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

Chapter 0406

Barox's words had a significant impact.

Alex's eyes turned colder as he directed his icy gaze toward Barox. The tension in his jawline indicated his foul mood.

Barox continued, stating, "Maintaining a sense of boundaries is fundamental social etiquette for adults."

Observing Alex's darkening expression, Sawyer scowled and directed a question to Candice, "Who is he?"

He subtly signaled to Candice, silently urging her to intervene and stop Barox's remarks.

Pretending not to notice Sawyer's plea, Candice simply reached out and tugged at Barox's clothes, suggesting softly, "Let's go."

Barox turned to glance back at Alex before responding, "I'll walk you. I'm worried."

Candice questioned, "Concerned about what, exactly?"

"About you and the baby," Barox replied naturally.

Candice felt an uneasy sensation about their conversation and didn't pursue it any further.

True to his word, Barox accompanied her to the conference hall.

Upon reaching the entrance, they encountered Yondu, who inevitably asked about Barox's identity.

By midday, the news of Candice having a boyfriend in his third year of university had circulated among everyone.

Angela was the first to approach Candice, expressing, "Sis, you're quite something. He's still in university. Oh, my! You're truly an inspiration for us all."

Having been questioned about Barox several times that morning, Candice found the situation increasingly bothersome. She remarked, "If you spend some time on any university campus, you could find someone just like him."

Seated beside her, Angela animatedly shared, "You're right. My last boyfriend was also in college. He was as clingy as a puppy."

While they conversed, Yondu went to the entrance of the conference room to escort Abel inside. Today's session was scheduled with Abel and Daxton.

Candice observed Abel's gentle demeanor, causing her to slightly furrow her brow.

The fact that Abel had tripped the lab's circuit breaker puzzled Candice. However, she knew better than to confront Abel directly.

"What are you looking at?" Angela nudged her arm curiously, asking, "Why are you staring at Mr. Franklyn? You seem fixated on him. Your young boyfriend isn't handsome enough to get your full attention?"

Candice turned to Angela and asked, "Do you know Abel well?"

"Why do you ask?" Angela responded, puzzled by the sudden question. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Candice's gaze flickered as she explained, "He's been very supportive of me lately, and I want to express my gratitude, but Yondu won't reveal anything to me."

Angela paused to consider before replying, "There isn't much to tell, really. Mr. Franklyn may seem well on the surface, but everyone knows he leads a more exhausting life than most."

"His wife was in a car accident a few years ago and has been hospitalized ever since. I believe she's likely in a vegetative state now. It's no secret; most people at Solaris are aware of it. I doubt Mr. Franklyn would mind people knowing. Don't worry about it."

Curious, Candice probed, "How did his wife end up in a car accident?"

"Who knows?" Angela shrugged. "Besides, Abel is a strong advocate for the DINK lifestyle. With no children and his wife in her condition, it's understandable why he only has Yondu in his lab. He treats Yondu like his own son."

After Angela left, Candice mulled over her words, particularly about Abel's wife's accident.

If Angela's account was accurate, with Abel being childless and deeply committed to his career, it made little sense for him to have any motive to target Alex, especially considering Alex's company had previously invested in Abel's studio.

Lost in her thoughts, Candice remained preoccupied until the afternoon.

When Candice and Angela exited the conference hall, they spotted Barox waiting with juice in his hand.

Angela nudged Candice and remarked, "Looks like your young boyfriend is here to pick you up."

Barox approached them and handed the juice to Candice, remarking, "I noticed many people buying this on my way here."

Candice, who hadn't had milk tea or juice since her university days, raised an eyebrow slightly.

Before she could respond, Angela's excited voice chimed in beside her, "Wow! This is from that internet-famous shop lately. It's always packed whenever I go!"

Looking at Candice with envy, Angela continued, "You're so lucky."

Candice smiled as she accepted the juice and asked, "Did Yana tell you to get this?"

Barox nodded, saying, "She insisted it's a must for my girlfriend."

With Angela gone, Candice spoke more freely and teased, "So, when are you planning to give it to her?"

She had experienced love before and could sense something different about Barox's feelings for Yana.

Glancing at the words on the juice cup, Candice smiled and handed it back to Barox.

Before she could retract her hand, her phone rang.

It was Sawyer calling, asking, "Have you left the conference hall yet?"

"No, I'm still here," she answered.

"Wait there. Mr. Elysian and I are on our way," Sawyer informed her. "Remember the incident earlier where items were thrown from upstairs? We forgot to turn off the camera at that corner, and we're coming with the police to review the footage."

After the call, Candice recalled the teapot incident from earlier. She gazed up at the upper floors. Actually, she had a suspicion, but she was curious about how Alex would explain himself at the time.

Sawyer and Alex arrived promptly.

Candice only discovered later that they had planned to come to the conference hall in the morning after concluding a meeting with a client but had been summoned to the police station.

She had been unaware that Sawyer had filed a police report as no one had informed her.

Barox stayed by Candice's side despite her wish for him to leave.

As Alex exited the car, his eyes fell upon Candice and Barox standing together. Barox, being much taller than her, shielded her, making Candice appear petite and charming.

He continued to observe them and saw Candice look up at Barox. Her eyes reflected a mixture of helplessness and joy. There was an undeniable harmony between them.

Candice looked at Barox and asked softly, "Do you always follow Yana's instructions so diligently? Does she tell you to do everything?"

Barox replied, "She pays me."

"Have you considered the possibility that your salary comes from me?" Candice shook her head and asked, "And why didn't you take my advice?"

Before she could finish, footsteps approached from behind.

A man's voice broke the moment, saying, "The cops have arrived. Shouldn't we go upstairs and check the surveillance footage?"

Candice and Barox instantly became serious. She turned to Alex and said, "Understood."

The evening sun set earlier in the winter. Amidst the twilight mist, a streetlight cast its glow and lit the empty space between Candice and Alex. It appeared to have drawn a clear boundary between them.

Candice and Barox stood on one side while Alex stood alone on the other.

Alex's intense gaze lingered on Candice for a moment before he made a sudden movement, almost as if intending to approach her.

However, Candice anticipated his action and swiftly turned around, taking hold of Barox's arm. She urged him, "Let's go upstairs."

Taking Barox's hand, she led him past Alex.

Barox, trailing behind Candice, intentionally held his gaze on Alex's face as they passed.

Meanwhile, Alex stood beneath the streetlamp's glow, appearing calm outwardly. Yet his eyes, already deep and dark, seemed to reflect an infinite expanse of emotionless hollowness.