. If the control is too strict, the


    presented results may not be as you desire.”


    Alex gave her a faint nce, and Candice met his gaze with a tense expression.


    The surroundings seemed to quiet down with only Alex’s dark eyes resembling a deep pool.


    She abruptly withdrew her gaze, her lips parted, but she didn’t know what to say.


    Alex broke the silence. “These are just modification suggestions from Aether Corporation.


    +15 BONDS


    Whether to adopt them or not is up to you. However, I see that you all are not as willing to cooperate as


    you im,”


    He stood up expressionlessly, “Sawyer, see them off.”


    This meeting was clearly unpleasant for both sides.


    Sawyer looked at Hanley and Ryan, “Please, the two of you.”


    He then turned to Candice, and she calmly asked, “He doesn’t have any work arrangementster,


    right?”