My Mirror Image by Maybe Not (Candice And Alex’s)

Chapter 0337

Hanley's gaze was intense and impossible for Alex to ignore.

Alex stood outside the fence. Meeting Hanley's gaze, the look in his eyes revealed a determination to not back down.

There was a clear unspoken standoff between the two.

"You seem pretty relaxed, Hanley. Not worried about Caspian pushing you out of the family business, aren't you?" It was Sieg's voice, laced with sarcasm, that cut through the air as he nonchalantly lit up a cigarette.

A slight frown crossed Hanley's face. He subtly positioned himself to shield Candice before coolly replying, "I see Caspian's been putting on airs lately. It turns out that he has secured the Frowlers' support.”

Sieg's response was a dismissive chuckle. "Well, it's just a mutually beneficial partnership." He took a drag of the cigarette, letting out a spreading cloud.

Candice was hypersensitive to the smell of cigarettes. When the aroma floated toward her, she felt sick and reflexively stepped back. Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.

Hanley observed how uncomfortable she was. He was momentarily stunned and then shielded her nose with his hand, offering her a momentary respite.

Repressing her unease, Candice fixed her gaze on him.

"Go inside if you're unwell," Hanley urged gently.

Despite being continually engaged in laborious activity, Hanley always had a pleasant aroma with a tinge of mint with him, which was comfortable for Candice.

Candice lowered her gaze. Her gaze followed the lines of his palm. "Thank you."

They communicated intimately and appeared to be unaware of their surroundings.

Alex's face remained impassive, but the chill in his gaze deepened, and not even the rising sun could melt it.

As Candice felt the chill of his steely gaze, the sight of Alex further complicated her already chaotic thoughts.

Without glancing at Alex, she gently murmured to Hanley, "I'll go inside. We can talk later."

"Sawyer mentioned that your studio hasn't submitted the proposal and summary," Alex suddenly spoke out before she departed. "You don't seem to be in a hurry for the funding."

Candice froze briefly before turning to face Alex.

The two documents had previously been agreed upon. Aether Corporation would process the payment after they submitted it. But Ryan hadn't had time to finish everything because of the unexpected start of work in the department, so Candice had to wait to submit them to Aether Corporation.

"I'll have them delivered in a few days," Candice assured quietly. She sounded exhausted. Her gaze was fixed on the tree behind Alex.

Candice was still processing the news of her pregnancy and wasn't ready to act as if nothing had happened with Alex.

Alex seemed to pick up on it. His demeanor grew colder, and he spoke coldly. "My grandfather invited you for dinner, but it seems unnecessary now."

The mention of Shawn brought a wave of complexity to Candice's expression. She was becoming increasingly hesitant to meet Shawn. More complications may arise if the old man learned she was carrying Alex's child.

Hanley adjusted the coat on her shoulders and urged in a reassuring voice, "It's a little cold in the morning. Go inside before you catch a cold."

Candice did not want to engage with Alex any further. She offered a quick nod and went inside.

Alex watched as she vanished into the yard. What was going through his head was hard to decipher from the depths of his dull, profound eyes.

Hanley carefully observed his reaction. After that, he asked in a gentle tone, "Mr. Elysian, is there anything else?"

Alex shifted his gaze to him.

"In addition, Mr. Elysian should be aware that Candice will not be acting as the liaison between the project and Aether Corporation any longer," Hanley said, his contempt hardly concealed. "I'll have Ryan take over."

Alex's gaze sharpened and narrowed dangerously. His aura grew oppressive. "My company doesn't accept sudden personnel changes."

"So? Is this your way of becoming involved with her?" Hanley rebuked; the ridicule in his eyes was clear.

Alex stared at him intently.

Hanley couldn't deny that Alex was particularly irritating to him now, more so than ever before. Even the small gestures he made when Candice was around were done deliberately for Alex to see.

"Ever familiar with the term 'obsession' Mr. Elysian?” Hanley asked icily. “Surely the head of a major corporation would not lower themselves to the level of obsessiveness over an ex-employee who had been fired?"

A gentle breeze wafted through the yard.

Alex's stern expression took on an even sharper edge. With an unusually hostile tone, he turned to Hanley and confronted him, "Are you challenging me?"

Hanley gave a scornful laugh and replied, "Why would I?"

Having said that, he retreated to the villa.

Sieg watched Hanley walk away. He commented with a tsk, "Quite the defiance from Hanley."

Alex kept his gaze fixed on the yard. His expression was as icier than the glacier that had stayed frozen for millennia.

Sieg gently patted his arm to comfort him. After a brief pause, he urged, "Let's go! Jessica is waiting for you at home."

-

Upon her return to the villa, Candice wasted no time making her way to the study.

Hanley soon followed her inside. He brought her a glass of warm water and placed it on the table. He insisted, "Drink some warm water. I don't want you to catch a cold."

Candice lifted her gaze to his, but Hanley avoided making eye contact.

"Hanley…" She began to speak but then stopped.

Hanley was silent for a while before finally turning to her.

To meet his gaze, she had to slightly angle her head as Hanley stood while she was seated. Her eyes glimmered with emotion.

Hanley stared into her clear and beautiful eyes. A complicated emotion, incomprehensible to those around him, gradually took shape in his almond eyes.

He swallowed hard before speaking in a raspy tone, "You don't like him anymore, do you?"

The morning sun shone brightly outside, and a soft breeze blew through the window.

Candice peered into Hanley's eyes and noticed the caution and probing that were lurking behind. Out of nowhere, she was rendered speechless. Ultimately, her pregnancy was known only to Yana and Hanley, who kept it a secret from everyone else.

Candice herself had adjusted to the situation quickly. After the decision to keep the child was made, she saw no need for any additional hesitation.

-

Jackson was still pursuing Francis's case. Initially, Candice had intended to meet Francis, but due to her pregnancy, she opted against it.

Following more detailed examinations, the doctor advised Candice to be extra cautious due to her physical condition. Instead of visiting Francis, Candice was unexpectedly approached by Xavier.

Xavier reached out to her via text, stating, "I possess something you desire. Just come and see me."

Initially, Candice contemplated disregarding his message, but Xavier then sent a photograph. It depicted Sonia and Francis standing together, captured discreetly near the hotel's side entrance, where the drugging incident occurred.

After a brief moment of indecision, Candice agreed to meet Xavier.

As she departed, she encountered Jessica and Alex at the entrance of the villa.