Chapter 36: Who Is Candy?


    Chapter 36: Who Is Candy?


    Jane''s response was sharp and upromising. "Patrick, enough! Release my hand! Who is this


    Candy?"


    Her stern words acted as a cold shower, abruptly extinguishing Patrick''s fervor. It was clear she


    wasn''t the person he had mistaken for Candy. The real Candy wouldn''t resist him like this.


    Patrick reluctantly let go of her hand andposed himself. His countenance returned to its typical


    cold and aloof demeanor as he picked up the button, asking, "How did my button end up in your


    possession?"


    Jane, still nursing her aching hand, replied indignantly, "You were incredibly drunkst night,


    sprawled on the floor, refusing to get up. I must have identally torn the button off when I was


    helping you upstairs."


    Patrick arched an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "So, you''re the one who brought me to my roomst


    night?"


    "Yes. However, Melissater insisted on helping you. You two appear to be quite close," Jane


    remarked with a sly undertone, hoping to provoke a reaction from Patrick.


    Patrick, however, only had thoughts of Candy on his mind. He viewed Melissa as nothing more than


    a cousin, ignorant of her deeper feelings. Consequently, Jane''s insinuations failed to register with


    him.


    What kept resurfacing in his mind was the vivid memory of the previous night. He knew he had seen


    Candy, despite his inebriation. He had held her hand and exchanged words with her. The events


    were real, yet Jane imed she had been the one to assist him the previous night. It dawned on


    him that the person he had seen wasn''t Candy. But why did she stir the same emotions in him as


    Candy did?


    Suddenly, Patrick rose to his feet with excitement, closing the distance between himself and Jane.


    With a faint smile, he inquired, "Jane, have you ever been kidnapped before?"


    He had never seen such tenderness in his eyes before, and his voice held a bewitching allure.


    However, despite the unusual change in Patrick''s demeanor, Jane remained wary. This was the


    second time he had posed the question, and she was determined to uncover the reason behind his


    fascination with her kidnapping history.


    Nheless, Patrick''s question prompted a hint of irritation. Jane replied resolutely, "Patrick, I don''t


    understand why you keep asking me this. I''ll answer one more time: I''ve never been kidnapped."


    Patrick gazed deeply into her eyes, probing for any hint of falsehood. Jane responded earnestly,


    making it clear that her words couldn''t be fabricated.


    With disappointment etched on his face, Patrick''s enthusiasm waned. Jane seized the opportunity


    to learn more. "Who is Candy, Patrick? Is she the girl you love?"


    "A very important person to me," Patrick responded after a brief pause. He couldn''t bring himself to


    admit his feelings for Candy.


    "Alright," Jane conceded, sensing Patrick''s reluctance to reveal more.


    Perceiving Jane''s indifference, Patrick suddenly posed a question, "Are you jealous?"


    Her reaction was indignant. Jane found Patrick''s presumption about her jealousy utterly arrogant.


    She had no interest in ttering him like countless other women might. Gritting her teeth, she


    snapped, "Patrick, don''t be so full of yourself. I couldn''t care less about your romantic interests. Just


    remember, we have a three-month contractual rtionship. In fact, less than three months now.


    When the contract expires, we''ll be strangers. Understand?"


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    The word "strangers" appeared to strike a nerve with Patrick. It puzzled him why he cared so much


    about this particr aspect. Their engagement had been arranged by their grandfathers, and they


    held no genuine affection for one another. Yet he regarded her as a friend, while she seemed to


    view him as a stranger.


    "Jane, am I truly just a meaningless stranger to you?" Patrick inquired, seizing her arm.


    Confounded by his question, Jane retorted with a shrug, "What else would you be?"


    However, when she noticed that Patrick didn''t intend to let go of her, her annoyance deepened.


    "You''re hurting me, Patrick. Release your grip!"


    But Patrick remained undeterred, mping his fingers around her arm. His expression grew more


    complex, revealing an amalgamation of emotions.


    Startled by the intrusion, a female voice disrupted the room''s silence. Jane and Patrick turned their


    attention to the neer-Florence.


    As Jane nced at Florence, she detected a tinge of jealousy in the other woman''s eyes. Florence,


    displeased with the situation, inquired, "What are you doing, Jane?"


    In a deliberate disy of affection, Jane snuggled up to Patrick, addressing him endearingly. "What


    my fiancé and I are doing is none of your business."


    She turned her gaze to Patrick, assuming an affectionate tone. "Darling, do you agree?"


    The moniker "babe" had a charming quality. Patrick''s previously stoic expression softened slightly,


    though Florence was visibly incensed. Her face reddened with anger as she confronted Jane, while


    Morton, who stood by her side, shifted nervously.


    Morton feltpelled to rify the situation to his boss. "Mr. Pansy, I apologize. I informed Miss


    Doyle that you were busy, but she insisted on entering."


    Patrick, renowned for his indifference, was known to have no tolerance for women intruding on his


    personal space. He rarely engaged in public disys of affection, and such moments were


    exceedingly rare. Morton, thus, sought to escape the ufortable situation as swiftly as possible.


    Nevertheless, Patrick issued a brief wave, signaling for Morton to leave, freeing Jane and Florence


    to carry on.


    Florence took the opportunity to present a matter to Patrick. She moved closer to him with a smile,


    her voice gentle and inviting. "Patrick, we''ve prepared an initial prospectus for the partnership


    between Pansy Group and Doyle Group. I''ve brought it for your review."


    Patrick regarded her with a furrowed brow. "Aren''t you aware that my brother is overseeing this


    partnership?"


    Florence blushed, exining, "He couldn''t make it today, so he asked me to bring it instead."


    In truth, her motive for visiting Patrick was not solely to discuss business. She was ted that he


    had spoken to Jane in such a manner and had sought an opportunity to meet with him.